Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards 2026: Horror Film 'Bring Her Back' Reigns Supreme
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has once again set the stage for Australia's finest talent with its 2026 awards, and this year's winners have solidified their places in the pantheon of Australian filmmaking. The horror film 'Bring Her Back', directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, emerged as the most awarded film of the night, taking home a staggering ten AACTA awards.
The Adelaide brothers' achievement marks a significant milestone for them, surpassing their eight wins from 2024's global breakout hit 'Talk to Me'. The film's dominance can be attributed to its technical excellence, with wins in categories such as direction, film, leading actress (Sally Hawkins), cinematography, editing, original score, sound, costume design, hair and makeup, and casting.
Jacob Elordi's triumph at the awards is a testament to his versatility as an actor. Fresh from winning the Critics' Choice Movie award for his portrayal of the Creature in Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein', Elordi took home the AACTA award for best lead actor in a drama for his role as army surgeon Dorrigo Evans in the screen adaptation of Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize-winning novel 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North'. This win solidifies Elordi's position in the running for several prestigious international awards, including the Oscar, Bafta, and Screen Actors Guild award.
Elordi also won the audience choice award for favourite Australian actor, further cementing his status as a rising star in the industry. Currently on a publicity tour for 'Wuthering Heights', scheduled for global release next week, Elordi accepted his awards via a pre-recorded video link.
The AACTA awards have recognized talent across various categories, including television productions. The standout television production this year was 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North', which won nine AACTA awards from 12 nominations, including best supporting actress for Heather Mitchell.
Despite initial dominance with 20 nominations, Netflix miniseries 'Apple Cider Vinegar' ultimately took home only two awards: best miniseries and best casting. The third season of ABC series 'The Newsreader' finished the night with four wins, taking the show's total AACTA wins to 15.
Other notable winners include 'Bump', which won best narrative comedy series, Miranda Tapsell, who won best acting in a comedy for her performance in 'Top End Bub'. SBS's three-part docudrama series 'The People vs Robodebt' took home two awards, including best documentary or factual program and best direction in nonfiction television.
Grand Designs Australia won the award for best lifestyle program, while Play School: All Together took home the award for best children's program. Hard Quiz won both the award for best comedy entertainment program and best comedy performer for its host Tom Gleeson. In a heartfelt tribute to Kim Williams, Gleeson dedicated his awards to her.
In the film categories, 'The Correspondent', a dramatisation of Peter Greste's trial and imprisonment in Egypt, earned Richard Roxburgh the AACTA award for best lead actor in a film. The film also won awards for best screenplay and best production design.
Veteran filmmaker Bruce Beresford was recognised with the Longford Lyell lifetime achievement award, presented by Bryan Brown with video tributes from Morgan Freeman, Kyle MacLachlan, Susie Porter, and Shane Jacobsen.
The AACTA ceremony, held on the Gold Coast, featured a star-studded host line-up, including comedian Celeste Barber, Succession duo Sarah Snook and Brian Cox, Boy Swallows Universe's Phoebe Tonkin, and Stranger Things actor Dacre Montgomery.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has once again set the stage for Australia's finest talent with its 2026 awards, and this year's winners have solidified their places in the pantheon of Australian filmmaking. The horror film 'Bring Her Back', directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, emerged as the most awarded film of the night, taking home a staggering ten AACTA awards.
The Adelaide brothers' achievement marks a significant milestone for them, surpassing their eight wins from 2024's global breakout hit 'Talk to Me'. The film's dominance can be attributed to its technical excellence, with wins in categories such as direction, film, leading actress (Sally Hawkins), cinematography, editing, original score, sound, costume design, hair and makeup, and casting.
Jacob Elordi's triumph at the awards is a testament to his versatility as an actor. Fresh from winning the Critics' Choice Movie award for his portrayal of the Creature in Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein', Elordi took home the AACTA award for best lead actor in a drama for his role as army surgeon Dorrigo Evans in the screen adaptation of Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize-winning novel 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North'. This win solidifies Elordi's position in the running for several prestigious international awards, including the Oscar, Bafta, and Screen Actors Guild award.
Elordi also won the audience choice award for favourite Australian actor, further cementing his status as a rising star in the industry. Currently on a publicity tour for 'Wuthering Heights', scheduled for global release next week, Elordi accepted his awards via a pre-recorded video link.
The AACTA awards have recognized talent across various categories, including television productions. The standout television production this year was 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North', which won nine AACTA awards from 12 nominations, including best supporting actress for Heather Mitchell.
Despite initial dominance with 20 nominations, Netflix miniseries 'Apple Cider Vinegar' ultimately took home only two awards: best miniseries and best casting. The third season of ABC series 'The Newsreader' finished the night with four wins, taking the show's total AACTA wins to 15.
Other notable winners include 'Bump', which won best narrative comedy series, Miranda Tapsell, who won best acting in a comedy for her performance in 'Top End Bub'. SBS's three-part docudrama series 'The People vs Robodebt' took home two awards, including best documentary or factual program and best direction in nonfiction television.
Grand Designs Australia won the award for best lifestyle program, while Play School: All Together took home the award for best children's program. Hard Quiz won both the award for best comedy entertainment program and best comedy performer for its host Tom Gleeson. In a heartfelt tribute to Kim Williams, Gleeson dedicated his awards to her.
In the film categories, 'The Correspondent', a dramatisation of Peter Greste's trial and imprisonment in Egypt, earned Richard Roxburgh the AACTA award for best lead actor in a film. The film also won awards for best screenplay and best production design.
Veteran filmmaker Bruce Beresford was recognised with the Longford Lyell lifetime achievement award, presented by Bryan Brown with video tributes from Morgan Freeman, Kyle MacLachlan, Susie Porter, and Shane Jacobsen.
The AACTA ceremony, held on the Gold Coast, featured a star-studded host line-up, including comedian Celeste Barber, Succession duo Sarah Snook and Brian Cox, Boy Swallows Universe's Phoebe Tonkin, and Stranger Things actor Dacre Montgomery.
It's amazing to see Aussie talent getting recognition globally. Jacob Elordi is on fire right now, I mean, winning Critics' Choice Movie award and now the AACTA one too? He's got the whole industry buzzing about him 
And Sally Hawkins was perfection as always. The way she brought her character to life was just wow 
. Can't wait for 'Wuthering Heights' to come out, Elordi is going to bring that drama 
danny and michael philippou must be super proud 
jacob elordi's wins are a testament to his talent, i love how australia is supporting its own filmmakers 
the aacta ceremony sounds like so much fun, wish i could've been there 
Just saw that 'Bring Her Back' won like 10 awards 
anyway back to the AACTA awards - congrats to all the winners! 
i loved watching 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' on screen it was so beautifully shot 
. Jacob Elordi is on a roll with his awards wins, and I'm loving the fact that he's been recognized for his versatility as an actor 
. And congrats to veteran filmmaker Bruce Beresford on receiving the Longford Lyell lifetime achievement award – well deserved! 