The 2026 AACTA Awards are here!
We are updating as the award winners are officially released.
- And discover everything you need to know about the AACTA Awards here.
- Discover the best moments of the night here.
Television
AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program:
Hard Quiz
Stream it on ABC iView
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama:
Heather Mitchell – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Watch it on Prime
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama:
Daniel Henshall – The Newsreader
Stream it on ABC iView
AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series:
Bump
Stream it on Stan
Trailblazer Award
Sarah Snook
Her Succession co-star Brian Cox presented the Trailblazer Award to Sarah Snook.
“She is the real deal; the absolute real deal. She’s extraordinary…She’s one of the best screen partners I’ve ever had; if not the best,” he said of the Australian actress.
In her acceptance speech, Sarah said it was an “incredible honour” and thanked all the people who came before her and blazed the trail for her. She also made a special thanks to her husband David calling him “A wonderful pair of gumboots.”
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama presented by BINGE
Jacob Elordi – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Jacob is currently on a press tour for ‘Wuthering Heights’, so a video of him thanking the committee was played instead.
Watch it on Prime
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama presented by BINGE
Anna Torv – The Newsreader
“For all the Helens that are told you’re too much, you’re not,” said Anna Torv on her second AACTA Award win.
Stream it on ABC iView
AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program
Play School: All Together
The iconic show is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary this year!
Stream it on ABC iView
AACTA Award for Best Reality Program presented by Network Ten
The Great Australian Bake Off
Stream it on BINGE.
AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy
Miranda Tapsell – Top End Bub
“I made this show because I care about my mob,” Miranda said via a pre-recorded video. “All we’ve got is our stories so that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
AACTA Award for Best Miniseries
Apple Cider Vinegar
Stream on Netflix
AACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment Program
Alone Australia
It has been nominated in previous years, but this is the shows first AACTA win! The next series is taking it to the next level and we can’t wait to see it.
Stream it on SBS On Demand
AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program presented by Gravity Media
Portrait Artist of the Year
Luke McGregor, co-host of the show with Miranda Tapsell, accepted the award.
“Thank you to my wife…and then everyone else,” he says and feigns looking at a note. “There are no names, it just says “Believe in yourself.”
2026 AACTA International Award for Best Actor in a Series
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Stream on Prime
2026 AACTA International Award for Best Actress in a Series
Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Sarah dedicated her second award of the night to parensts:
“It’s our greatest duty to raise the next generation, so thank you.”
Stream on BINGE
AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performer
Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz
Film
AACTA Award for Best Film
Bring Her Back
Baz Lurhmann presented the award to the directors and brothers, Michael Philippou, Danny Philippou, saying beforehand, “The Australian film industry’s in amazing hands,” referencing them sepecifically.
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Film
Bring Her Back
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in Film
Deborah Mailman – Kangaroo
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in Film
Julian McMahon – The Surfer
Julilan passed away in 2025, The Surfer was his last role.
“A win after so much loss, I dedicate this to you Australia.”
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in Film
Richard Roxburgh – The Correspondent
Richard wasn’t there to accept, so Peter, the person who Richard is protraying in the film accepted on his behalf!
Peter dediciated the award to the journalists who have put their lives on the line, and indeed lost their lives, for the truth.
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in Film
Sally Hawkins – Bring Her Back
AACTA International Award for Best Lead Actress in Film
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor in Film
Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Individual Awards
2026 AACTA Byron Kennedy Award
Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings
The Byron Kennedy Award honours “outstanding creative enterprise within the film and television industries”. This year the award goes to Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings who have been globally recognised for their work.
2026 AACTA Reg Grundy Award
Kate Armon and Craig Smith
AACTA Audience Choice Award for Rabanne Breakthrough Artist
Mekonnen Knife
2026 AACTA Longford Lyell Award Recipient
Bruce Beresford
2026 AACTA Brian Walsh Award
Clare Hughes
This award celebrates emerging Australian talent and is funded by Nicole Kidman.
“Thank you Nicole Kidman,” Clare said in her acceptance speech. “I can’t believe I’m thanking Nicole Kidman.”
The complete awards list can be found on the AACTA Awards website.
