{"id":462489,"date":"2026-02-06T15:27:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/462489\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:27:15","slug":"aacta-2026-winners-list-gory-horror-wins-best-film-jacob-elordi-drama-dominates-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/462489\/","title":{"rendered":"AACTA 2026 winners list: Gory horror wins best film, Jacob Elordi drama dominates TV"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the second time in under five years<\/a>, Australian horror auteurs Danny and Michael Philippou have swept the AACTAs, picking up 10 awards for their 2025 film Bring Her Back.<\/p>\n

The former YouTube stars, also known as the RackaRacka brothers, took home two of the night’s biggest awards, Best Film and Best Direction.<\/p>\n

“We should all be inspired about what Australia is able to do and the fact there’s excitement about Australian stories and Australian point of views and vision. It’s a very exciting time to be a part of,” producer Samantha Jennings said while accepting the award for best film alongside the brothers.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Bring Her Back cast and crew accept their AACTA award for Best Film. (Getty: Mackenzie Sweetnam)<\/p>\n

The film’s lead Sally Hawkins also won Best Lead Actress. In Bring Her Back, Hawkins plays a kooky foster mum, Laura, who takes in two foster children after the sudden death of their father, and who might have more than one secret hiding in her derelict garden shed.<\/p>\n

“I’m only as good as the people I’m working with and playing against,” Hawkins said via video acceptance.<\/p>\n

“It was an honour to get this script, which had incredible, magical energy about it. As soon as I received it, I didn’t know quite how I would get there. It’s terrifying, and yet of course you just take the leap and I did.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

You’d wish you had never seen what’s on the inside of Laura’s heavily locked garden shed. (Supplied: Sony Pictures)<\/p>\n

Causeway Films’ Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings, the producers behind Bring Her Back and Talk To Me, as well as other Australian horror classic The Babadook, were also presented with the Byron Kennedy Award by Mad Max director George Miller.<\/p>\n

Star-studded reception for Sarah Snook<\/p>\n

This year’s Trailblazer Award went to Succession star Sarah Snook, and her former TV dad Brian Cox was on hand to present her the honour.<\/p>\n

“She is the absolute real deal \u2026 She’s always present, always there. Her range is extraordinary,” Cox said.<\/p>\n

“I would hazard to say she’s one of the best screen partners I’ve ever had, if not the very best.”<\/p>\n

\"Sarah<\/p>\n

Sarah Snook and Brian Cox on the 2026 AACTAs red carpet. (Getty: Sam Tabone)<\/p>\n

Succession creator Jesse Armstrong, appearing in a video package, echoed Cox’s sentiment, saying he “considers it one of the absolute honours of my career to have worked with [Snook]”.<\/p>\n

Sarah Snook wins Tony award for The Picture of Dorian Gray<\/a><\/p>\n

Australian actor Sarah Snook has won the Tony award for Best Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, with fellow Australian Marg Horwell also taking home a Tony for Costume Design.<\/p>\n

Snook recently won a Critics Choice award for her work in miniseries All Her Fault, and she used her Trailblazer speech to illustrate the difference between her Hollywood and home life.<\/p>\n

“I do sometimes feel I’m double lives; me who is the real version of me, at home in her trackie-dacks watching this on TV with her family and friends,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Then this other person who puts on make-up and sometimes gets honours like this.<\/p>\n

“They told me I would win the Trailblazer Award and my first response was, ‘You sure?'”<\/p>\n

Snook ended her speech with a passionate shout-out to the Australian film and TV industry.<\/p>\n

“We continually punch above our weight. [It’s] amazing what we are able to produce. Keep celebrating that and let’s not let some stupid AI overlord ruin it.”<\/p>\n

Snook also won the International AACTA for Best Actress in a Series for All Her Fault.<\/p>\n

The Newsreader goes out with a bang<\/p>\n

The saga of the ruthless News At Six newsroom has come to a fitting conclusion, with The Newsreader taking home four AACTA awards.<\/p>\n

Stream The Newsreader on ABC iview<\/a><\/p>\n

An unconventional relationship in a world on the cusp of change; a star newsreader and an ambitious reporter join forces in a ruthless 1986 newsroom, as events unfold that will change their lives.<\/p>\n

Set in 1980s Australia, the show follows “difficult” newsreader Helen (Anna Torv) and ambitious junior reporter Dale (Sam Reid), who must navigate big hair, bigger news stories and the biggest newsroom drama.<\/p>\n

For its third and final season, the fan-favourite ABC period drama won the prestigious Best Drama Award.<\/p>\n

But it isn’t the first time \u2014 The Newsreader has done so all three times it’s been nominated.<\/p>\n

The series also won the award for Best Screenplay in Television, while Daniel Henshall won Best Supporting Actor in a drama for his role as newcomer Bill.<\/p>\n

Last but definitely not least, star Anna Torv took home Best Lead Actress in a Drama \u2014 also her third win in the category for the show.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Newsreader castmembers (L-R) Anna Torv, Michelle Lim Davidson and Daniel Henshall. (Getty: Don Arnold)<\/p>\n

Accepting her award, Torv said she was “so proud and honoured” to have been involved in the series.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know, I guess to all the Helens out there \u2026 When people say, you’re too much, you’re not. You are spectacular,” she said.<\/p>\n

“That was the point of her story. Thank you.”<\/p>\n

The narrow road to AACTAs glory<\/p>\n

The Narrow Road to The Deep North dominated in the television categories, pulling down nine wins \u2014 including Best Lead Actor for its Hollywood star, Jacob Elordi.<\/p>\n

Why Jacob Elordi jumped at the chance to star in this WWII epic<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hollywood star plays a POW in the much-anticipated screen adaptation of the Booker-Prize-winning novel, Narrow Road to the Deep North.<\/p>\n

Based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, Elordi stars as Dorrigo Evans \u2014 a famous war hero and celebrated surgeon \u2014 who recounts his childhood in rural Tasmania, a torrid love affair in his 20s and his time as a POW on the Thai-Burma Railway in World War II through flashback.<\/p>\n

Elordi is on a whirlwind press tour for his upcoming film Wuthering Heights alongside fellow Aussie Margot Robbie, but he sent in a video acceptance speech.<\/p>\n

“Thank you to the AACTAs, thank you Justin [Kurzel, series creator], you’re my brother. Thanks to the boys that were in the trenches with me, our whole creative team and everyone helped make this what it is,” he said.<\/p>\n

Elordi also won the International AACTA for Best Actor in a Film for Frankenstein.<\/p>\n

Kurzel’s (Snowtown, Nitram) miniseries also picked up Best Supporting Actress for Heather Mitchell and a slew of technical awards including Sound, Cinematography and Editing.<\/p>\n

See tonight’s AACTA winners below.\u00a0<\/p>\n

FILMBest FilmBring Her Back \u2014 WINNERKangarooLesbian Space PrincessThe CorrespondentThe SurferThe TravellersBest Direction in FilmBring Her Back \u2014 Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou \u2014 WINNERKangaroo \u2014 Kate WoodsLesbian Space Princess \u2014 Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela VargheseThe Correspondent \u2014 Kriv StendersThe Travellers \u2014 Bruce BeresfordBest Lead Actress in FilmAlison Brie \u2014 TogetherEmily Browning \u2014 One More ShotSally Hawkins \u2014 Bring Her Back \u2014 WINNERSusie Porter \u2014 The TravellersDaisy Ridley \u2014 We Bury The DeadLily Whiteley \u2014 KangarooBest Lead Actor in FilmBryan Brown \u2014 The TravellersRyan Corr \u2014 KangarooJai Courtney \u2014 Dangerous AnimalsGuy Pearce \u2014 InsideRichard Roxburgh \u2014 The Correspondent \u2014 WINNERDavid Wenham \u2014 SpitBest Supporting Actress in FilmMarta Dusseldorp \u2014 With or Without YouDeborah Mailman \u2014 Kangaroo \u2014 WINNERBrooke Satchwell \u2014 KangarooYael Stone \u2014 The CorrespondentSally-Anne Upton \u2014 Bring Her BackSora Wong \u2014 Bring Her BackBest Supporting Actor in FilmDamon Herriman \u2014 TogetherCosmo Jarvis \u2014 InsideJulian Maroun \u2014 The CorrespondentJulian McMahon \u2014 The Surfer \u2014 WINNERRahel Romahn \u2014 The CorrespondentJonah Wren Phillips \u2014 Bring Her BackBest DocumentaryEllis ParkJourney Home, David Gulpilil \u2014 WINNERNot Only Fred Dagg But Also John ClarkeSongs InsideUnbreakable \u2014 The Jelena Dokic StoryYurlu | CountryTELEVISIONBest Drama SeriesBay of FiresBlack Snow Jack of ClubsMystery Road: OriginThe Family Next DoorThe Newsreader \u2014 WINNERThe Twelve: Cape Rock KillerBest Narrative Comedy SeriesAustinBump \u2014 WINNERGhostsMother and SonStrifeTop End BubBest MiniseriesApple Cider Vinegar \u2014 WINNERInvisible BoysMix TapeThe Last AnniversaryThe Narrow Road to the Deep NorthThe SurvivorsBest Lead Actress in a DramaAlycia Debnam-Carey \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarAisha Dee \u2014 Watching YouKaitlyn Dever \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarTuuli Narkle \u2014 Mystery Road: OriginTeresa Palmer \u2014 Mix TapeAnna Torv \u2014 The Newsreader \u2014 WINNERBest Lead Actor in a DramaMark Coles Smith \u2014 Mystery Road: OriginJacob Elordi \u2014 The Narrow Road to the Deep North \u2014 WINNERTravis Fimmel \u2014 Black Snow Jack of ClubsSam Neill \u2014 The Twelve: Cape Rock KillerHunter Page-Lochard \u2014 RecklessSam Reid \u2014 The NewsreaderBest Acting in a ComedyClaudia Karvan \u2014 BumpAsher Keddie \u2014 StrifeBen Miller \u2014 AustinSally Phillips \u2014 AustinAngus Sampson \u2014 BumpDenise Scott \u2014 Mother and SonMiranda Tapsell \u2014 Top End Bub \u2014 WINNERMichael Theo \u2014 AustinBest Screenplay in TelevisionApple Cider Vinegar \u2014 Episode 5 \u2014 Angela BetzienApple Cider Vinegar \u2014 Episode 6 \u2014 Samantha StraussMix Tape \u2014 Episode 1 \u2014 Jo SpainThe Newsreader \u2014 Episode 6 \u2014 Michael Lucas \u2014 WINNERThe Twelve: Cape Rock Killer \u2014 Episode 1 \u2014 Sarah L. WalkerBest Comedy PerformerHamish Blake \u2014 LEGO Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the GalaxyMelanie Bracewell \u2014 The Cheap SeatsAaron Chen \u2014 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling BeeTom Gleeson \u2014 Hard Quiz \u2014 WINNERLuke McGregor \u2014 Portrait Artist of the YearGuy Montgomery \u2014 Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling BeeSam Pang \u2014 Sam Pang TonightJulia Zemiro \u2014 Crime Night!AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a DramaEssie Davis \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarAisha Dee \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarMichelle Lim Davidson \u2014 The NewsreaderRobyn Malcolm \u2014 Mystery Road: OriginHeather Mitchell \u2014 The Narrow Road to the Deep North \u2014 WINNERSusie Porter \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarAACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a DramaLuke Carroll \u2014 Mystery Road: OriginMark Coles Smith \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarDaniel Henshall \u2014 The Family Next DoorDaniel Henshall \u2014 The Newsreader \u2014 WINNERMatt Nable \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarAshley Zukerman \u2014 Apple Cider VinegarAACTA Award for Best Entertainment ProgramDancing with the StarsEurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final: Access All AreasI’m A Celebrity\u2026Get Me Out Of Here! AustraliaLEGO Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the GalaxyPortrait Artist of the Year \u2014 WINNERThat Blackfella Show\u00a0Best Children’s ProgramDo Not Watch This ShowHard Quiz KidsPlay School: All Together \u2014 WINNERSpace NovaAACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment ProgramGuy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling BeeHard Quiz \u2014 WINNERSam Pang TonightSpicks and SpecksTaskmaster AustraliaThe Weekly with Charlie PickeringAACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment ProgramAlone Australia \u2014 WINNERGogglebox AustraliaMuster Dogs Collies and KelpiesTake 5 with Zan RoweThe PianoThe Secret DNA of UsAACTA Award for Best Reality ProgramAustralian IdolAustralian Survivor: Australia v The WorldMarried At First Sight AustraliaMasterChef AustraliaThe Amazing RaceThe Great Australian Bake Off \u2014 WINNER<\/p>\n

See the full list of winners from the AACTA Industry Gala here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the second time in under five years, Australian horror auteurs Danny and Michael Philippou have swept the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":462490,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[161715,184557,237334,64,63,134,161718,2694,237335],"class_list":["post-462489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-aacta","tag-aacta-awards","tag-aacta-red-carpet","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-entertainment","tag-hota","tag-jacob-elordi","tag-when-are-the-aacta-awards-2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=462489"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462489\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/462490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=462489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=462489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=462489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}