Kiwi actress Emily Barclay with Cate Blanchett at the awards in Melbourne. Patrick Riviere / Getty Images
New Zealand actress Emily Barclay claimed one of Australia's most prestigious acting prizes last night at the Australian Film Institute Awards.
The 22-year-old actress beat out stiff competition from established actors Teresa Palmer, Abbie Cornish and Laura Linney to claim the Best Lead Actress award at last night's
ceremony in Sydney.
The prize is Barclay's second big win in recent weeks, last month she took home the Best Female Actress trophy at Australia's Inside Film Awards.
Barclay may be new to the red carpet circuit but she dazzled onlookers with the most impressive accessory of the night - a $300,000 Bulgari necklace, complete with personal security guard.
Barclay won both the awards for her role as Katrina in the Australian film Suburban Mayhem - a sultry, seductive solo mother who plots to kill her father.
Speaking to nzherald.co.nz from Sydney last month, the former Aucklander spoke about the film and her recent success.
"It was just a really great opportunity to play a fantastic character. I don't think when you make a film you ever think about whether or not you're going to be winning awards in 12 months time, you just think about the job at hand."
A former video store attendant, Barclay won widespread praise for her role as Celia in the acclaimed New Zealand film In My Father's Den.
The role won Barclay her first film award, Most Promising Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards, last year.
Next year, the British-born actress is set to star in the dramatic biopic Bronte, alongside Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams and British actress Nathalie Press.
Speaking about the project, Barclay said: "I still can't believe it. I feel like someone's going to come along and go, 'just kidding'."
