Aboriginal Sapphires story sweeps Australian awards

Feel-good drama The Sapphires dominated the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA), picking up 11 awards at the ceremony.

The musical comedy about an Aboriginal girl group entertaining the troops in Vietnam was named best film.

Chris O'Dowd, who plays the group's manager, won best actor, with Deborah Mailman named best actress and Jessica Mauboy named best supporting actress.

The stars of the film and the original Sapphires band members attended the ceremony in Sydney.