Sydney  - Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia has failed to get a nomination for the top local film award, just as the 165-minute marathon was passed over for an Oscar nomination.

And neither Nicole Kidman nor Hugh Jackman was on a list of best-actor possibles released Wednesday by the Australian Film Institute.

The most expensive film ever made in Australia took four years to make. Around a quarter of its 150-million-US-dollar budget was provided by the government, which hoped it would be a blockbuster, showcase the Outback, and draw in lots of foreign tourists.

The World War II romance, Luhrmann's his first feature since 2001's successful Moulin Rouge!, was panned by the critics as a melodramatic melange that tried hard to please everyone but ended up satisfying no one.

The 20th Century Fox movie missed out on the top awards but won nominations for best sound, original music score, production design, costume design and best supporting actor. (dpa)