AACTA Announce Blockbuster Line-Up for 2026 AACTA Festival & Awards – The Gold Coast is set to shine even brighter in February 2026 as AACTA Festival, including the AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group, return to HOTA with a powerhouse program featuring internationally acclaimed filmmakers and storytellers including: Anna Torv, Baz Luhrmann, Bruce Beresford, Chloe Hayden, Thomas Keneally, David Michôd, David Williamson, Emma Freeman, Fred Schepisi, John Seale, Josh Heuston, Mandy Walker, Michael Robotham, Phoebe Tonkin, Shabana Azeez, Tony McNamara – joining over 300 other on-stage participants across 100+ events.
Today’s announcement honoured Australian screen icons, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, who were announced as official ambassadors for the Australian Academy, supporting Russell Crowe (President), Nicole Kidman (Vice President), Cate Blanchett (Ambassador) and Dr. George Miller (Patron).
Baz Luhrmann added
“Catherine Martin and I have been connected to AFI/AACTA for over 35 years, since Strictly Ballroom won multiple AFI awards, including Best Film. Many more have followed since, but no form of recognition feels as meaningful as to be celebrated by our peers at home. That’s why we are honored to be named ambassadors of AACTA, an organization that does so much to celebrate Australian storytellers and the stories we tell, elevating them on the world stage and lifting up new generations of Australian talent, not just through the Awards, but now through the brilliant AACTA Festival, returning to the Gold Coast in February, bigger than ever. It’s especially fitting, given the Gold Coast has been our inspiring creative home for the past few years, that we will be holding the Australian premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert at the AACTA festival. It’s not a documentary, it’s not a concert film, it’s EPiC. And so will be the AACTA Festival right here at HOTA on the Gold Coast! Looking forward to seeing you there.”
AACTA also announced a major partnership extension that will see the AACTA Awards and Festival continue to grow in scale and ambition, with the Queensland Government and Experience Gold Coast renewing their commitment to host the events on the Gold Coast through to 2028, coinciding with the historic 70th anniversary of AFI | AACTA.
This significant development cements the future of Australia’s premier screen celebration, ensuring the Awards and Festival returns bigger and better each year, shining a global spotlight on Australian talent, creativity, and innovation across film, television, and digital entertainment.
Queensland Minister for Education and Arts John-Paul Langbroek and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, represented the state and city, with Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, stating that retaining the AACTA Awards on the Gold Coast through to 2028 was a coup for the state.
“The AACTA Awards and accompanying festival are pivotal in elevating Queensland’s standing within the screen industry while amplifying its global profile,”
– Minister Powell said.
“This celebration of Australian film and television is expected to deliver a $4.85 million boost to the state’s economy in 2026 and shine a spotlight on the Gold Coast during the internationally recognised awards season.
“We are determined to make Queensland the events capital of Australia, and this is another example of delivery from our ambitious Destination 2045 20 year tourism plan.”.
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.
Festival Highlights
Over five packed days, AACTA Festival 2026 program highlights include:
- Australian Premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Walk the red carpet at the premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s latest epic movie made on the Gold Coast.
- AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group & AACTA Awards Industry Gala – Celebrate the Australian screen industry with two incredible ceremonies celebrating Australia’s best screen talent and practitioners.
- World Premiere of Two Years Later starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin, with red carpet, followed by a Q&A.
- Hour by Hour: Shabana Azeez on The Pitt. A rare opportunity to hear from the Australian actor, fresh off the global success of the Emmy-winning series The Pitt.
- Dance Academy Reunion – The beloved cast returns to share memories and behind-the-scenes stories. Featuring Xenia Goodwin, Alicia Banit, Dena Kaplan, Jo Werner and Samantha Strauss.
- Join us for a Big Brother reunion with special guests including Reggie Bird, Ben from Brisbane, and Mike Goldman, for a lively and unfiltered conversation about the show that changed reality TV forever.
- John Seale: Life in Pictures – The Oscar-winning cinematographer deconstructs his work on screen including The English Patient, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dead Poets Society, Harry Potter.
- 30th Anniversary of Shine – Hosted by Margaret Pomeranz, featuring director Scott Hicks, pianist David Helfgott, producer Jane Scott, pianist Simon Tedeschi (who will perform live) and other guests reunite for one unforgettable evening.
- 50th Anniversary of The Devil’s Playground – Featuring director Fred Schepisi and actors Simon Burke andThomas Keneally.
- Queensland Premiere of Jimpa, with Q&A with director Sophie Hyde.
- Premiere of Floodland– Documentary about the catastrophic flooding in Lismore.
- Mandy Walker: Behind the Lens – The celebrated cinematographer deconstructs her work on screen.
- AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills – Discover the people, businesses, pathways, and opportunities driving the future of screen.
- Adult animated series Bob’s Burgers unpacked by its Australian creator Bernard Derriman.
- Dune Prophecy’s Josh Heuston joins the festival to talk about Dangerous Animals and his upcoming TV show Off Campus.
- Acclaimed actor Anna Torv and director Emma Freeman come together for an exclusive conversation about their work and careers.
Australia’s largest screen culture festival also includes over 40 screen industry sessions involving major studios and streaming platforms including Foxtel, Paramount+, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Television, Netflix, HBO Max and Stan, showcasing the very best of Australian and international storytelling.
Other highlights include the AACTA Awards Industry Gala (Feb 4), AACTA Industry Conference Day (Feb 5), AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group (Feb 6) and the AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills (Feb 7), which connects future talent with Australia’s leading studios, agencies, and educators.
AACTA Chair, Jack Christian, said
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast for their continued support of our Australian Academy. Queensland has proven to be a fantastic home for major cultural events, and we couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate Australian storytelling as we head towards our 70th anniversary.
“The first few years on the Gold Coast have exceeded all expectations, bringing together Australia’s creative community and industry leadership in one remarkable celebration of screen culture. The 2026 Festival is shaping up to be our biggest yet, uniting every corner of the industry for a program that showcases the strength, creativity, and global impact of Australia’s screen community.”
Meet the 2026 AACTA Festival Ambassadors
Supporting the Festival, this year’s ambassadors reflect the diversity and global impact of Australian screen storytelling:
Shabana Azeez (The Pitt, Lesbian Space Princess), Leah Purcell (High Country, The Drover’s Wife), Anna Torv (Mindhunter, The Newsreader), Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things, Dead Man’s Wire), Samantha Strauss (Apple Cider Vinegar, The Last Anniversary), and filmmaking duo the Macfarlane Brothers (The Worst That Could Happen).
Queensland’s Screen Future
The Queensland Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Australia’s screen industry, announcing a two-year extension of its partnership with AACTA to host the AACTA Awards and AACTA Festival on the Gold Coast through to 2028.
This continued investment strengthens Queensland’s position as a world-class screen destination and creative hub, supporting jobs, local businesses, and the growth of Australia’s film and television sectors. With the AACTA Awards and Festival cemented on the Gold Coast, the partnership highlights the state’s dedication to nurturing local talent, attracting major productions, and celebrating Australia’s screen excellence on a global stage.
Queensland Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek said
“The AACTA Festival 2026 offers an exciting and extensive program of screen events for audiences and aspiring filmmakers, connecting them with the industry’s best and brightest.
“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support such a vast line-up of free and ticketed events, with highlights including the World Premiere of Queensland-made series Two Years Later, supported by Screen Queensland, and the ever-popular Screen Careers Expo.
“The sunshine state is a leading light in Australia’s screen industry, with thousands of people establishing enduring careers right here, and the AACTA Awards and Festival continues to be a stellar celebration of the sector at its home at HOTA on the Gold Coast.”
Lana Greenhalgh, Director of Scripted Originals, Foxtel Group, said,
“We’re proud to support the AACTA Festival as part of Foxtel Group’s longstanding partnership with the AACTA Awards. The impressive 2026 Festival line-up will spotlight Australia’s extraordinary storytellers and emerging talent, and we look forward to celebrating another incredible year of local film and television.”
Tickets and Information
AACTA Festival will return to Gold Coast from 4 – 8 February 2026 at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Tickets for AACTA Festival events and the AACTA Awards Ceremonies, including Live! by the Lake, are available now at aactafestival.com.
For full program details and media assets, view the AACTA Festival 2026 Media Kit.
Key Dates
- Location: HOTA, Home of the Arts – Gold Coast, Queensland
- 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 Screen Careers Expo: Saturday 7 February 2026
- AACTA Festival: Wednesday 4 February – Sunday 8 February 2026
- For information on the AACTA Festival, click here.
Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate stated
“It’s a hat-trick for our city with the AACTA Festival back in 2026, the third successive year we have hosted this premier event, and for an additional two years on the Gold Coast,’’
“Through AACTA, our global reputation as the Asia-Pacific’s screen industry home continues to grow. Let’s roll out the gold carpet next February and welcome the biggest, brightest and most talented industry professionals. It’ll be lights, camera, Gold Coast.’’
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said
“The AACTA Awards and Festival are the pinnacle celebration of Australia’s screen industry, and we can’t wait to welcome them back to HOTA, Home of the Arts in 2026.”
“We’re also thrilled to announce a two year partnership extension that will see this iconic event remain on the Gold Coast until 2028.
“This is the perfect opportunity for the screen industry and fans to get behind the scenes and experience our stunning coastline, dine in one of our chef-hatted restaurants, or take a trip to explore the lush rainforests.”
Full Festival Program
- Australian Premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Walk the red carpet at the premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s latest epic movie made on the Gold Coast.
- AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group & AACTA Awards Industry Gala – celebrate the Australian screen industry with two incredible ceremonies presenting over 50 Awards to Australia’s best screen talent and practitioners.
- World Premiere of Two Years Later starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin, with red carpet, followed by a Q&A.
- Hour by Hour: Shabana Azeez on The Pitt. A rare opportunity to hear from the Australian actor, fresh off the global success of the Emmy-winning series The Pitt.
- Dance Academy Reunion – The beloved cast returns to share memories and behind-the-scenes stories. Featuring Xenia Goodwin, Alicia Banit, Dena Kaplan, Jo Werner and Samantha Strauss.
- Join us for a Big Brother reunion with special guests including Reggie Bird, Ben from Brisbane, and Mike Goldman, for a lively and unfiltered conversation about the show that changed reality TV forever.
- John Seale: Life in Pictures – The Oscar-winning cinematographer deconstructs his work on screen including The English Patient, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dead Poets Society, Harry Potter .
- Iconic filmmaker Bruce Beresford in conversation – talking about his past, present and future.
- Director David Michôd andcomposer Antony Partos discuss music in film.
- 30th Anniversary of Shine – Hosted by Margaret Pomeranz, featuring director Scott Hicks, pianist David Helfgott, producer Jane Scott, pianist Simon Tedeschi (who will perform live) and other guests reunite for one unforgettable evening.
- 50th Anniversary of The Devil’s Playground – Featuring director Fred Schepisi and cast members Simon Burke andThomas Keneally..
- Queensland Premiere of Jimpa, with Q&A with director Sophie Hyde
- Premiere of Floodland– Documentary about the catastrophic flooding in Lismore.
- AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills – Discover the people, businesses, pathways, and opportunities driving the future of screen.
- Adult animated series Bob’s Burgers unpacked by its Australian creator Bernard Derriman.
- The Most Upsetting Guessing Game In The World LIVE – The creative masterminds behind Aunty Donna, bring their live show to the AACTA Festival.
- Dune Prophecy’s Josh Heuston joins the festival to talk about Dangerous Animals and his upcoming TV show Off Campus.
- Heartbreak High star Chloe Hayden joins Gold Coast radio host Emily Jade O’Keefe and her daughter Millie Valentine for a live podcast.
- Film Financing Q&A with Jack Christian (CEO, Filmology Finance). Jack Christian, AACTA Chair and CEO of Filmology Finance, leads a practical Q&A on film finance and navigating today’s challenges.
- The legacy of Brian Walsh is featured in a special screening of The Great Entertainer.
- Acclaimed actor Anna Torv and director Emma Freeman come together for an exclusive conversation about their work and careers.
- In Conversation with Andy Weir – The bestselling author of The Martian joins via Zoom from the US ahead of the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary.
- Mandy Walker: Behind the Lens – The celebrated cinematographer deconstructs her work on screen.
- Nominated for two Oscars, Australian screenwriter Tony McNamara explores blending wit, heart, and genre defying humour.
- Acclaimed Australian screenwriter and playwright David Williamson talks about his inspiration for writing Gallipoli.
- Industry Conference Keynote presentation by the President of International Production at Sony Pictures Television Worldwide Wayne Garvie
- Winner of seven AFI | AACTA awards filmmaker Tony Ayres reflects on 30 years of storytelling.
- Acclaimed Australian editor Lee Smith deconstructs his work on some of the greatest movies in history, including 10 films for director Christopher Nolan.
- The Sound of Fury Road – Oscar-winning sound designer David White deconstructs the sound of one of the greatest action movies ever made.
- Drag Bingo; Featuring Ivvy Monroe and Lulu Lemans.
- Inside the Writers Room: Adaptation. Featuring Anya Beyersdorf and Nick Verso with others to be announced.
- Meet the Streamers – senior executives from Australia’s top streaming platforms come together to discuss what’s driving the future of digital entertainment.
- Universal Australasia CEO Mike Baard takes a candid look at the state of the industry.
- Industry Conference Keynote presentation by the President of International Production at Sony Pictures Television Worldwide Wayne Garvie.
- Crime, Truth and Justice. Hear directly from the people who live crime, not dramatise it, featuring real-life criminal barrister, a forensic pathologist and former police officer/psychologist.
- Masters of Crime – discussion with best selling authors Michael Robotham and Candice Fox.
- Inside the Writers Room: Comedy. Panelists to be announced.
- We Interrupt This Broadcast – Featuring Kirsty Stark.
- Inside Curio Pictures – featuring Rachel Gardner and Jo Porter.
- Meet the Showrunners – The creators of some of the most talked about series of 2025 come together to discuss their work, and the many hats they wear. Panelists to be announced.
- Inside Bunya Productions – featuring Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey.
- Our popular Meet-the-Nominees series returns, including directors, writers, music supervisors, film producers, TV producers and actors.
- Reality Check: Behind the Scenes; Featuring Tyra Johannes, Jessika Power, Kale Roberts and Mike Gunner.
- Oscar nominated and BAFTA Award-winning Australian hair & make up designer Jason Baird deconstructs his work on screen.
- Creating Your Path Direct to Audience – Presented by Screen Australia.
- Documentary Case Study – Presented by Screen Australia.
- International Marketplace Seminar – Presented by Screen Australia.
- Audiences Now & Into the Future – Presented by Screen Australia.
- Games Unpacked – Presented by Screen Australia.
- Queensland: The New Global Production Hub – Presented by Screen Queensland.
- Queensland on Screen: Iconic Locations, Iconic Stories – Presented by Screen Queensland.
- Building Grouse House Featuring Lee Naimo, Georgia Mappin and Sam Lingham.
- Industry Update 2026. AACTA brings together the CEO’s of all the state screen agencies to explore trends shaping 2026 and beyond.
- Inside Genre – featuring Tanya Modini, Jason Reed and Emma Jensen.
- Meet the team from Formation Effects – Presented by Screen Queensland.
- The famous AACTA Karaoke bar returns for the AACTA Awards after parties and AACTA Festival.
More programming will be announced later this year.
Media Release – AACTA
TV Central AACTA content HERE
AACTA Announce Blockbuster Line-Up for 2026 AACTA Festival & Awards
