AACTA 2027 Awards: Entries open as television categories receive major changes – Entries are now open for the 2027 AACTA Awards. The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts has also confirmed a return to the Gold Coast and a reshaped group of television categories.
The changes give comedy acting a clearer pathway. They also separate reality competition from factual entertainment. That distinction better reflects the different kinds of unscripted programs made for Australian audiences.
AACTA Awards return to the Gold Coast
The AACTA Awards will return to the Gold Coast in February 2027 for a fourth consecutive year. The event will celebrate Australian and international screen talent across film, television, documentary, short-form and digital storytelling.
More details about the award ceremonies, AACTA Festival and AACTA Screen Careers Expo will be announced in the coming months.
New comedy acting categories
The former Best Comedy Performer award has been replaced with two categories: Best Lead Acting in a Comedy and Best Supporting Acting in a Comedy.
These awards bring comedy acting into closer alignment with the Academy’s broader acting categories. They also give performers more specific recognition.
Reality and factual entertainment changes
The Best Reality Competition Program category will focus on large-scale competition formats. Eligible programs previously considered for Best Reality Television Series may instead be assessed in Best Reality Competition Program or Best Factual Entertainment Program.
Best Factual Entertainment Program has also been broadened. It now covers lifestyle and factual programming built around real people, places and experiences. Best Comedy Entertainment Program has been incorporated into Best Entertainment Program.
AACTA said its film awards remain unchanged for 2027.
For more awards and Australian screen industry coverage, visit TV Central’s AACTA section. For entry information and the full 2027 category details, visit the official AACTA announcement.
