Russell Crowe has been given the seal of approval for his directorial debut The Water Diviner after the drama landed the coveted Best Picture prize at the Australian version of the Oscars on Thursday (29Jan15).

The Water Diviner took the top prize at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, but shared the title with horror movie The Babadook.

After accepting the award via video link, Crowe wrote in a post on Twitter.com, "Oh Lordy!! (The Water Diviner) just won best film at the Aacta (Australian academy)..."

Crowe lost out on the Best Direction prize to The Babadook's Jennifer Kent and he was pipped to Best Lead Actor by Charlie's Country star David Gulpilil, but The Water Diviner clawed one back with Yilmaz Erdogan winning Best Supporting Actor.

The Babadook also took the Best Original Screenplay, Predestination's Sarah Snook was awarded Best Lead Actress, and Susan Prior landed Best Supporting Actress for The Rover.

Colin Firth's drama The Railway Man was named Best Adapted Screenplay and The Lego Movie won a visual effects prize.

Australian actress Rose Byrne was feted for her Hollywood career with the Aacta Trailblazer Award and received tributes from her Damages co-star Glenn Close and Bridesmaids' Kristen Wiig.

In the Tv categories, the winners included Aussie drama series The Code, which scooped four prizes, and comedy show Please Like Me, which landed two.

The trophies were handed out at a ceremony in Sydney, Australia.

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