The 2026 AACTA Awards: Bring Her Back and The Narrow Road Dominate

The 2026 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards ceremony, held on the Gold Coast and broadcast on Network Ten on February 6, recognized outstanding achievements across Australian film and television productions. Horror-thriller Bring Her Back swept the film categories with 10 awards, while miniseries The Narrow Road to The Deep North secured 9 accolades in television. The event also provided a platform for crucial discussions on industry funding and content creation.

Bring Her Back received 10 AACTA awards from 16 nominations in film categories, and The Narrow Road to The Deep North secured 9 awards from 12 nominations in television.

Film Category Triumphs

The horror-thriller film Bring Her Back was the undisputed winner in film, taking home 10 AACTA awards from 16 nominations. This included the coveted Best Film and Best Direction for Danny and Michael Philippou. Sally Hawkins was honored with Best Lead Actress for her compelling performance in the film.

The production also received a string of technical and craft awards:

• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Best Original Score
• Best Sound
• Best Costume Design
• Best Hair and Makeup
• Best Casting

Additionally, producers Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings of Causeway Films were presented with the prestigious Byron Kennedy Award.

Kate Woods's second film, the family comedy Kangaroo, received six nominations, including Best Film and Best Direction. It was the most commercially successful Australian film of 2025, earning $5.6 million at the local box office. Deborah Mailman earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in Kangaroo.

The Correspondent, which had 14 nominations, saw Richard Roxburgh win Best Lead Actor in Film. The compelling drama also secured awards for Best Screenplay and Best Production Design.

• Journey Home, David Gulpilil was recognized as Best Documentary Film.
• Lesbian Space Princess took home the award for Best Indie Film.
• The late Julian McMahon posthumously received Best Supporting Actor in Film for his performance in The Surfer.

Television Dominance

The miniseries The Narrow Road to The Deep North was a major success in television, securing 9 AACTA awards from 12 nominations. Jacob Elordi was awarded Best Lead Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of Dorrigo Evans, while Heather Mitchell received Best Supporting Actress.

The series also garnered several technical accolades:

• Best Sound in Television
• Best Cinematography in Television
• Best Editing in Television

The Newsreader (Season 3) continued its critical success, receiving 4 awards, including Best Drama Series. Anna Torv won Best Lead Actress in a Drama, and Daniel Henshall secured Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. Michael Lucas was awarded Best Screenplay in Television for Episode 6 of the series.

Apple Cider Vinegar, a fictionalized account of Belle Gibson's public downfall, was recognized with Best Miniseries and Best Casting from its 20 nominations. Samantha Strauss was acknowledged for her screenplay contribution to Episode 6.

In the comedy categories:

• Bump was awarded Best Narrative Comedy Series.
• Miranda Tapsell received Best Acting in a Comedy for her role in Top End Bub.

Further television accolades included:

• Hard Quiz for Best Comedy Entertainment Program, with its host Tom Gleeson named Best Comedy Performer.
• Play School: All Together won Best Children’s Program.
• The People vs Robodebt won Best Documentary or Factual Program and Best Direction in Nonfiction Television.
• Grand Designs Australia was recognized as Best Lifestyle Program.

Individual Honors and Special Accolades

Sarah Snook was a standout, honored with AACTA’s Trailblazer Award and winning Best International Actress in a Series for All Her Fault. She had previously received a Critics Choice award for All Her Fault and a Tony award for The Picture of Dorian Gray, marking a year of significant achievement.

Jacob Elordi also received dual recognition, being awarded the audience choice for Favourite Australian Actor and the International AACTA for Best Actor in a Film for Frankenstein.

Veteran filmmaker Bruce Beresford was presented with the prestigious Longford Lyell lifetime achievement award. Margot Robbie was named Favourite Australian Actress by audience vote.

Industry Trends and Funding Discussions

The awards ceremony unfolded amidst ongoing discussions within the Australian film and television industry concerning funding and production volumes. Screen Australia's annual drama report for 2024-25 indicated a 14% increase in overall spending on Australian movies and TV shows, reaching $1.1 billion. Notably, spending on Australian movies alone rose by 76% to $379 million in the same period.

Despite this increase in expenditure, the number of commissioned Australian titles experienced a decline, from 89 to 71. New quotas for streaming services, which mandate that 10% of local expenditure or 7.5% of revenue be invested in Australian content, are anticipated to address this trend and stimulate local production.

Director Kate Woods of Kangaroo advocated for increased international funding to support the creation of commercial yet distinctly Australian stories. Danny Philippou, co-director of Bring Her Back, emphasized the crucial importance of industry support for emerging filmmakers.

The industry faces a paradox of increased spending but fewer commissioned titles, highlighting the need for strategic investment and support to foster both established and emerging Australian talent.