PRESS RELEASE
The Gold Coast is set to shine even brighter in February 2026 as AACTA Festival, including the AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group, return to HOTA with a powerhouse program featuring internationally acclaimed filmmakers and storytellers including: Anna Torv, Baz Luhrmann, Bruce Beresford, Chloe Hayden, Thomas Keneally, David Michôd, David Williamson, Emma Freeman, Fred Schepisi, John Seale, Josh Heuston, Mandy Walker, Michael Robotham, Phoebe Tonkin, Shabana Azeez, Tony McNamara - joining over 300 other on-stage participants across 100+ events.
Today’s announcement honoured Australian screen icons, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, who were announced as official ambassadors for the Australian Academy, supporting Russell Crowe (President), Nicole Kidman (Vice President), Cate Blanchett (Ambassador) and Dr. George Miller (Patron).
Baz Luhrmann added “Catherine Martin and I have been connected to AFI/AACTA for over 35 years, since Strictly Ballroom won multiple AFI awards, including Best Film. Many more have followed since, but no form of recognition feels as meaningful as to be celebrated by our peers at home. That’s why we are honored to be named ambassadors of AACTA, an organization that does so much to celebrate Australian storytellers and the stories we tell, elevating them on the world stage and lifting up new generations of Australian talent, not just through the Awards, but now through the brilliant AACTA Festival, returning to the Gold Coast in February, bigger than ever. It’s especially fitting, given the Gold Coast has been our inspiring creative home for the past few years, that we will be holding the Australian premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert at the AACTA festival. It’s not a documentary, it’s not a concert film, it’s EPiC. And so will be the AACTA Festival right here at HOTA on the Gold Coast! Looking forward to seeing you there.”
AACTA also announced a major partnership extension that will see the AACTA Awards and Festival continue to grow in scale and ambition, with the Queensland Government and Experience Gold Coast renewing their commitment to host the events on the Gold Coast through to 2028, coinciding with the historic 70th anniversary of AFI | AACTA.
This significant development cements the future of Australia’s premier screen celebration, ensuring the Awards and Festival returns bigger and better each year, shining a global spotlight on Australian talent, creativity, and innovation across film, television, and digital entertainment.
Queensland Minister for Education and Arts John-Paul Langbroek and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, represented the state and city, with Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, stating that retaining the AACTA Awards on the Gold Coast through to 2028 was a coup for the state.
“The AACTA Awards and accompanying festival are pivotal in elevating Queensland’s standing within the screen industry while amplifying its global profile,” Minister Powell said.
“This celebration of Australian film and television is expected to deliver a $4.85 million boost to the state’s economy in 2026 and shine a spotlight on the Gold Coast during the internationally recognised awards season.
“We are determined to make Queensland the events capital of Australia, and this is another example of delivery from our ambitious Destination 2045 20 year tourism plan.”.
Running 4 - 8 February 2026, AACTA Festival transforms HOTA, Home of the Arts, into a five-day hub of immersive screen culture, attracting over 15,000 visitors and 300 on-stage participants across 100+ events. From in-depth movie deconstructions, global premieres, interactive workshops, talent meet-and-greets, music showcases, masterclasses with renowned filmmakers, outdoor screenings, and a variety of family-friendly activities. The Festival, including the Screen Careers Expo, offers an unmissable program for screen lovers, emerging creatives, and industry leaders alike.
Festival Highlights
Over five packed days, AACTA Festival 2026 program highlights include:
- Australian Premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Walk the red carpet at the premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s latest epic movie made on the Gold Coast.
- AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group & AACTA Awards Industry Gala – Celebrate the Australian screen industry with two incredible ceremonies celebrating Australia’s best screen talent and practitioners.
- World Premiere of Two Years Later starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin, with red carpet, followed by a Q&A.
- Hour by Hour: Shabana Azeez on The Pitt. A rare opportunity to hear from the Australian actor, fresh off the global success of the Emmy-winning series The Pitt.
- Dance Academy Reunion – The beloved cast returns to share memories and behind-the-scenes stories. Featuring Xenia Goodwin, Alicia Banit, Dena Kaplan, Jo Werner and Samantha Strauss.
- Join us for a Big Brother reunion with special guests including Reggie Bird, Ben from Brisbane, and Mike Goldman, for a lively and unfiltered conversation about the show that changed reality TV forever.
- John Seale: Life in Pictures – The Oscar-winning cinematographer deconstructs his work on screen including The English Patient, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dead Poets Society, Harry Potter.
- 30th Anniversary of Shine – Hosted by Margaret Pomeranz, featuring director Scott Hicks, pianist David Helfgott, producer Jane Scott, pianist Simon Tedeschi (who will perform live) and other guests reunite for one unforgettable evening.
- 50th Anniversary of The Devil's Playground - Featuring director Fred Schepisi and actors Simon Burke and Thomas Keneally.
- Queensland Premiere of Jimpa, with Q&A with director Sophie Hyde.
- Premiere of Floodland - Documentary about the catastrophic flooding in Lismore.
- Mandy Walker: Behind the Lens - The celebrated cinematographer deconstructs her work on screen.
- AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills - Discover the people, businesses, pathways, and opportunities driving the future of screen.
- Adult animated series Bob's Burgers unpacked by its Australian creator Bernard Derriman.
- Dune Prophecy’s Josh Heuston joins the festival to talk about Dangerous Animals and his upcoming TV show Off Campus.
- Acclaimed actor Anna Torv and director Emma Freeman come together for an exclusive conversation about their work and careers.
Australia’s largest screen culture festival also includes over 40 screen industry sessions involving major studios and streaming platforms including Foxtel, Paramount+, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Television, Netflix, HBO Max and Stan, showcasing the very best of Australian and international storytelling.
Other highlights include the AACTA Awards Industry Gala (Feb 4), AACTA Industry Conference Day (Feb 5), AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group (Feb 6) and the AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills (Feb 7), which connects future talent with Australia’s leading studios, agencies, and educators.
AACTA Chair, Jack Christian, said “We’re incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast for their continued support of our Australian Academy. Queensland has proven to be a fantastic home for major cultural events, and we couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate Australian storytelling as we head towards our 70th anniversary.
“The first few years on the Gold Coast have exceeded all expectations, bringing together Australia’s creative community and industry leadership in one remarkable celebration of screen culture. The 2026 Festival is shaping up to be our biggest yet, uniting every corner of the industry for a program that showcases the strength, creativity, and global impact of Australia’s screen community.”
Meet the 2026 AACTA Festival Ambassadors
Supporting the Festival, this year’s ambassadors reflect the diversity and global impact of Australian screen storytelling:
Shabana Azeez (The Pitt, Lesbian Space Princess), Leah Purcell (High Country, The Drover’s Wife), Anna Torv (Mindhunter, The Newsreader), Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things, Dead Man’s Wire), Samantha Strauss (Apple Cider Vinegar, The Last Anniversary), and filmmaking duo the Macfarlane Brothers (The Worst That Could Happen).
Queensland’s Screen Future
The Queensland Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Australia’s screen industry, announcing a two-year extension of its partnership with AACTA to host the AACTA Awards and AACTA Festival on the Gold Coast through to 2028.
This continued investment strengthens Queensland’s position as a world-class screen destination and creative hub, supporting jobs, local businesses, and the growth of Australia’s film and television sectors. With the AACTA Awards and Festival cemented on the Gold Coast, the partnership highlights the state’s dedication to nurturing local talent, attracting major productions, and celebrating Australia’s screen excellence on a global stage.
Queensland Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek said “The AACTA Festival 2026 offers an exciting and extensive program of screen events for audiences and aspiring filmmakers, connecting them with the industry’s best and brightest.
“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support such a vast line-up of free and ticketed events, with highlights including the World Premiere of Queensland-made series Two Years Later, supported by Screen Queensland, and the ever-popular Screen Careers Expo.
“The sunshine state is a leading light in Australia’s screen industry, with thousands of people establishing enduring careers right here, and the AACTA Awards and Festival continues to be a stellar celebration of the sector at its home at HOTA on the Gold Coast.”
Lana Greenhalgh, Director of Scripted Originals, Foxtel Group, said, “We’re proud to support the AACTA Festival as part of Foxtel Group’s longstanding partnership with the AACTA Awards. The impressive 2026 Festival line-up will spotlight Australia’s extraordinary storytellers and emerging talent, and we look forward to celebrating another incredible year of local film and television.”
Tickets and Information
AACTA Festival will return to Gold Coast from 4 - 8 February 2026 at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Tickets for AACTA Festival events and the AACTA Awards Ceremonies, including Live! by the Lake, are available now at aactafestival.com.