Australian filmmaker George Miller has won the Critics’ Choice Award for directing Mad Max: Fury Road, beating The Revenant’s Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.

The post-apocalyptic fourth chapter in his Mad Max franchise dominated Monday’s (AEST) ceremony in Los Angeles, with wins also in production design, editing, costume design, hair and makeup, visual effects, best action movie, best actor in an action movie for Tom Hardy and best actress in an action movie for Charlize Theron.

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The directing award is a big boost to Miller’s and the film’s Oscar hopes after the film collected 10 Academy Award nominations on Thursday, giving it a shot at challenging favourites Inarritu and The Revenant.

Actress Cate Blanchett shares the Australian hopes for an Oscar, with her role in the lesbian romance Carol earning her a best actress nomination.

There has been some controversy surrounding this year’s nominations, after the Academy was accused of failing to recognise black actors.

Actress Jada Pinkett-Smith indicated on Monday she may boycott the ceremony in protest.

The Oscars will be held on February 28.