The 2026 AACTA Awards once again celebrated the extraordinary depth of Australian screen talent with NIDA alumni recognised across TV, Film, Short Film and Documentary categories. This year, alumni Amy Joyce (Acting, 2021) and Harrison Quast (Acting, 2021) joined the stars on the red carpet this year to speak with the outstanding Australian artists recognised. You can catch their conversations with Baz Luhrmann (Acting 1985), Catherine Martin (Design, 1988), Sarah Snook (Acting, 2008), Yerin Ha (Acting, 2018), Mark Paguio (Acting, 2018) and more here.
We congratulate all of this year’s nominees and winners who demonstrate the high calibre, ambition and diversity of the industry. In addition, we’d like to applaud Sarah Snook (Acting, 2008) who was the recipient of the 2026 AACTA Trailblazer Award and Clare Hughes (Acting, 2022) who was awarded the 2026 AACTA Brian Walsh Award.
Nominee names are italicised, winners are in bold.
TELEVISION
AACTA Award for Best Miniseries:
Justin Kurzel (Design, 1995) for The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Shared with Jo Porter, Rachel Gardner, Shaun Grant and Alexandra Taussig
AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series:
Miranda Tapsell (Acting, 2008) for Top End Bub. Shared with Rosemary Blight and Joshua Tyler
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama presented by BINGE:
Anna Torv (Acting, 2001) for The Newsreader
Tuuli Narkle (Acting, 2018) for Mystery Road: Origin
AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy
Miranda Tapsell (Acting, 2008) for Top End Bub
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama:
Heather Mitchel (Acting, 1980) for The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Essie Davis (Acting, 1992) for Apple Cider Vinegar
Susie Porter (Acting, 1995) for Apple Cider Vinegar
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy:
Justin Kurzel (Design, 1995) for The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episodes 1
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television:
Alice Babidge (Design, 2004) for The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1
Gypsy Taylor (Design, 2003) for The Newsreader – Episode 3
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television:
Alice Babidge (Design, 2004) for The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Episode 1. Shared with Bev Dunn & Paul Sarpi
FILM
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in Film:
Richard Roxburgh (Acting, 1986) for The Correspondent
Ryan Corr (Acting, 2009) for Kangaroo
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in Film:
Susie Porter (Acting, 1995) for The Travellers
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in Film:
Yael Stone (Acting, 2006) for The Correspondent
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Film:
Fiona Donovan (Design, 1992) for The Correspondent.
Nicholas Dare (Design, 2001) for Together
SHORT FILM
AACTA Awards for Best Short Film:
Sarah Giles (Directing, 2008) and Grace Malouf (Writing for Performance, 2023) for Writers in Love. Shared with Jacqueline Kerwick.
DOCUMENTARY
AACTA Award for Best Documentary
Justin Kurzel (Design, 1995) for Ellis Park. Shared with Nick Batzias & Charlotte Wheaton
For the full list of winners visit the AACTA website.
Header image: L-R: Clare Hughes, Yerin Ha, Baz Lurhmann, Catherine Martin and Sarah Snookat the AACTA Awards.