Queensland’s film and television sector will be front and centre early next year, with the 2026 AACTA Awards and Festival set to bring five days of industry activity to the Gold Coast.
The festival, leading into the awards ceremony at Home of the Arts (HOTA) on Friday 6 February, is expected to draw screen professionals, emerging creatives and audiences keen to celebrate Australian storytelling.
Alongside the awards, organisers have outlined a program of workshops, panel discussions and networking events designed to support career development across the industry.
A key feature will be the Screen Careers Expo on Saturday 7 February, promoted as Australia’s largest event focused on pathways into film, television, games and online content. The expo is aimed at young Queenslanders and others considering work in the sector, offering a chance to explore the breadth of roles that sit behind screen productions.
The Crisafulli Government has positioned the festival as part of its broader push to grow Queensland’s creative economy, including a 10-year strategy intended to attract more productions and expand job opportunities.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said government investment through Screen Queensland was helping drive momentum.
“Queensland is the nation-leading powerhouse for film and television production,” he said, pointing to the state’s infrastructure, workforce and locations as key strengths.
Screen Queensland-backed projects have performed strongly in this year’s AACTA Awards race, with seven supported productions receiving 14 nominations across 10 categories.
Funding has come through a mix of programs, including the Production Attraction Strategy, Screen Finance Fund and incentives for post-production, digital and visual effects work.
The agency’s latest figures suggest the sector continues to deliver substantial economic returns. Screen Queensland says it supported 108 films, series and digital games in 2024–25, creating more than 5,000 employment opportunities and generating more than $610 million for the state economy.
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said the festival was a chance to recognise the wide range of practitioners and businesses contributing to Queensland’s screen output.
She said the success of local productions carries both economic weight and cultural value, with stories made in the state resonating with audiences nationally and internationally.
Queensland-based titles such as Bluey and Boy Swallows Universe have helped lift the state’s profile, alongside recent nominated productions including Black Snow and Spit.
The AACTA Awards are presented by Foxtel Group, with support from the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, Screen Queensland and Experience Gold Coast.
With the festival set for February, the Gold Coast will once again become a meeting point for Australian screen talent, while Queensland continues to build its place as a major production hub.
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