The Australian screen industry celebrated its brightest talents at the AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group, with Bring Her Back emerging as the night’s biggest winner, taking home 10 awards from a remarkable 16 nominations. The ceremony, hosted by Celeste Barber, underscored the depth and diversity of Australian storytelling, as highlighted by AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella, who noted the awards recognize “the remarkable depth and diversity of Australian screen talent.”
Beyond the overall wins, the awards spotlighted the significant contributions of National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) alumni, with recognition spanning film, television, short film, and documentary categories. Several NIDA graduates were not only nominated but also took home awards, solidifying the institution’s role in nurturing Australian creative talent.
Television Triumphs: The Narrow Road to the Deep North and The Newsreader Lead the Pack
In the television categories, The Narrow Road to the Deep North proved to be a standout, converting 9 AACTA Awards from 12 nominations. Justin Kurzel, a NIDA Design alumnus (), was recognized for his direction on the series, winning an AACTA Award for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy for Episode 1. Alice Babidge, also a NIDA Design graduate (), secured two awards for her production design work on The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1, sharing the award for Best Production Design in Television with Bev Dunn & Paul Sarpi, and winning Best Costume Design in Television.
The Newsreader continued its award-winning streak, adding four more AACTA Awards to its collection, including Best Drama Series. Anna Torv, a NIDA Acting alumna (), was awarded Best Lead Actress in a Drama for her performance in The Newsreader. Heather Mitchell, another NIDA Acting graduate (), won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role in The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
Miranda Tapsell, a NIDA Acting alumna (), also enjoyed a successful night, winning the AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy for her work on Top End Bub. She was also nominated for Best Narrative Comedy Series for the same production, shared with Rosemary Blight and Joshua Tyler.
Film Highlights: Richard Roxburgh and Fiona Donovan Honored
On the film side, Richard Roxburgh, a NIDA Acting alumnus (), took home the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in Film for his performance in The Correspondent. Fiona Donovan, a NIDA Design graduate (), was recognized for her production design work on The Correspondent, winning the AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Film.
Short Film and Documentary Recognition
The short film category saw Sarah Giles and Grace Malouf, a NIDA Directing alumna () and a NIDA Writing for Performance alumna () respectively, win for Writers in Love, shared with Jacqueline Kerwick. Justin Kurzel also received recognition in the documentary category for Ellis Park, shared with Nick Batzias & Charlotte Wheaton.
Industry Recognition and Trailblazers
The AACTA Awards also recognized individuals for their broader contributions to the industry. Sarah Snook, a NIDA Acting alumna (), received the prestigious 2026 AACTA Trailblazer Award, acknowledging her significant impact and innovative spirit. Clare Hughes, a more recent NIDA Acting graduate (), was awarded the 2026 AACTA Brian Walsh Award, recognizing her emerging talent and potential.
The AACTA Awards Industry Gala, held on , celebrated the creatives working behind the camera, honoring talent in areas like cinematography, editing, and costume design. The full list of winners from both the Industry Gala and the main ceremony can be found on the AACTA website.
The 2026 AACTA Awards, as highlighted by the organization, showcase “the strength of our industry and the stories that continue to resonate locally and globally.” The strong showing of NIDA alumni underscores the institution’s continued success in developing and supporting the next generation of Australian screen talent. The awards serve as a powerful reminder of the vibrant and evolving landscape of Australian film and television.
