AACTA ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS FOR THE 2026 AACTA AWARDS INDUSTRY GALA

Winners for the 2026 AACTA Awards Industry Gala were announced tonight with Bring Her Back, The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Lesbian Space Princess emerging as the night’s biggest winners.

For production stills and assets, click here. 

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) proudly announced the full list of winners at the Industry Gala, which marked the opening night of the 2026 AACTA Festival.

Hosted by comedian Ed Kavalee, the ceremony saw Australia’s screen industry come together at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast for an evening of celebration. Celia Pacquola, Costa Georgiadis, Claire Hooper, Mekonnen Knife, Chris Alosio, Joel Jackson, Shane Jacobson and Brenton Thwaites were among the presenters as the industry came together to recognise the craft behind Australia’s screen industry. Guests were also treated to an incredible performance by Gemma Chua-Tran singing the AACTA Award-winning song from the fan-favourite film Lesbian Space Princess.

With 30 awards presented on the night, Bring Her Back and The Narrow Road to the Deep North led the charge, each taking home seven AACTA Awards. Lesbian Space Princess, The Correspondent and The People v Robodebt also enjoyed success, each receiving two AACTA Awards.

“AACTA is proud to recognise the incredible depth of talent across Australia’s screen industry,” said AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. 

“The AACTA Awards Industry Gala is a fantastic event to kick off AACTA Festival, celebrating some of the incredible artists, productions and practitioners that bring Australian stories to life.”

“Congratulations to all the winners, nominees and creatives recognised at the 2026 AACTA Industry Awards. This year once again highlights the strength and innovation of Australian storytelling, and Foxtel Group is proud to champion the incredible talent shaping our screen industry.” Daniel Monaghan, Executive Director, Entertainment Content, Foxtel Group

The 2026 AACTA Awards Industry Gala opened the AACTA Festival which will run for 5 days from February 4 - 8th offering a vast range of activities celebrating film, television, and pop culture. Festival goers can enjoy in-depth movie deconstructions, interactive workshops, meet-and-greets, music showcases, masterclasses with renowned filmmakers, outdoor screenings, and a variety of family-friendly activities, and for those looking to break into the industry, an expanded AACTA Netflix Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills will also make its return on Saturday the 7th of February.

Whether you are a film fan, a budding creative, a pop culture enthusiast, or a dedicated industry professional, AACTA Festival offers a unique opportunity to network, learn, and revel in the magic of film and television.  For more information visit aactafestival.com

Queensland Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said the AACTA Industry Awards celebrate outstanding talent and projects, while also drawing international attention to Queensland’s world‑class destinations.

“Hosting the AACTA Industry Awards and Festival on the Gold Coast shines a global spotlight on Queensland and reinforces our reputation as a premier destination,” Minister Powell said.

“Australian screen productions not only strengthen our screen industry but they also inspire people to visit the Queensland locations they see on screen.”

 “Showcasing industry expertise through the AACTA Festival boosts Queensland’s creative strengths and delivers broader benefits for jobs, local communities, and the visitor economy.”

“What a night to celebrate all the winners and nominees,’’ said Acting Gold Coast Mayor Mark Hammel.”

“These awards highlight why Australia’s film and television industry is a global leader of excellence. This is our third year as host of the AACTAs and I am thrilled to see the depth of talent here for both the awards and five-day festival program. It’s lights, camera – Gold Coast.’’

More winners will be announced at Friday’s AACTA Awards Ceremony which will also be broadcast in Australia on Channel Ten at 7.30pm AEDT, Friday 6 February. A special extended AACTA Awards broadcast, including all awards from the ceremony, will be available from 7:30pm on Saturday 7 February on BINGE and Foxtel (Famous and available On-Demand). 

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said that the AACTA Awards Industry Gala celebrates the craft, dedication and commitment to excellence that is a hallmark of Australia’s screen industry. 

“Our homegrown film, series and online content reflect what it is to be Australian in myriad ways and I congratulate all of the 2026 winners and nominees for the vital role you play in bringing our stories to the world. 

“Screen Queensland is proud to support the AACTA Awards Industry Gala for not only recognising our incredible local talent, but for helping to inspire the next generation of screen storytellers.”  

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said “Congratulations to all the talented winners recognised at this year’s AACTA Industry Gala Awards.”

“We are proud to host an event that shines a spotlight on the exceptional skill, innovation and craftsmanship that power Australia’s screen industry, and to do so right here at HOTA, the creative heart of the Gold Coast.”

The winners for the 2026 AACTA Awards Industry Gala are:

FILM

In film, three productions won across nine awards

FILM

• AACTA Award for Best Casting in Film presented by Casting Networks: Bring Her Back – Nikki Barrett

• AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Film: Bring Her Back – Aaron McLisky

• AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Film: Bring Her Back – Anna Cahill

• AACTA Award for Best Editing in Film presented by Spectrum Films: Bring Her Back – Geoff Lamb

• AACTA Award for Best Indie Film: Lesbian Space Princess – Tom Phillips – Wemat Studios

• AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Film: Bring Her Back – Cornel Wilczek

• AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Film: The Correspondent – Fiona Donovan

• AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Film: The Correspondent – Peter Duncan

• AACTA Award for Best Sound in Film: Bring Her Back – Emma Bortignon, Nick Steele, Hamish Keen, Cameron Grant, Lachlan Harris, Pete Smith

In television, five productions won across twelve awards

TELEVISION

• AACTA Award for Best Casting in Television presented by Casting Networks: Apple Cider Vinegar – Kirsty McGregor

• AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Sam Chiplin

• AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Alice Babidge

• AACTA Award for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Justin Kurzel

• AACTA Award for Best Direction in Nonfiction Television: The People vs Robodebt – Episode 2 – Ben Lawrence

• AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program: The People vs Robodebt – Paula Bycroft, Michael Cordell, Andrew Farrell – CJZ (SBS)

• AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Alexandre de Franceschi

• AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program: Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Television: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Jed Kurzel

• AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Alice Babidge, Bev Dunn, Paul Sarpi

• AACTA Award for Best Sound in Television: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Andy Wright, Mick Boraso, Nick Emond, Glenn Newnham

• AACTA Award for Best Stand-Up Special: Celia Pacquola: I’m As Surprised As You Are – Kevin Whyte, Celia Pacquola

DOCUMENTARY

• AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary: The Kimberley – Episode 1 – Jack Riley, Nick Robinson, Caspar Mazzotti, Paul Bell

• AACTA Award for Best Editing in a Documentary: Unbreakable - The Jelena Dokic Story – Peter Crombie

• AACTA Award for Best Original Score in a Documentary: Journey Home, David Gulpilil – David Bridie

• AACTA Award for Best Sound in a Documentary: Yurlu | Country – Sam Hayward, Cameron Grant, Lauren Ligovich, Stuart Melvey

ONLINE

• A Series of Unfortunate Dates – Amy Raffe – White Bonnet Films

SHORT FILM

• AACTA Award for Best Short Film: I'm The Most Racist Person I Know – Leela Varghese (Dir.), Suriyna Sivashanker, Shabana Azeez

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OTHER

• AACTA Award for Best Hair and Makeup: Bring Her Back – Rebecca Buratto, Larry Van Duynhoven, Paul Katte, Nick Nicolaou, Karen Gower, Mariel McClorey

• AACTA Award for Best Original Song: Here I Go (Leela Varghese, Gemma Chua-Tran, Michael Darren) – Lesbian Space Princess

• AACTA Award for Best Visual Effects or Animation: Tron: Ares – Jeff Capogreco, Alex Popescu, Jhon Alvarado, Tomasz Wachnik, Kacy McDonald – Industrial Light & Magic

Key Dates

• Location: HOTA, Home of the Arts - Gold Coast, Queensland

• AACTA Festival: Wednesday 4 February – Sunday 8 February 2026

• AACTA Awards Industry Gala: Wednesday 4 February 2026

• AACTA Festival Industry Conference Day: Thursday 5 February 2026

• AACTA Awards Ceremony & Official After Party: Friday 6 February 2026

• AACTA Awards Broadcast: 7.30pm AEDT on Channel Ten

• AACTA Screen Careers Expo: Saturday 7 February 2026

  • For information on the AACTA Festival, click here.

AACTA FESTIVAL TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Running 4 - 8 February 2026, AACTA Festival transforms HOTA, Home of the Arts, into a five-day hub of immersive screen culture, attracting over 15,000 visitors and 300 on-stage participants across 100+ events. From in-depth movie deconstructions, global premieres, interactive workshops, talent meet-and-greets, music showcases, masterclasses with renowned filmmakers, outdoor screenings, and a variety of family-friendly activities. The Festival, including the Screen Careers Expo, offers an unmissable program for screen lovers, emerging creatives, and industry leaders alike.