Celeste Barber to host the 2026 AACTA Awards – One of Australia’s most beloved entertainers, actor and comedian Celeste Barber brings her wit, infectious charm and unmistakable Aussie humour to the country’s biggest night for film and television, promising an unforgettable AACTA Awards Ceremony.
Celeste Barber said:
“This is going to be so fun. As I won’t be winning, because I’m not nominated for an AACTA Award this year, I may as well host the show. I’m so bloody excited to celebrate the biggest Australian TV and films of the year.”
A GLOBAL STAGE, A STAR-STUDDED LINEUP
AACTA Festival 2026 will welcome an extraordinary lineup of Australian and international screen talent, including a dazzling roster of AACTA Awards presenters and guests including: Sarah Snook, Dacre Montgomery, Baz Luhrmann, Brian Cox, Sam Neill, Asher Keddie, Danielle Cormack, Joseph Zada, David Wenham, Guy Montgomery, Brenton Thwaites, Tuuli Narkle, Richard Wilkins, Delta Goodrem, Mandy Walker, Angela Bishop, Rove McManus, Phoebe Tonkin, Bryan Brown, Margaret Pomeranz, Shane Jacobson, Marta Dusseldorp, Steph Tisdell, Pia Miranda, Shabana Azeez, Yerin Ha, Fred Schepisi, Kat Stewart, Thomas Cocquerel, alongside Catherine Martin.
From Hollywood heavyweights to breakout stars, comedy favourites to screen legends, the 2026 AACTA Awards and Festival celebrates the depth, diversity and global impact of Australian screen storytelling. The 2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony will be broadcast in Australia on Channel 10 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 (Famous and available On-Demand). International broadcast details to be announced soon.
A FESTIVAL THAT GOES BEYOND THE RED CARPET
Running across five packed days from 4 – 8 February, AACTA Festival brings fans closer than ever to the people and stories shaping film, television and digital culture. Festival highlights include in-conversation events, headline panels, comedy showcases, filmmaker masterclasses and live talks featuring:
- Dacre Montgomery In Conversation. Sit down with the acclaimed actor from Stranger Things.
- Baz Luhrmann – Experience a curated double screening event celebrating the visionary director’s work
- Sarah Snook AACTA Trailblazer In Conversation. An intimate discussion with one of Australia’s leading actors.
- Yerin Ha, Bridgerton’s New Leading Lady. A deep dive with the breakout star of Bridgerton.
- Phoebe Tonkin and Brenton Thwaites at the World Premiere of Paramount+’s Two Years Later. Join the cast at the world premiere of the highly anticipated series.
- Shabana Azeez joins us for Hour by Hour: Shabana Azeez in The Pitt. An insightful session exploring the craft behind her acclaimed role.
- Anna Torv In Conversation with Anna Torv & Emma Freeman. A rare live discussion revealing creative process and career highlights.
- Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS Behind the Lens. Celebrating the visionary cinematographer’s work and influence.
Whether you’re a die-hard screen fan, emerging creative, industry professional or pop-culture aficionado, AACTA Festival offers rare access, bold conversations, screenings, industry panels, career workshops, and interactive sessions, see full program at aactafestival.com.
Audiences are also invited to be part of the excitement and join the stars on the red carpet with tickets on sale now for the AACTA Awards Live! by the Lake event on Friday 6th February. Adding to the celebrations, fan-favourite comedian and broadcaster Ed Kavalee will host the AACTA Awards Industry Gala on Wednesday 4th February, where Australia’s screen industry will gather to honour the craft, creativity and talent behind the year’s most outstanding work. Tickets for the AACTA Award ceremonies and AACTA Festival events are available at aactafestival.com
A LIFETIME OF AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EXCELLENCE: BRUCE BERESFORD TO RECEIVE THE 2026 LONGFORD LYELL AWARD
AACTA will honour one of Australia’s most influential filmmakers, Bruce Beresford, as the recipient of the 2026 AACTA Longford Lyell Award, recognising an extraordinary career that has shaped Australian cinema and storytelling for more than five decades. A director whose work has resonated both locally and internationally, Beresford’s films are celebrated for their humanity, wit and enduring cultural impact.
Beresford’s remarkable body of work includes landmark Australian and international titles such as Breaker Morant, Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy, Black Robe and Don’s Party earning critical acclaim, Academy Award recognition and a lasting place in screen history. His contribution has helped define Australia’s voice on the global stage, inspiring generations of filmmakers and creatives.
The 2026 Longford Lyell Award will be presented to Bruce Beresford live on stage at the AACTA Awards Ceremony on Friday 6 February, with the honour bestowed by long-time collaborator and screen icon Bryan Brown, marking a powerful moment of celebration for Australian screen culture.
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 Awards Broadcast: 7.30pm AEDT on Channel Ten
- AACTA Screen Careers Expo: Saturday 7 February 2026
- For information on the AACTA Festival, click here.
AACTA FESTIVAL 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.
Media Release – AACTA
TV Central AACTA Awards HERE
Celeste Barber to host the 2026 AACTA Awards
