Horror movie Bring Her Back has emerged as the decisive winner of the 2026 AACTA Awards, picking up 10 gongs including best film.
The film from Danny and Michael Philippou, the follow-up to their wildly successful 2023 release Talk to Me, also won for directing and best actress for Sally Hawkins.
Julian McMahon, who died in July from cancer, posthumously won the best supporting actor in a film for his role in The Surfer, one of his last onscreen performances.
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On the TV side, harrowing war series The Narrow Road to the Deep North won nine AACTAs including for lead star Jacob Elordi, who was recognised for his performance in best actor in a drama while Heather Mitchell was awarded in the best supporting actress in a drama.
Sarah Snook was given the Trailblazer Award.
The AACTAs are the closest Australian equivalent of the Oscars and Emmys. The awards were given out over two ceremonies, an industry night and the gala event.
WINNERS
Best film – Bring Her Back
Best indie film – Lesbian Space Princess
Best direction in film – Bring Her Back
Best lead actor in a film – Richard Roxburgh, The Correspondent
Best lead actress in a film – Sally Hawkins, Bring Her Back
Best supporting actor in a film – Julian McMahon, The Surfer
Best supporting actress in a film – Deborah Mailman, Kangaroo
Best screenplay in film – The Correspondent
Best casting in film – Bring Her Back
Best cinematography in film – Bring Her Back
Best costume design in film – Bring Her Back
Best editing in film – Bring Her Back
Best original score in film – Bring Her Back
Best production design in film – The Correspondent
Best sound in film – Bring Her Back
Best drama series – The Newsreader
Best miniseries – Apple Cider Vinegar
Best narrative comedy series – Bump
Best lead actor in a drama – Jacob Elordi, The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best lead actress in a drama – 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 direction in nonfiction TV – The People vs Robodebt
Best screenplay in TV – The Newsreader
Best cinematography in TV – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best casting in TV – Apple Cider Vinegar
Best production design in TV – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best costume design in TV – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best original score in TV – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best sound in TV – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best editing in TV – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Best children’s program – Play School: All Together
Best comedy entertainment program – Hard Quiz
Best comedy performer – Tom Gleeson, Hard Quiz
Best documentary or factual program – The People vs Robodebt
Best entertainment program – Portrait Artist of the Year
Best factual entertainment program – Alone Australia
Best lifestyle program – Grand Designs Australia
Best reality program – The Great Australian Bake Off
Best stand-up special – Celia Pacquola, I’m As Surprised as You Are
Best documentary – Journey Home, David Gulpilil
Best cinematography in a documentary – The Kimberley
Best editing in a documentary – Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story
Best original story in a documentary – Journey Home, David Gulpilil
Best sound in a documentary – Yurlu | Country
Best short film – I’m the Most Racist Person I Know
Best online drama or comedy – A Series of Unfortunate Dates
Best hair and makeup – Bring Her Back
Best original song – Here I Go, Lesbian Space Princess
Best visual effects or animation – Tron: Ares
Disclosure: The writer is a member of AACTA and voted in the 2026 awards
