AACTA Awards

Television General Television Topics
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Overall, not a bad list of nominations in the categories.

Film:
Bring Her Back dominates the film categories. Not my cup of tea (the genre), but well done to the Phillipou brothers for their success. Am glad that The Correspondent is up for a few awards. A good movie. I would have loved to see Spit (the Gettin’ Square sequel) nominated in more categories. But comedy is hard to be up for awards.

Television:
Apple Cider Vinegar dominated the Lgies, and now the AACTA’s. Am happy for Mystery Road and The Newsreader being up for a few awards.

Best Entertainment Program has a few different types of shows there - from DWTS and I’m a Celeb, to Lego Masters, to Portrait Artist of the Year, to Eurovision once-off show, but nice to see That Blackfella Show with Ernie Dingo up. Something different.

Underrated cooking show - The Cook Up with Adam Liaw is finally up for a nomination - for Best Lifestyle Show.

Sam Pang can’t seem to be up for a Logie, but he now up for an AACTA - for Best Comedy Performer - for his role on Sam Pang Tonight.

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New Wave of AACTA Festival Events Announced

AACTA today announced the next wave of programming for the 2026 AACTA Festival, revealing new headline guests, exclusive first-look screenings, milestone celebrations and the recipients of the prestigious 2026 AACTA Byron Kennedy Award: Causeway Films producers Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings. The Festival runs 4–8 February at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, with tickets on sale now at aactafestival.com.

This latest program announcement expands the Festival into one of the boldest and most culturally resonant editions to date featuring global stars, beloved homegrown talent, and trailblazing creators redefining the future of screen storytelling. AACTA has also announced the return of its $50 membership offer, giving new members discounted access to AACTA Awards and AACTA Festival tickets for a limited time.

New Festival additions include:

  • Yerin Ha – Bridgerton’s New Leading Lady

Australia’s own Yerin Ha steps into the global spotlight and talks about her major role in the new season of the worldwide smash Bridgerton.

  • Australian actress Dichen Lachman, joins the Festival from Los Angeles to talk with audiences about her breakout role in the global hit Severance.
  • Exclusive Screenings and Showcases
    • EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert - Baz Luhrmann and other key creatives join the red carpet for the Australian premiere.
    • Two Years Later – One of Australia’s biggest rising stars, Phoebe Tonkin, joins the world premiere of Two Years Later.
    • The Beast in Me – Director Tyler Atkins (Bosch & Rockit ) and producer John Schwarz take audiences on a first look of Australian shot MMA action movie The Beast in Me , starring and co-written by Russell Crowe, with Daniel MacPherson and Luke Hemsworth.
    • Kenny – 20th anniversary screening. Celebrating 20 years of Australia’s beloved everyman with Shane Jacobson and director Clayton Jacobson.
  • Danny and Michael Philippou return to the AACTA Festival with a session that charts their journey across past, present and future projects. From their wild, rough-edged RackaRacka beginnings to the global impact of their debut feature.
  • The Festival also dives into jungle territory with a special I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! conversation, celebrating iconic challenges, fan-favourite moments and the spirit that’s made the series a national favourite. Guests to be announced.
  • Feel-good TV explores shows that leave us smiling, inspired, and coming back for more.
  • Featuring AACTA nominees Adam Liaw with The Cook Up with Adam Liaw and prolific producer Kylie Washington (Bake-Off, Dancing with the Stars, Return to Paradise, Ghosts).
  • Sacha Horler with Susie Porter offer rare peer-to-peer insight into the discipline, pressure and joy of performance.

Four new panels have also been added to the AACTA Screen Careers Expo lineup,presented by Essential Screen Skills:

  • Navigating the Screen Industry as an Actor
  • Networking 101
  • Life on Set
  • Hands-On Futures

As well as a Live Feature Story Development Panel presented by Screenworks.

BYRON KENNEDY AWARD: CELEBRATING CAUSEWAY’S GLOBAL IMPACT

Producers, Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings, of Causeway Films have been named recipients of the 2026 AACTA Byron Kennedy Award, recognising innovation and exceptional commitment to excellence.

Causeway has become one of Australia’s most influential production voices, championing high-impact creative work from The Babadook and The Nightingale to the global phenomenon Talk to Me and the critically acclaimed Bring Her Back , which leads this year’s feature nominations with 16 nods across major categories.

Established in 1984, the AACTA Byron Kennedy Award is bestowed upon individuals or organizations in the screen industry whose work epitomises innovation, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Named in honour of Dr. George Miller’s filmmaking partner and MAD MAX co-creator Byron Kennedy, the award includes a cash prize of $10,000 and is determined by an appointed jury.

Festival audiences will hear directly from the duo in Fearless Filmmaking with Kristina Ceyton & Samantha Jennings, an intimate conversation on producing instinct, risk, global reach and the creative decisions that shaped their standout projects.Saturday 7th February, 2.30 - 3.30pm at HOTA, on the Gold Coast.

AACTA MEMBERSHIP RETURNS WITH A $50 OFFER

AACTA has also relaunched its popular $50 membership offer, available for a limited time to new members. Membership unlocks discounted pricing for AACTA Awards and AACTA Festival tickets, including headline events expected to sell out.

EXPANDING THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

The 2026 AACTA Awards ceremonies are part of 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 Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills makes 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.

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AACTA International Award Nominees Announced

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) today announced the nominees for the 2026 AACTA International Awards, recognising the year’s most outstanding achievements in film and television from across the global screen industry.

Spanning prestige cinema, culturally defining series and some of the most talked-about performances of the year, the 2026 AACTA International Awards spotlight an exceptional slate of nominees including Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jean Smart, alongside internationally acclaimed filmmakers, performers and creators shaping contemporary screen storytelling.

Australian screen talent is also strongly represented among this year’s International Award nominees, underscoring the country’s continued impact on the global stage. Nominees include Russell Crowe (Nuremberg ), Hugh Jackman (Song Sung Blue ), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams ), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein ), AACTA Festival Ambassador Dacre Montgomery (Dead Man’s Wire ), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You ), and Sarah Snook (All Her Fault ), reinforcing the breadth of Australian creative influence across both film and television.

The film categories reflect a year dominated by incredible storytelling and major star performances. Hamnet leads with nominations across Best Film, acting, direction and screenplay, alongside strong showings for One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme and Sinners . Performances from Chalamet, DiCaprio, Crowe and Jackman headline a fiercely competitive Best Lead Actor field, while filmmakers including Paul Thomas Anderson, Guillermo del Toro, Ryan Coogler, Josh Safdie and Chloé Zhao are recognised for directing some of the year’s most ambitious and distinctive works.

Television nominees showcase the continued dominance of drama and character-driven comedy, with Adolescence earning multiple acting nominations, Slow Horses and The Diplomat reaffirming their global appeal, and Severance returning as a major awards contender. Comedy remains equally competitive, with Hacks, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building and Shrinking recognised alongside newcomer The Studio . Performances from Jean Smart, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell** and Sarah Snook underscore a year defined by standout acting across the small screen. Fans of nominated series Severance can catch Dichen Lachman as part of AACTA Festival 2026, as she opens up her role in the global hit series.

Winners for the 2026 AACTA International Awards will be announced alongside the AACTA Awards Ceremony on Friday 6th February 2026 at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, Australia.

The 2026 AACTA Awards ceremonies are part of 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 Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills makes its return on Saturday the 7th of February.

List of nominations

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Was Dichen Lachlan in Neighbours 15-20 Years ago,?

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20 years ago. December 2005 to February 2007.

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Voting is now open to the public for the Audience Choice Awards

I still feel like that the Audience Awards for the AACTAs feel out of place. And isn’t really needed.

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Sarah Snook To Receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award

The Australian Academy (AACTA) is thrilled to announce that internationally acclaimed actor Sarah Snook will headline a special In Conversation event at the 2026 AACTA Festival, where she will also be honoured with this year’s prestigious AACTA Trailblazer Award.

Sarah Snook will receive the esteemed Trailerblazer Award at the 2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group on Friday 6 February at HOTA on the Gold Coast. The AACTA Trailblazer Award celebrates Australians who are forging unique and influential pathways in the global industry and recognises Snook’s extraordinary impact and continued influence on the Australian screen industry.

On Saturday 7 February, Snook will be joined by Australian actor Shane Jacobson to present an exclusive ‘In Conversation’ where she will offer the audience insights and recollections about her career, which has led to her being one of Australia’s most celebrated talents.

The session sees Snook delve into her journey from early Australian screen roles to her global breakthrough as ‘Shiv Roy’ in HBO’s Succession, which earned her an Emmy, two Golden Globes and widespread critical acclaim. Snook will also discuss her latest projects, including the internationally praised All Her Fault which is available to watch on BINGE in Australia, along with her award-winning stage triumph The Picture of Dorian Gray, which saw her take home both the Laurence Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Actress.

Snook said “I’m so honored to receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award. Australia is where I learned to love storytelling, and every opportunity I’ve had began with the support of this community. I’m grateful to the filmmakers, co-stars, crews and audiences who have lifted me up along the way. It’s a privilege to represent Australian talent on the world stage, and I hope to keep contributing to the vibrant, world-class industry we’re building together.”

Snook said “I’m so honored to receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award. Australia is where I learned to love storytelling, and every opportunity I’ve had began with the support of this community. I’m grateful to the filmmakers, co-stars, crews and audiences who have lifted me up along the way. It’s a privilege to represent Australian talent on the world stage, and I hope to keep contributing to the vibrant, world-class industry we’re building together.”

Snook has been nominated for six AACTA Awards and has won three, including her first AACTA Award at the inaugural ceremony in 2012 for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama (Sisters of War). She went on to win Best Lead Actress in a Film in 2014 for her performance opposite Ethan Hawke in Predestination, and most recently received an AACTA Award for her voice performance in the animated feature Memoir of a Snail.

Snook’s incredible filmography and wealth of international accolades make her the ideal recipient of the 2026 AACTA Trailblazer Award.

Previously awarded to Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Rose Byrne, Simon Baker, and Isla Fisher, the AACTA Trailblazer Award recognises the achievements of an Australian screen practitioner whose body of work has served as an inspiration to others. The discretionary award, which is determined by the AFI | AACTA Board, acknowledges the recipient’s valuable contribution to promoting Australian screen culture and excellence at home and abroad.

AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said: “Sarah Snook embodies everything the AACTA Trailblazer Award represents. From her early work in Australian film and television to her extraordinary global success across screen and stage, Sarah has carved a reputation as one of Australia’s greatest performers. She continues to champion Australian storytelling on the world stage while inspiring the next generation of creatives at home. We are immensely proud to honour Sarah and look forward to hearing more about her journey at this year’s AACTA Festival.”

Tickets to Sarah Snook’s AACTA Festival In Conversation event are limited. Media, industry and fans are encouraged to secure their seats now before the session sells out at aactafestival.com.

Sarah Snook – AACTA Trailblazer In Conversation

2026 AACTA Festival

10–11am Saturday, 7 February 2026

HOTA, Home of the Arts

Sarah Snook, one of Australia’s most acclaimed actors, takes the stage for a headline in-conversation at the AACTA Festival.

Across stage and screen, she has earned 24 major international awards, including an Emmy, Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards and multiple AFI | AACTA Awards, along with Olivier and Tony awards - regarded as the highest honours a stage actor can receive anywhere in the world.

With standout roles in Succession, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Predestination, The Dressmaker and most recently All Her Fault, Sarah has become one of the most respected and versatile actors of her generation, with plenty more still to come.

This exclusive In Conversation with her friend Shane Jacobson offers festival audiences a chance to hear directly from an actor whose work has elevated every production she has been part of, and placed her among the leading screen artists in the world.

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BRAINS ON TAP! wins the 6th AACTA Reg Grundy Award

The 2026 AACTA Reg Grundy Award has been awarded to Craig Smith and Kate Armon for their unscripted series concept Brains on Tap! Created by the husband-and-wife producing and writing team, the idea draws on their real-life experiences and passion for authentic, people-focused storytelling.

Brains on Tap! is a travelling trivia show that hits the road to find Australia’s sharpest minds and the most interesting locals. Each week, the hosts arrive in a new town where teams face off in a battle of brains, banter, and bragging rights, all for a place in the Spectacular Grand Final. Part quiz, part travel adventure, and full of heart, Brains on Tap! is smart, feel-good entertainment for the whole family.

The AACTA Reg Grundy Award is the largest prize of its kind in the world and is presented by the Australian Academy in partnership with Grundy Media to champion bold new unscripted ideas and fast-track the development of original screen formats.

Judge Sharon Wheeler shares, “This year’s finalists reflect the spirit of what Reg Grundy championed, bold originality, imaginative storytelling and formats that spark curiosity and connection. At its core, Brains on Tap! celebrates community, bringing people together through competition, camaraderie and great Australian storytelling.”

“Winning the Reg Grundy Award is an extraordinary honour for us and we are still wrapping our heads around it. The experience has genuinely been transformative. The mentoring, the feedback and the generosity of the judges have lifted our project and lifted us as creators. It is something we will carry with us for a very long time. This opportunity has given us the confidence to dream bigger, work harder and believe that Brains on Tap! can become something truly special for audiences across Australia.” Said winners Kate Armon and Craig Smith.

This year’s esteemed panel of judges including some of the biggest names in Australian television, chose Brains on Tap! fiercely competitive field. Wes Dening, Head of Global Formats at Eureka, (Holey Moley and Australian Idol). Returning to the judging panel is Paul Hardy (Alone, Beauty and The Geek), Marion Farrelly (Big Brother, X Factor), media leader and former Fremantle Regional CEO for Australia Asia Pacific Ian Hogg , and U.S-based executive Sharon Wheeler who helped develop and adapt Grundy International Series for American audiences.

Ivan Vukusic, Awards and Industry Development Manager at AACTA said “Brains On Tap presents a unique mix of quiz, reality and travel show. It’s a really fresh idea and one that is quintessential Aussie. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know Kate and Craig and we look forward to seeing where this journey takes them. With thanks as always to our amazing judges and to Grundy Media”

This initiative honours Reg Grundy, a pioneer of television whose entrepreneurial vision reshaped the industry. His creations and adaptations include Sale of the Century, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, The Price is Right and Perfect Match, as well as long-running dramas Sons & Daughters, Prisoner and Neighbours, the latter becoming Australia’s longest-running drama and a launchpad for international stars including Russell Crowe, Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth.

Craig Smith and Kate Armon will be formally celebrated as the winners of the 2026 AACTA Reg Grundy Award at the AACTA Awards Ceremony on Friday, 6 February, where they will be acknowledged alongside Australia’s leading screen creatives.

Established in partnership with Grundy’s wife, Joy Chambers-Grundy, former chairman of RG Capital, author and businesswoman, the AACTA Reg Grundy Award proudly continues Grundy’s heritage of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit by seeking out formats that can become the next big hit in Australian entertainment.

For more information on the initiative click here.