YOUNG Aboriginal actors Marissa Gibson and Rowan McNamara won best actress and actor at the first round of the country's film awards in Sydney last night for their roles in Samson & Delilah.

They beat such well-known names as Frances O'Connor (nominated for Blessed), Sasha Horler (My Year without Sex), Hugo Weaving (Last Ride) and Anthony La Paglia (Balibo).

The IF Awards, at Luna Park, were a triumph for Samson & Delilah, which won six prizes including best film for producers Warwick Thornton and Kath Shelper.

Thornton, who won the Camera d'Or at Cannes, also collected the best director, script and music prizes.

The film, which screens on ABC TV on Sunday, is also Australia's nominee for the best foreign language film at the Oscars.

The IF living legend award went to the director of Moulin Rouge and Australia, Baz Luhrmann. Australia also won the prize for box office achievement.

Balibo, which had seven nominations, won best sound and editing, while Rachel Ward's intense drama Beautiful Kate collected best cinematography and Adam Elliot's animated Mary & Max won best production design.