Andrew Powell MP
Minister for Tourism
I’m delighted to welcome you to the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards on the Gold Coast.
The Queensland Government is proud to support the AACTA Awards through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events program.
This event offers a true taste of Queensland’s vibrant spirit and contributes to our growing reputation as the premier destination for world-class entertainment and unforgettable visitor experiences.
If you’re here for the AACTA Awards, make sure you get out explore everything this stunning region has to offer – from its natural beauty to its unique attractions.
Welcome
Join us as we celebrate the best of Australia’s film, television, and digital content at the AACTA Festival. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Gold Coast, this year’s festival offers an exciting lineup of events, from award ceremonies and screenings to masterclasses and family-friendly activities.
There’s no place like home and, for Australia’s screen industry, that place is the Gold Coast.
As Mayor, I welcome the country's top talent back to our city for the 2026 AACTA Festival. The Festival is Australia's largest and most prestigious screen event, bringing an incredible energy and creativity to the Gold Coast that shines a global spotlight on our worldclass screen sector and unrivalled destination experiences.
The City of Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program is the first of its kind in Australia and has supported more than 65 productions in the past nine years. The City has also established the Gold Coast Film Commission to strengthen our partnership with Screen Queensland and deliver more support for our industry that already thrives on our incredible locations, state of the art facilities and highly skilled production crews.
As one of the top destinations in Australia, the Gold Coast offers visiting talent, crews and annual festival-goers alike a stay that is a perfect fusion of laid back and coastal luxe. From ancient rainforests and world-class waves, to a leading food and culture scene and the thrill of theme parks, the Gold Coast is a destination that never disappoints.
For its third year, the Gold Coast is proud to again be the host of AACTA Festival – a destination and event that comes together like movie magic!
See you there.
Tom Tate
Mayor of City of Gold Coast
Jacqui Feeney
CEO of Screen Queensland
Welcome to the 2026 AACTA Awards and Festival on the stunning Gold Coast! It’s a joy to once again celebrate Australian screen culture and excellence right here in Queensland - a place where creativity thrives, stories come alive and our industry continues to go from strength to strength.
Screen Queensland is undeniably proud to be a longstanding partner of the AACTAs. Together we are championing the storytellers, innovators and trailblazers shaping the future of film, television and online content, from emerging voices to global heavyweights.
Over five unforgettable days, the Festival offers a dynamic program of events at its home at HOTA including the World Premiere of Queensland-made series Two Years Later and the ever-popular Screen Careers Expo.
This is an unbelievably exciting time for Queensland as we step towards the global stage with the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the world’s attention turning our way, events like the AACTA Awards and Festival highlight our creative excellence and international ambition.
Screen Queensland looks forward to welcoming the wider industry here in February, so dive into the 2026 program and soak it up like the Gold Coast sun.
The AACTA Awards and Festival are the pinnacle celebration of Australia’s screen industry and we can't wait to once again roll out the red carpet at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Returning to the Gold Coast for a third year, it remains the country's largest film and television festival.
HOTA is more than a venue. It’s a cultural hub where storytelling comes to life. Over five vibrant days and nights, more than 100 events will be held from exclusive screenings and outdoor cinema under the stars, to masterclasses, in-conversation panels, family activities and more.
We look forward to welcoming thousands of screen professionals and fans in February where we’ll celebrate the exceptional artistry both on screen and behind the scenes. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the best of Australia’s creativity, culture and lifestyle.
John Warn
CEO of Experience Gold Coast
Plan Your Trip to the Gold Coast
Need help planning your trip to the Gold Coast? We've got some great deals and offers, exclusive to our AACTA audience. Enjoy a day at the theme parks, get a facial before the Awards or just find the best hotel for you - we've got a range of discounts to some of Gold Coast’s best hot spots.
Click here to find out more.
