Mel Gibson wins the AACTA for Best Direction 14 years after his last Australian film award as Hacksaw Ridge takes home NINE trophies

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It's the night of all nights for the Australian film and television industry. 

And on Wednesday evening, some of the big names in the sector came together for the sixth AACTA Awards ceremony in Sydney. 

At the event, Mel Gibson received the award for Best Direction Film, 14 years after his last Australian film award, as his latest film Hacksaw Ridge took home nine trophies. 

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Winning big: Mel Gibson received AACTA for Best Direction on Wednesday, 14 years after his last Australian film award as his latest film Hacksaw Ridge took home nine trophies

Mel's prestigious award also comes 20 years after he received an Oscar for Best Director for his iconic film, Braveheart.

After receiving his award, the actor choked up with emotion as he thanked Australia for their support. 

'Thank you. Thank you, so honoured. I need to thank Australia for making this film. All the way up and down the line, I mean it's a home-grown thing. 

Proud moment: After receiving his award, the actor choked up with emotion as he thanked Australia for their support 

Honoured: He gushed: 'Thank you. Thank you, so honoured. I need to thank Australia for making this film. All the way up and down the line, I mean it's a home-grown thing'

'It's where I started. Everyone from the Government, who is so supportive of their talent and their artists here, Film Australia, Film NSW, the cast and crew the calibre of which it's as good or better than anywhere in the world. 

'I'm not the only one who wants to make films here all the time, Ridley Scott said the same thing, he loves it here, it is truly great.

'I'm really honoured and choked up, I can't even talk. I'm honoured to receive this. Thank you all for bestowing this.'  

Hacksaw Ridge also took out the award for Best Film on the night.

Australian Producer Paul Currie spoke on behalf of his American counterpart, Bill Mechanic, saying on-stage: '[Bill] is very grateful and he says that we are all very grateful for this award...I have said it many times but Hacksaw Ridge might never have gotten made without the support. 

'Thank you all for bestowing this': Mel continued: 'I'm really honoured and choked up, I can't even talk. I'm honoured to receive this.

Long time coming: Mel's prestigious award also comes 20 years after he received an Oscar for Best Director for his iconic film, Braveheart

'We need to firstly thank the superb Aussie cast, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, soon-to-be new mum Teresa Palmer, the great Hugo Weaving and Rachel Griffiths.'

Mel added: 'I am a pretender on this I am not a producer on this, I am just up here...but I would like to say a couple of words about Bill Mechanic and his ability to... 

'He really got his hands dirty on this, he is something. I have never met a producer that works so hard and he gets dirty.'  

The film's Andrew Garfield won the award for Best Lead Actor Film, while his co-star Hugo Weaving took home the AACTA for Best Supporting Actor. 

Through a video link, Andrew gushed about working alongside Mel in the film while thanking him for his on-going support and guidance.

Collecting them: Mel's film Hacksaw Ridge also took out the award for Best Film on the night

'[This is] a real honour and this film it wouldn't have been the film that it is without Mel. Mel's brilliance, Mel's passion, Mel's ability to make everyone feel as valuable as each other. The Australian in hill, that good leader.' 

He continued: 'I'm so thankful to him, truly thank you, it's just a pure pleasure to make this film.' 

Hacksaw Ridge stars Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan went on to win the AACTA for Best Original Screenplay.

In the pair's acceptance speech, Andrew praised Mel, saying: 'Mr Gibson, my God, nice to have you back in the game. You're a terrifying talent.

'I'm staggered by the quality of the Australian talent that came with this project.'  

Odessa Young won Best Lead Actress at just eighteen, while Miranda Otto received her first AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Excited: Samuel Johnson took home the gong for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama in Channel Seven's Molly

Adding to his collection: In 2001 won, Sam won the AFI Award (now the AACTAs) for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for his appearance in The Secret Life Of Us

Australian producer and director Eva Orner's documentary, Chasing Asylum received the AACTA for Best Feature Length Documentary.

Eva used the opportunity to address the asylum issue within Australia, saying: 'Brave whistle-blowers risked jail term to expose what is happening at Nauru and Manus ...under the Border Force act it's a crime with two years jail to speak out about the camps.

'The Government must repeal this legislation. Legislation like this is a threat to all of us including all documentary film makers and story tellers who just want to tell stories about what is happening in our country. 

'We can all go to jail for the film we have made. We haven't because powerful and smart lawyers like Stephen Glass who is here tonight have protected us all.'

Commemorated: Also on the night, Australian Hollywood actress Isla Fisher was honoured with the AACTA Trailblazer Award

Swipe: During her acceptance speech, the 40-year-old took a swipe at Donald Trump as she thanked the politician for 'showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things...'

She emotionally continued: 'The Government has to repeal this legislation. If people witness sexual abuse of children on Nauru and they speak out they can go to jail for two years. It's not a democracy, we live in a democracy, this has to stop.

'The Government has to shut the camps and bring the refugees here.'   

Also on the night, Australian Hollywood actress Isla Fisher was honoured with the AACTA Trailblazer Award. 

Funny: Earlier in her speech, she also made fun of his wife as she read a statement from Michelle Obama's speech, saying: 'I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success I should try'

Toasting to success: Acting legend Paul Hogan also received the AACTA Longford Lyell Award during the ceremony

During her acceptance speech, the 40-year-old took a swipe at Donald Trump as she thanked the politician for 'showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things..'

Earlier in her speech, she also made fun of his wife as she recited line from one of Michelle Obama's speech, saying: 'I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success I should try.'

Acting legend Paul Hogan also received the AACTA Longford Lyell Award during the ceremony. 

Meanwhile, artist and director Lynette Wallworth was the recipient of the Byron Kennedy Award.

Collecting their price: Foxtel's Wentworth received Best Television Drama Series

For television, Elizabeth Debicki received Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama for her role in Foxtel's The Kettering Incident.  

Samuel Johnson went on to take home the gong for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama in Channel Seven's Molly. 

When accepting his award, the actor was lost for words as he simply said: Thank you to Molly for backing me in and...I should have worked out a speech.'

The Kettering Incident won the AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Mini Series while popular series, Wentworth received Best Television Drama Series. 

Winning with laughter: In the comedy category for the awards, ABC's Upper Middle Bogan won their first AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series

Making a mark: Actresses Sarah Scheller (L) and Alison Bell (R)  won their first AACTA, receiving who it for Best Screenplay in Television for ABC Comedy Showroom’s The Letdown

In the comedy category for the awards, ABC's Upper Middle Bogan won their first AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series.

Actresses Sarah Scheller and Alison Bell also won their first AACTA, receiving who it for Best Screenplay in Television for ABC Comedy Showroom’s The Letdown.

Network 10's MasterChef won the AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series for the second year in a row.

ABC's Gruen won an award for Best Light Entertainment Television series, while SBS' Destination Flavour Scandinavia presented by former MasterChef winner, Adam Liaw, received the AACTA for Best Lifestyle Television Program.

Gold: ABC's Gruen series (L) won Best Light Entertainment Television series, while SBS' Destination Flavour Scandinavia (R) received the AACTA for Best Lifestyle Television Program