2026 AACTA Award Nominees Announced – Nicole Kidman, Jacob Elordi, Sam Neill, Teresa Palmer, Alison Brie, Sally Hawkins, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Kaitlyn Dever and Anna Torv are among the major names recognised today as the nominees for the 2026 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group were announced.
They join a field that reflects one of the strongest years for Australian film and television, with talent and productions represented across both established screen favourites and new breakout titles. The AACTA Awards will be presented at HOTA on the Gold Coast as part of AACTA Festival from 4 – 8 February 2026.
Television
Apple Cider Vinegar secures its position as the most nominated production this year, with 20 nominations across acting, writing, directing, casting, soundtrack, score, sound, costume, and editing, including two Best Lead Actress nominations for Alycia Debnam-Carey and Kaitlyn Dever and six supporting acting nominations (Essie Davis, Aisha Dee, Susie Porter, Mark Coles Smith, Matt Nable, Ashley Zukerman).
Acclaimed dramas The Newsreader (12 nominations) and Mystery Road Origin (11 nominations) continue their dominance in the scripted landscape, earning recognition across lead and supporting acting, writing, directing, cinematography, editing and casting. Mystery Road and The Newsreader represent some of the most consistently awarded Australian dramas of the past decade with 56 and 43 total nominations respectively, maintaining their momentum with strong performances across both creative and craft categories.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North (12 nominations), Mix Tape (8 nominations), The Survivors (6 nominations) and The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer (5 nominations) all secure widespread recognition, earning nominations across a broad mix of acting, writing, directing and craft categories.
Comedy also delivers standout results, with Austin, Bump, Ghosts, Mother and Son, Strife, and Top End Bub all up for the AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series. While Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee, Hard Quiz, Sam Pang Tonight, Spicks and Specks, Taskmaster Australia and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering compete for Best Comedy Entertainment Program.
Best Lifestyle Program nominees, Gardening Australia, Grand Designs Australia, Love it or List it Australia, Restoration Australia, Selling Houses Australia and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw highlight the continued strength of lifestyle content and their long-running popularity with both audiences and industry.
Film
Bring Her Back continues the momentum for Danny and Michael Philippou, emerging as one of the year’s dominant contenders with 16 nominations. The film features across major categories, including Best Film, Best Lead Actress for Sally Hawkins and three supporting acting nominations (Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, Sora Wong). It also collects nominations across direction, editing, cinematography, sound and casting, cementing its status as a leading force in this year’s feature competition.
The Correspondent (14 nominations), Kangaroo (8 nominations), Lesbian Space Princess (7 nominations), The Surfer (7 nominations) and The Travellers (4 nominations) complete the six-film Best Film lineup. Together, these titles demonstrate the breadth of this year’s cinematic field, earning recognition across performance, writing and craft and showcasing a mix of large-scale thrillers, character-driven drama, elevated genre storytelling and standout independent filmmaking.
Australian horror also features strongly, with Together collecting 8 nominations, including Best Lead Actress for Alison Brie and Best Supporting Actor for Damon Herriman, alongside key nods across screenplay, editing and original score.
Other Nominations
The online and documentary categories showcase a diverse range of emerging voices and established storytellers. In the AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy, nominees span a broad cross-section of independent creators and production teams, with titles including A Series of Unfortunate Dates, Long Head, Not Russian Anywhere, Ruff & Ruby, The Worst That Could Happen and ’Til You Make It highlighting the strength of Australia’s digital-first screen sector.
Documentary also delivers a particularly strong lineup, with Ellis Park, Journey Home, David Gulpilil, Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke, Songs Inside, Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story and Yurlu | Country recognised for their powerful storytelling and significant cultural resonance across subjects spanning sport, identity, music, landscape and personal history.
This year’s nominations also highlight several standout individuals recognised across multiple categories. Aisha Dee earned two nominations for Lead Actress (Watching You) and Supporting Actress (Apple Cider Vinegar), while Mark Coles Smith is also acknowledged in both Lead Actor (Mystery Road Origin) and Supporting Actor (Apple Cider Vinegar). Daniel Henshall received two Supporting Actor nominations for The Family Next Door and The Newsreader.
Composer Cornel Wilczek achieves one of the year’s most significant tallies with four nominations across Original Score in both film (Bring Her Back, Together) and television (Apple Cider Vinegar, The Survivors). Rowdie Walden is recognised across entertainment and comedy for That Blackfella Show and two Melbourne International Comedy Festival programs. Kevin Whyte leads all individuals this year with five nominations spanning children’s, comedy entertainment and stand-up, while Jemma Burns secures three nominations in Best Soundtrack (Apple Cider Vinegar, Kangaroo, Mystery Road: Origin), following her dual recognition in the same category last year.
For a full list of AACTA Award nominees, click here.
AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella added
“This year’s nominations showcase the remarkable creativity and craft behind Australian screen storytelling. It’s encouraging to see such a diverse mix of new voices, returning favourites and world-class productions recognised across film, television, documentary and online content. I congratulate all nominees and look forward to celebrating with the industry as we gather on the Gold Coast for AACTA Festival in February.”
The AACTA International Award nominations and VFX nominations will be announced later this month. The AACTA Audience Choice Awards will also return later this month, as AACTA call for contenders on their social media platforms for the publicly voted Awards including Favourite Australian Digital Creator, Favourite Film, TV Show, and Actors. This year, AACTA will introduce new categories, Favourite Australian Podcast and Favourite Australian Music Video. Voting for these Awards will happen in January. Follow AACTA on social media for more information.
Watch the 2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony 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 (Showcase and available On-Demand).
Lana Greenhalgh Director of Scripted Originals, Foxtel Group said:
“Congratulations to all nominees for what has been another extraordinary year of Australian film and television, pushing our local screen industry to new heights. We’re proud to support the AACTA Awards and look forward to celebrating our collective achievements in February.”
The nominees were determined by AACTA Members, Australia’s largest community of screen professionals and fans. Round 2 voting opens today, AACTA Members are invited to vote on the nominated productions to determine the 2026 AACTA Award winners. The winners of the 2026 AACTA Awards will be announced across two ceremonies – the AACTA Awards Industry Gala will be held on Wednesday 4 February and the AACTA Award Ceremony will be held on Friday 6 February.
The 2026 AACTA Awards ceremonies are part of AACTA Festival which will run for 5 days from February 4 – 8 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 will also make its return on Saturday 8 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.
Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek, said the Gold Coast will once again host a spectacular celebration.
“The glitz and glamour of the AACTA Awards goes beyond the film and screen industry, creating a golden opportunity for the Gold Coast,”
– Minister Langbroek said.
“Industry leaders and global names travel to experience the region’s iconic beaches, culture and attractions while contributing an estimated $4.85 million to the state’s economy.
“Congratulations to all the nominees who underscore Australia’s growing influence on the international film and screen industry, with Queensland at the forefront.”
“The countdown to the 2026 AACTA continues and I’m thrilled to see several local Gold-Coast affiliated nominees in the running,’’
– said Mayor Tom Tate.
“Hosting AACTA since 2024 has helped our local talent thrive while, at the same time, showcasing the most talented industry professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region. It’s a great time to be involved in this vibrant industry and I can’t wait to turn on the lights for the 2026 AACTAs.’’
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 Screen Careers Expo: Saturday 7 February 2026
- For information on the AACTA Festival, click here.
More AACTA Festival programming will be announced later this year.
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said
“We look forward to welcoming Australia’s screen industry to the Gold Coast in February to honour these incredible nominees. The AACTA Awards celebrate unique and authentic Australian screen stories and the remarkable people who bring them to life for local and global audiences. The Festival program also provides a special opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to learn from many of these industry leaders.
“My congratulations to all of the 2026 nominees, including Screen Queensland-supported productions such as Spit, Beast of War, Black Snow Jack of Clubs and Dangerous Animals.”
The nominees for the 2026 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group are:
AACTA Award for Best Miniseries
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Samantha Strauss, Liz Watts, Louise Gough, Helen Gregory, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning – See-Saw Films / Picking scabs (Netflix)
- Invisible Boys – Nicholas Verso, Tania Chambers – Asphodel Films and Feisty Dame Productions (Stan)
- Mix Tape – Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford, Aoife O’Sullivan, Tristan Orpen Lynch – Aquarius Films and Subotica (in Ireland) (Binge, Foxtel)
- The Last Anniversary – Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Samantha Strauss, John Polson – Made Up Stories, Fifth Season and Blossom Films (Binge, Foxtel)
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Jo Porter, Rachel Gardner, Shaun Grant, Justin Kurzel, Alexandra Taussig – Curio Pictures (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Survivors – Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm, Cherie Nowlan, Andrew Walker – Tony Ayres Productions | Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios. (Netflix)
AACTA Award for Best Film
- Bring Her Back – Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton – Causeway Films
- Kangaroo – David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin, Angela Littlejohn, Rachel Clements, Trisha Morton-Thomas – Cultivator Films Australia – a STUDIOCANAL Company
- Lesbian Space Princess – Tom Phillips
- The Correspondent – Carmel Travers – Pop Family Entertainment
- The Surfer – Leonora Darby, James Harris, Robert Connolly, James Grandison, Brunella Cocchiglia, Nathan Klingher, Nicolas Cage – Arenamedia and Saturn Films, Lovely Productions, Tea Shop Productions
- The Travellers – Michael Boughen, Matthew Street, Kelvin Munro – Ambience Entertainment Pty Ltd
AACTA Award for Best Drama Series
- Bay of Fires – Marta Dusseldorp – Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia (ABC)
- Black Snow Jack of Clubs – Rosemary Blight, Milly Olrog, Lucas Taylor, Ben Grant – Goalpost Pictures (Stan)
- Mystery Road Origin – Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (ABC)
- The Family Next Door – Melinda Wearne, Dean O’Toole, David Ogilvy, Jenny O’Shea – Beyond Productions Pty Ltd (ABC)
- The Newsreader – Joanna Werner, Michael Lucas – Werner Film Productions (ABC)
- The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer – Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Ally Henville, Ian Collie, Rob Gibson – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd and Easy Tiger Productions Pty Ltd (Binge, Foxtel)
AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series
- Austin – Joe Weatherstone, Catherine Nebauer – Northern Pictures (ABC)
- Bump – Dan Edwards, John Edwards, Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro – Roadshow Rough Diamond (Stan)
- Ghosts – Kylie Washington, Sophia Zachariou, Bree-Anne Sykes, Joshua Mapleston – BBC Studios Productions (Network Ten, Paramount+)
- Mother and Son – Jude Troy, Richard Finlayson, Matt Okine, Alexandra Cameron – Wooden Horse (ABC)
- Strife – Steve Hutensky, Katie Amos, Asher Keddie, Mia Freedman, Sarah Scheller, Lorelle Adamson – Made Up Stories and Fifth Season (Binge, Foxtel)
- Top End Bub – Rosemary Blight, Ben Grant, Miranda Tapsell, Joshua Tyler – Goalpost Pictures (Amazon Prime Video)
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in Film
- Alison Brie – Together
- Emily Browning – One More Shot
- Sally Hawkins – Bring Her Back
- Susie Porter – The Travellers
- Daisy Ridley – We Bury The Dead
- Lily Whiteley – Kangaroo
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in Film
- Bryan Brown – The Travellers
- Ryan Corr – Kangaroo
- Jai Courtney – Dangerous Animals
- Guy Pearce – Inside
- Richard Roxburgh – The Correspondent
- David Wenham – Spit
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama presented by BINGE
- Alycia Debnam-Carey – Apple Cider Vinegar
- Aisha Dee – Watching You
- Kaitlyn Dever – Apple Cider Vinegar
- Tuuli Narkle – Mystery Road Origin
- Teresa Palmer – Mix Tape
- Anna Torv – The Newsreader
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama presented by BINGE
- Mark Coles Smith – Mystery Road Origin
- Jacob Elordi – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
- Travis Fimmel – Black Snow Jack of Clubs
- Sam Neill – The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer
- Hunter Page-Lochard – Reckless
- Sam Reid – The Newsreader
AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy
- Claudia Karvan – Bump
- Asher Keddie – Strife
- Ben Miller – Austin
- Sally Phillips – Austin
- Angus Sampson – Bump
- Denise Scott – Mother and Son
- Miranda Tapsell – Top End Bub
- Michael Theo – Austin
AACTA Award for Best Documentary
- Ellis Park – Justin Kurzel (Dir.), Nick Batzias, Charlotte Wheaton – GoodThing Productions
- Journey Home, David Gulpilil – Maggie Miles (Dir.), Trisha Morton-Thomas (Dir.), Rachel Clements, Jida Gulpilil, Lloyd Garrawurra – Savage Films and Brindle Films
- Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke – Lorin Clarke (Dir.), Richard Keddie – THW FILM COMPANY & LORIN CLARKE PRODUCTTIONS
- Songs Inside – Shalom Almond (Dir.), Katrina Lucas – Songs Inside Pty Ltd
- Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story – Ivan O’Mahoney (Dir.), Jessica Halloran (Dir.) – In Films
- Yurlu | Country – Yaara Bou Melhem (Dir.) – Illuminate Films
AACTA Award for Best Indie Film
- Carmen & Bolude – Yolandi Franken, Michela Carattini – Frankendipity Enterprises & Charcol Pictures
- Fwends – Carter Looker, Sarah Hegge-Taylor, Sophie Somerville – Excellent Friends And Future Success PTY LTD
- It Will Find You – Helen Tuck, Enzo Tedeschi, Chris Broadbent – Giniirr Films Pty Ltd
- Lesbian Space Princess – Tom Phillips – Wemat Studios
- Magic Beach – Liz Kearney, Kate Laurie, Robert Connolly, Chloe Brugale – Arenamedia
- With or Without You – Su Armstrong, Carolyn Johnson – WitWot Pty Ltd
AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performer
- Hamish Blake – LEGO® Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the Galaxy
- Melanie Bracewell – The Cheap Seats
- Aaron Chen – Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee
- Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz
- Luke McGregor – Portrait Artist of the Year
- Guy Montgomery – Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee
- Sam Pang – Sam Pang Tonight
- Julia Zemiro – Crime Night!
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in Film
- Damon Herriman – Together
- Cosmo Jarvis – Inside
- Julian Maroun – The Correspondent
- Julian McMahon – The Surfer
- Rahel Romahn – The Correspondent
- Jonah Wren Phillips – Bring Her Back
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in Film
- Marta Dusseldorp – With or Without You
- Deborah Mailman – Kangaroo
- Brooke Satchwell – Kangaroo
- Yael Stone – The Correspondent
- Sally-Anne Upton – Bring Her Back
- Sora Wong – Bring Her Back
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
- Essie Davis – Apple Cider Vinegar
- Aisha Dee – Apple Cider Vinegar
- Michelle Lim Davidson – The Newsreader
- Robyn Malcolm – Mystery Road Origin
- Heather Mitchell – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
- Susie Porter – Apple Cider Vinegar
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
- Luke Carroll – Mystery Road Origin
- Mark Coles Smith – Apple Cider Vinegar
- Daniel Henshall – The Family Next Door
- Daniel Henshall – The Newsreader
- Matt Nable – Apple Cider Vinegar
- Ashley Zukerman – Apple Cider Vinegar
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Film
- Bring Her Back – Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
- Kangaroo – Kate Woods
- Lesbian Space Princess – Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese
- The Correspondent – Kriv Stenders
- The Travellers – Bruce Beresford
AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program presented by EMG/Gravity Media
- Dancing with the Stars – Peter Beck, Amanda Bainbridge, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Productions Australia (Seven Network)
- Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final: Access All Areas – Paul Clarke, Emily Griggs, Angela Downing – Beyond Productions (SBS)
- I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Australia – Beth Hart, Alex Mavroidakis, Josie Steele, Clare Bath – ITV Studios Australia (Network Ten)
- LEGO® Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the Galaxy – David McDonald, Hamish Blake, Di Yang, AJ Johnson – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)
- Portrait Artist of the Year – David McDonald, Kate Feely, Maria Handas – Endemol Shine Australia (ABC)
- That Blackfella Show – Rowdie Walden – ABC (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Jeffrey Walker
- Mix Tape – Episode 1 – Lucy Gaffy
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Justin Kurzel
- The Newsreader – Episode 3 – Emma Freeman
- The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer – Episode 1 – Madeleine Gottlieb
AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program
- Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee – Bronwynn Bakker, Cameron Bakker, Guy Montgomery, Greg Sitch – Kevin & Co and ABC (ABC)
- Hard Quiz – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)
- Sam Pang Tonight – Sam Pang, John Origlasso – One Wolf Productions (Network Ten)
- Spicks and Specks – Rowdie Walden, Anthony Watt – ABC (ABC)
- Taskmaster Australia – Bronwynn Bakker, Cameron Bakker – Kevin & Co and Avalon (Paramount+)
- The Weekly with Charlie Pickering – Charlie Pickering, Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Frank Bruzzese – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program
- Do Not Watch This Show – Andy Lee, Greg Sitch – Lee Bones Productions (ABC)
- Hard Quiz Kids – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)
- Play School: All Together – Bryson Hall, Lyndal Mebberson – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- Space Nova – Suzanne Ryan, Yasmin Jones – SLR Productions and Giggle Garage (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Stand-Up Special
- Aunty Donna: The Magical Dead Cat – Jessica Galea, Georgia Mappin, Tom Downey
- Celia Pacquola: I’m As Surprised As You Are – Kevin Whyte, Celia Pacquola
- Claire Hooper: So Proud – Kyran Nicholson, Claire Hooper
- Geraldine Hickey: Don’t Tease Me About My Gloves – Kevin Whyte, Geraldine Hickey
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival – The Allstars Supershow – Rowdie Walden, Susan Provan
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival – The Gala – Rowdie Walden, Susan Provan
AACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment Program
- Alone Australia – Riima Daher, Joseph McMahon, Beth Hart, Keely Sonntag – ITV Studios Australia (SBS)
- Gogglebox Australia – David McDonald, Will Minchin, Natasha Pizzica – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)
- Muster Dogs Collies and Kelpies – Michael Boughen, Matthew Street, Lauren Rudd – Ambience Entertainment Pty Ltd (ABC)
- Take 5 with Zan Rowe – Zan Rowe, Nikita Agzarian, Josh Schmidt – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- The Piano – Bethan Briegel-Jones, Gemma Murphy, Josie Mason Campbell – Eureka Productions (ABC)
- The Secret DNA of Us – Josie Mason Campbell, Sophie Meyrick – Eureka Productions (SBS)
AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program
- End Game with Tony Armstrong – Steve Bibb, Dan Brown – Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films, Allstory Pictures and Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films, Allstory Pictures (ABC)
- I Was Actually There – Loni Cooper, Josh Schmidt, Julie Hanna – Docker Media (ABC)
- The Assembly – Melissa Maclean, Mark Fennessy, Therese Hegarty, Julie Hanna – Helium Pictures (ABC)
- The Kimberley – Electra Manikakis, Nick Robinson, Peta Ayers, Mark Coles Smith – Wild Pacific Media (ABC)
- The People vs Robodebt – Paula Bycroft, Michael Cordell, Andrew Farrell – CJZ (SBS)
- Who Do You Think You Are? – Maxine Gray, Carolyn Kung – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd (SBS)
AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program
- Gardening Australia – Gill Lomas – ABC (ABC)
- Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)
- Love it or List it Australia – Karen Warner, Geoff Fitzpatrick, John Luscombe, Howard Myers-Rifai – Beyond Productions (Binge, Foxtel)
- Restoration Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)
- Selling Houses Australia – Caroline Swift, Kam Vurlow, Monique Bushby – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd (Binge, Foxtel)
- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw – Emily Griggs, Gavin Jarrett – SBS (SBS)
AACTA Award for Best Reality Program presented by Network Ten
- Australian Idol – Joel McCormack, Riccy Felixberto, Wes Dening – Eureka Productions (Seven Network)
- Australian Survivor: Australia v The World – Amelia Fisk, David Forster, Phoebe McMahon, Toby Trappel – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)
- Married At First Sight Australia – Tara McWilliams, Alexandra Spurway, Stevo Petkovic, Dimi Theodoulou – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)
- MasterChef Australia – Marty Benson, Adam Fergusson, Eoin Maher, April Mackay – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)
- The Amazing Race – Rikkie Proost, Alenka Henry, Jane Rowley – Eureka Productions (Network Ten)
- The Great Australian Bake Off – Emily Commens, Amanda Bainbridge, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Productions Australia (Binge, Foxtel)
AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Film
- Bring Her Back – Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman
- Inside – Charles Williams
- Lesbian Space Princess – Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese
- The Correspondent – Peter Duncan
- Together – Michael Shanks
AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Angela Betzien
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 6 – Samantha Strauss
- Mix Tape – Episode 1 – Jo Spain
- The Newsreader – Episode 6 – Michael Lucas
- The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer – Episode 1 – Sarah L. Walker
AACTA Award for Best Short Film
- Beyond Measure – David Ferrier (Dir.) – North of 40 Buttons
- Dependent – Julian Maroun, Marcus Fredrick Khoudair, Joseph Chebatte (Dir.), Emma Elias – The Mad Collab
- DIY – Tony Gardiner (Dir.), Lachlan Marks – Third generation Films and One Nine Media
- Don’t Ignore Me – Raymond Mendez, Charli Fletcher (Dir.), Rosangela Fasano, Bianca Kean – NoFilter Productions
- I’m The Most Racist Person I Know – Leela Varghese (Dir.), Suriyna Sivashanker, Shabana Azeez
- Red River Cowboy – Grace Wriggles (Dir.) – Grace Wriggles Films and Black Phoenix Productions
- The Shirt Off Your Back – Julia Corcoran, Ari Harrison, David Robinson-Smith (Dir.) – Sanctuary Pictures and Ripple Pictures
- Writers in Love – Sarah Giles (Dir.), Grace Malouf, Jacqueline Kerwick – Portal Productions Pty Ltd
AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy
- A Series of Unfortunate Dates – Amy Raffe – White Bonnet Films
- Long Head – Millie Holten, Annabelle Ots, Dan Ilic – Not A Real Media Company Pty Ltd
- Not Russian Anywhere – Annisa Belonogoff, Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien, Lucinda Bruce, Nicole Scharf – Anakie Street
- Ruff & Ruby – Jessica Trinity Fisher – Jessica Trinity Fisher
- The Worst That Could Happen – Lachlan Macfarlane, Austin Macfarlane, Rita Artmann, Monique Mulcahy – Haven’t You Done Well Productions
- ‘Til You Make It – Philip Hayden, Emma Choy, Scott Major, Riley Sugars, Gemma Louise Murphy – ‘Til You Make It Productions Pty Ltd
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Nonfiction Television
- Aunty Donna: The Magical Dead Cat – Max Miller, Sam Lingham
- Australian Survivor: Australia v The World – Episode 1 – Richard Franc, Mark McEvilly
- I Was Actually There – Episode 4 – Kirk Docker
- The Kimberley – Episode 1 – Nick Robinson
- The People vs Robodebt – Episode 2 – Ben Lawrence
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Film
- Beast of War – Mark Wareham
- Bring Her Back – Aaron McLisky
- The Correspondent – Geoffrey Hall
- The Surfer – Radek Ladczuk
- Went Up The Hill – Tyson Perkins
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Toby Oliver
- Mystery Road Origin – Episode 5 – Sky Davies
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Sam Chiplin
- The Newsreader – Episode 3 – Earle Dresner
- The Survivors – Episode 3 – Mark Wareham
AACTA Award for Best Editing in Film presented by Spectrum Films
- Beast of War – Kiah Roache Turner, Stephen Evans, Regg Skwarko
- Bring Her Back – Geoff Lamb
- The Correspondent – Veronika Jenet
- The Surfer – Tony Cranstoun
- Together – Sean Lahiff
AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Mat Evans, Annette Davey
- Invisible Boys – Episode 9 – Peter Pritchard
- Mystery Road Origin – Episode 5 – Nicholas Holmes
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Alexandre de Franceschi
- The Newsreader – Episode 6 – Julie-Anne De Ruvo
AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Film
- Bring Her Back – Cornel Wilczek
- Lesbian Space Princess – Michael Darren
- The Correspondent – Tom Ellard
- The Surfer – Francois Tetaz
- Together – Cornel Wilczek
AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Cornel Wilczek
- Mix Tape – Episode 1 – Chiara Costanza
- Mystery Road Origin – Episode 5 – Vincent Goodyer
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Jed Kurzel
- The Survivors – Episode 3 – Thomas Rouch, Cornel Wilczek
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Film
- Bring Her Back – Vanessa Cerne
- Lesbian Space Princess – Emma Hough Hobbs
- The Correspondent – Fiona Donovan
- Together – Nicholas Dare
- Went Up The Hill – Sherree Philips
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Melinda Doring
- Mystery Road Origin – Episode 5 – Herbert Pinter
- Ten Pound Poms – Episode 1 – Scott Bird
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Alice Babidge, Bev Dunn, Paul Sarpi
- The Newsreader – Episode 3 – Paddy Reardon
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Film
- Beast of War – Tracey Rose Sparke
- Bring Her Back – Anna Cahill
- Spit – Phill Eagles
- The Correspondent – Joanna Mae Park
- The Surfer – Lien See Leong
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Cappi Ireland
- Mix Tape – Joanna Mae Park, Suzanne Keogh
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Alice Babidge
- The Newsreader – Gypsy Taylor
- The Survivors – Lien See Leong
AACTA Award for Best Sound in Film
- Bring Her Back – Emma Bortignon, Nick Steele, Hamish Keen, Cameron Grant, Lachlan Harris, Pete Smith
- Spit – Stuart Morton
- The Correspondent – Liam Egan, Angus Robertson, Lara Cross, Michael Newton
- Together – Paul Pirola, Matt Lapthorne
- Went Up The Hill – Robert McKenzie, Chris Hiles, Justin Spaveski, Leah Katz
AACTA Award for Best Sound in Television
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Episode 5 – Luke Mynott, Tania Vlassova, Cihan Saral, Michael Newton, Nick Godkin, Evan McHugh
- Mix Tape – Episode 1 – Stuart Morton, Jonathan Mendolicchio, Lara Cross, Daniel Birch
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1 – Andy Wright, Mick Boraso, Nick Emond, Glenn Newnham
- The Survivors – Episode 6 – Emma Bortignon, Stephen Witherow, Tobi Armbruster
- The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer – Episode 1 – Trevor Hope, Dino Giacomin, Rob Sullivan, James Andrews
AACTA Award for Best Casting in Film presented by Casting Networks
- Bring Her Back – Nikki Barrett
- Inside – Nikki Barrett, Natalie Wall
- Kangaroo – Anousha Zarkesh
- The Correspondent – Anousha Zarkesh
- The Surfer – Jane Norris
AACTA Award for Best Casting in Television presented by Casting Networks
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Kirsty McGregor
- Mystery Road Origin – Anousha Zarkesh
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Nikki Barrett, Kelly Graham
- The Newsreader – Nathan Lloyd
- The Survivors – Jane Norris
AACTA Award for Best Hair and Makeup
- Bring Her Back – Rebecca Buratto, Larry Van Duynhoven, Paul Katte, Nick Nicolaou, Karen Gower, Mariel McClorey
- It Will Find You – Amber Adams, Adam Johansen, Damian Martin
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Angela Conte
- Together – Larry Van Duynhoven, Ellie Daniel, Brydie Stone, Julian Dimase
- We Bury The Dead – Hayley Atherton, Jason Baird, Sean Genders
AACTA Award for Best Original Song
- Dangerous (Ryan Bingham) – Dangerous Animals
- Head South (Jonathan Ogilvie, Stella Bennett, Michael Daly, Grant Horsnell) – Head South
- Here I Go (Leela Varghese, Gemma Chua-Tran, Michael Darren) – Lesbian Space Princess
- Night & Day (Dominic Cabusi, Bronte Maree O’Neill, Herana, Steady Okurame) – Carmen & Bolude
- The Chase (Elliott Wheeler, Shannon Sanders) – Spit
- Went Up the Hill (Vicky Krieps) – Went Up The Hill
AACTA Award for Best Soundtrack
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Jemma Burns
- Bring Her Back – Andrew Koťátko
- Kangaroo – Jemma Burns
- Mixtape – Rory McPartland, Dina Coughlan
- Mystery Road: Origin – Jemma Burns
- Playing Gracie Darling – Julia Webster, Jamie Richter
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary
- Ellis Park – Germain McMicking
- Journey Home, David Gulpilil – Allan Collins, Anna Cadden, Maggie Miles
- The Kimberley – Episode 1 – Jack Riley, Nick Robinson, Caspar Mazzotti, Paul Bell
- The Wolves Always Come at Night – Michael Latham
- Yurlu | Country – Tom Bannigan
AACTA Award for Best Editing in a Documentary
- Ellis Park – Nick Fenton
- Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke – Aleck Morton
- The People vs Robodebt – Episode 2 – Gretchen Peterson
- The Wolves Always Come at Night – Katharina Fiedler
- Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story – Peter Crombie
AACTA Award for Best Original Score in a Documentary
- Journey Home, David Gulpilil – David Bridie
- Revealed: Death Cap Murders – Simon Walbrook
- Songs Inside – Amanda Brown
- Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story – Helena Czajka
- Yurlu | Country – Helena Czajka
AACTA Award for Best Sound in a Documentary
- Cold Chisel: The Big 5-0 – Travis Handley, Stephen Hopes
- Journey Home, David Gulpilil – David Williams, Josh Williams
- Songs Inside – Tom Heuzenroeder
- Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story – Nigel Christensen, Michael Ackroyd, James Andrews
- Yurlu | Country – Sam Hayward
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.
Tickets for AACTA Festival events and the AACTA Awards Ceremonies, including Live! by the Lake, are available now at aactafestival.com.
Media Release – AACTA
TV Central AACTA content HERE
2026 AACTA Award Nominees Announced
