“Bring Her Back” emerged as the night’s biggest victor at the 2026 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group, claiming 10 trophies from 16 nominations at the ceremony held Friday at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
The film’s haul included best film, direction, editing, cinematography, casting, original score, sound, costume design, hair and makeup, and lead actress for Sally Hawkins. The awards ceremony, hosted by Celeste Barber, represents Australia’s premier celebration of screen achievement across film, television, documentary, online and short-form content.
In television, “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” asserted itself as the dominant force with nine wins from 12 nominations, including best actor in a drama for Jacob Elordi. “The Newsreader” maintained its award-winning momentum with four victories from 12 nominations, including best drama series, while “Apple Cider Vinegar” secured the best miniseries honor.
“This year’s AACTA Awards recognise the remarkable depth and diversity of Australian screen talent,” said AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. “From critically-acclaimed productions to audience favorites, the winners showcase the strength of our industry and the stories that continue to resonate locally and globally.”
The Australian Academy also recognized outstanding individual contributions through special honors. Bruce Beresford received the AACTA Longford Lyell Award, while Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings were presented with the Byron Kennedy Award. Kate Armon and Craig Smith earned the Reg Grundy Award, Sarah Snook claimed the Trailblazer Award, and Clare Hughes received the Brian Walsh Award.
The 2026 AACTA Audience Choice Awards, voted by audiences worldwide, celebrated fan favorites including “Stranger Things” (Season 5) and “Wicked: For Good” alongside homegrown talent Margot Robbie, Elordi and Robert Irwin.
New categories made their debut at this year’s ceremony. “Shameless” won the inaugural best podcast award, Norris Nuts claimed best online channel, Bridey Drake secured best digital creator for the second consecutive year, and Mekonnen Knife earned the Rabanne Breakthrough Artist Award.
“It has been an incredible year for Australian film and television and the AACTA Awards highlight the imagination and craft at the heart of Australian storytelling,” said Daniel Monaghan, executive director of entertainment content at Foxtel Group. “Congratulations to the winners, nominees and everyone recognised.”
Among the evening’s attendees were Sarah Snook, Brian Cox, Phoebe Tonkin and Dacre Montgomery.
COMPLETE WINNERS LIST
FILM
Best Film: “Bring Her Back”
Best Direction in Film: “Bring Her Back”
Best Lead Actor in Film: Richard Roxburgh – “The Correspondent”
Best Lead Actress in Film: Sally Hawkins – “Bring Her Back”
Best Supporting Actor in Film: Julian McMahon – “The Surfer”
Best Supporting Actress in Film: Deborah Mailman – “Kangaroo”
Best Screenplay in Film: “The Correspondent”
Best Indie Film: “Lesbian Space Princess”
Best Cinematography in Film: “Bring Her Back”
Best Editing in Film presented by Spectrum Films: “Bring Her Back”
Best Production Design in Film: “The Correspondent”
Best Costume Design in Film: “Bring Her Back”
Best Sound in Film: “Bring Her Back”
Best Original Score in Film: “Bring Her Back”
Best Casting in Film presented by Casting Networks: “Bring Her Back”
TELEVISION
Best Drama Series: “The Newsreader”
Best Miniseries: “Apple Cider Vinegar”
Best Narrative Comedy Series: “Bump”
Best Lead Actor in a Drama presented by Binge: Jacob Elordi – “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Lead Actress in a Drama presented by Binge: Anna Torv – “The Newsreader”
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: Daniel Henshall – “The Newsreader”
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Heather Mitchell – “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Acting in a Comedy: Miranda Tapsell – “Top End Bub”
Best Direction in Drama or Comedy: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Screenplay in Television: “The Newsreader”
Best Cinematography in Television: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Editing in Television: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Production Design in Television: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Costume Design in Television: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Sound in Television: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Original Score in Television: “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
Best Casting in Television presented by Casting Networks: “Apple Cider Vinegar”
Best Documentary or Factual Program: “The People vs Robodebt”
Best Direction in Nonfiction Television: “The People vs Robodebt”
Best Factual Entertainment Program: “Alone Australia”
Best Entertainment Program presented by Gravity Media: “Portrait Artist of the Year”
Best Comedy Entertainment Program: “Hard Quiz”
Best Comedy Performer: Tom Gleeson – “Hard Quiz”
Best Stand-Up Special: Celia Pacquola: “I’m As Surprised As You Are”
Best Lifestyle Program: “Grand Designs Australia”
Best Reality Program presented by Network Ten: “The Great Australian Bake Off”
Best Children’s Program: “Play School: All Together”
DOCUMENTARY
Best Documentary: “Journey Home, David Gulpilil”
Best Cinematography in a Documentary: “The Kimberley”
Best Editing in a Documentary: “Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story”
Best Sound in a Documentary: “Yurlu | Country”
Best Original Score in a Documentary: “Journey Home, David Gulpilil”
SHORT FILM
Best Short Film: “I’m The Most Racist Person I Know”
ONLINE
Best Online Drama or Comedy: “A Series of Unfortunate Dates”
OTHER
Best Hair and Makeup: “Bring Her Back”
Best Original Song: “Here I Go” – “Lesbian Space Princess”
Best Soundtrack: “Mix Tape”
Best Visual Effects or Animation: “Tron: Ares”
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
2026 AACTA Longford Lyell Award: Bruce Beresford
2026 AACTA Byron Kennedy Award: Kristina Ceyton, Samantha Jennings
2026 AACTA Reg Grundy Award: Kate Armon, Craig Smith
2026 AACTA Trailblazer Award: Sarah Snook
2026 AACTA Brian Walsh Award: Clare Hughes
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Favorite TV Show: “Stranger Things” (Season 5)
Favorite Film: “Wicked: For Good”
Favorite Australian Actress: Margot Robbie
Favorite Australian Actor: Jacob Elordi
Favorite Media Personality: Robert Irwin
Favorite Australian Podcast: “Shameless”
Favorite Australian Music Video: The Kid Laroi – “A Cold Play”
Favorite Online Channel: Norris Nuts @norrisnuts
Favorite Digital Creator: Bridey Drake @brideydrake
Rabanne Breakthrough Artist: Mekonnen Knife
