The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) will return to the Gold Coast in February 2026 with its biggest festival yet: a five-day celebration of film, television, and digital storytelling featuring more than 300 speakers across over 100 events at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Among the high-profile guests confirmed are Anna Torv, Baz Luhrmann, Bruce Beresford, Chloe Hayden, Thomas Keneally, David Michôd, Emma Freeman, John Seale, Josh Heuston, Mandy Walker, Michael Robotham, Phoebe Tonkin, and Tony McNamara.
This year’s announcement also honoured Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, who join AACTA as official ambassadors alongside Russell Crowe (President), Nicole Kidman (Vice President), Cate Blanchett (Ambassador), and Dr. George Miller (Patron).
“Catherine Martin and I have been connected to AFI/AACTA for over 35 years, since ‘Strictly Ballroom’ won multiple AFI awards, including Best Film,” Luhrmann said. “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 honoured 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 confirmed a major partnership extension with the Queensland Government and Experience Gold Coast, ensuring the Festival and Awards will remain on the Gold Coast through to 2028 — a milestone that coincides with AACTA’s 70th anniversary.
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said retaining the event was “a coup for the state.”
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“The AACTA Awards and accompanying festival are pivotal in elevating Queensland’s standing within the screen industry while amplifying its global profile,” he 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.”
Queensland Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek added that “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,” Langbroek said.
Running from 4th–8th February 2026, the AACTA Festival will transform HOTA into a hub for industry and fans alike, with red carpet events, premieres, and in-depth discussions.
Highlights include:
Australian premiere of “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” directed by Baz Luhrmann.
World premiere of “Two Years Later” starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin.
Dance Academy Reunion, with Xenia Goodwin, Alicia Banit, and Dena Kaplan.
Big Brother Reunion featuring Reggie Bird and Mike Goldman.
30th Anniversary of “Shine” hosted by Margaret Pomeranz with director Scott Hicks and pianist David Helfgott.
50th Anniversary of “The Devil’s Playground” with Fred Schepisi and Thomas Keneally.
Masterclasses with John Seale, Mandy Walker, Bruce Beresford, and David Michôd.
Panels featuring Foxtel, Paramount+, Netflix, HBO Max, and Stan.
AACTA Chair Jack Christian said the 2026 edition is “shaping up to be our biggest yet.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast for their continued support of our Australian Academy,” he said. “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 AACTA Festival Ambassadors include Shabana Azeez (“The Pitt”), Leah Purcell (“High Country”), Anna Torv (“The Newsreader”), Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things”), Samantha Strauss (“Apple Cider Vinegar”), and filmmaking duo the Macfarlane Brothers (“The Worst That Could Happen”).
Lana Greenhalgh, Foxtel Group’s Director of Scripted Originals, 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.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate added, “It’s a hat-trick for our city with the AACTA Festival back in 2026, the third successive year we have hosted this premier event, and for an additional two years on the Gold Coast. Through AACTA, our global reputation as the Asia-Pacific’s screen industry home continues to grow. Let’s roll out the gold carpet next February and welcome the biggest, brightest and most talented industry professionals. It’ll be lights, camera, Gold Coast.”
The AACTA Festival will take place 4th–8th February 2026 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, with the AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group on Friday, 6th February.
Tickets for all Festival and Awards events are available now at aactafestival.com.