The story of the inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards began in August 2011 when the Australian Film Institute (AFI) launched the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) and a new Awards program. Although the former AFI Awards (which began in 1958) were typically held annually in December, the inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards were held in January 2012 to integrate with the international awards season that includes the Oscars and the BAFTAs.
