AACTA Awards 2025: Big Winners & Show-Stopping Moments

Australia’s brightest screen talents gathered on the Gold Coast for the 2025 AACTA Awards, presented by Foxtel Group and hosted by AACTA President Russell Crowe. The prestigious event celebrated the very best in Australian film and television, drawing an impressive lineup of international and local stars.

From Hollywood heavyweights to homegrown favourites, the AACTAs red carpet was a parade of global and Australian talent. International superstar Henry Cavill made an appearance, alongside beloved Australian actors Phoebe Tonkin, Teresa Palmer, Guy Pearce, and David Wenham. Acclaimed comedian Kitty Flanagan and industry legends like Dr. George Miller, Leah Purcell, and Catherine Martin also took centre stage, reinforcing the ceremony’s status as the pinnacle of Australian screen excellence.

The night was elevated by spectacular live performances, including a moving rendition of Angels by British music icon Robbie Williams, who brought his signature charisma to the AACTA stage. Australian music legend Paul Kelly also delivered an unforgettable performance of his classic hit How to Make Gravy, adding an emotional touch to the evening.

A Celebration of Australian Screen Excellence

The 2025 AACTA Awards recognised the industry’s most outstanding achievements, with Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe emerging as the standout winner of the night, bringing its total to 12 AACTA’s following its success at the AACTA Industry Awards Gala earlier in the week. The series captured audiences with its powerful storytelling, securing major accolades including Best Miniseries, Best Screenplay in Television, and all four major acting honours.

Reflecting on the night, AACTA Chair Jack Christian praised the winners for their contributions to Australia’s thriving screen industry. He stated:

“The winners of the 2025 AACTA Awards remind us why Australian storytelling stands among the best in the world. From bold new voices to industry icons, this year’s recipients have delivered work that is powerful, original, and deserving of global recognition. Better Man is a perfect example – critically acclaimed and now AACTA-winning, proving that great cinema leaves a lasting impact beyond the box office. We celebrate all of tonight’s winners and their contribution to shaping the future of Australian screen culture.”

Other celebrated wins included Heartbreak High, which took home Best Drama Series, and Fisk, which secured Best Narrative Comedy Series, with Kitty Flanagan winning Best Acting in a Comedy. Australian favourite Blueycontinued its reign, winning Best Children’s Program, while Hard Quiz took home Best Comedy Entertainment Program.

On the film front, Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic, claimed four AACTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Direction in Film for Michael Gracey, bringing its total to nine awards. The night also marked an historic first for AACTA, with motion-capture performances and voice acting recognised in acting categories. Jonno Davies was awarded for his motion-capture role in Better Man, while Jacki Weaver and Sarah Snook took home Best Supporting Actress and Best Lead Actress for their performances in Memoir of a Snail.

In the documentary category, Gracie Otto’s Otto by Otto won Best Documentary, cementing its place as a powerful contribution to Australian non-fiction cinema.

Fan-favourite winners were also revealed, with Netflix’s Outer Banks crowned Australia’s Favourite TV Show and Wicked taking home Favourite Film. Margot Robbie continued her winning streak as Favourite Australian Actress, while Chris Hemsworth was named Favourite Actor. Robert Irwin was recognised as Australia’s Favourite Media Personality, and Bridey Drake was celebrated as Favourite Digital Creator.

AACTA 2025 – A Night to Remember

With a blend of Hollywood stars, beloved Australian talent, and memorable performances, the 2025 event was a night of fashion, celebration, and recognition for the industry’s finest. As another remarkable year comes to a close, the event highlights the Gold Coast’s growing reputation as a hub for film and television, while showcasing the talent, creativity, and storytelling that make Australia’s screen industry so special.

The 2025 AACTA Award Winners are:

FILM

AACTA Award for Best Film: Better Man – Paul Currie, Michael Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Craig McMahon – Better Man Productions Pty Ltd
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in Film: Sarah Snook – Memoir Of A Snail
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in Film: Jonno Davies – Better Man
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in Film: Jacki Weaver – Memoir Of A Snail
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in Film: Damon Herriman – Better Man
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Film: Better Man – Michael Gracey
AACTA Award for Best Indie Film: Birdeater – Jack Clark (Dir.), Jim Weir (Dir.), Ulysses Oliver, Stephanie Troost – Breathless Films and Fax Machine
AACTA Award for Best Casting in Film presented by Casting Networks: Better Man – Alison Telford, Kate Leonard, Kate Dowd
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Film: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Simon Duggan
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Film: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Jenny Beavan
AACTA Award for Best Editing in Film presented by Spectrum Films: Better Man – Martin Connor, Lee Smith, Spencer Susser, Jeff Groth, Patrick Correll
AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Film: Better Man – Batu Sener
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Film: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Colin Gibson, Katie Sharrock
AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Film: Better Man – Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
AACTA Award for Best Sound in Film: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Robert Mackenzie, Ben Osmo, James Ashton, Yulia Akerholt, Jessica Meier, Tom Holkenborg

TELEVISION

AACTA Award for Best Drama Series: Heartbreak High – Carly Heaton, Sarah Freeman, Hannah Carroll Chapman – Fremantle Australia (Netflix)
AACTA Award for Best Miniseries: Boy Swallows Universe – Andrew Mason, Troy Lum – Brouhaha Entertainment Australia (Netflix)
AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series: Fisk – Nicole Minchin, Kitty Flanagan, Vincent Sheehan, Tom Peterson – Origma 45 (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama presented by BINGE: Phoebe Tonkin – Boy Swallows Universe
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama presented by BINGE: Felix Cameron – Boy Swallows Universe
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Deborah Mailman – Boy Swallows Universe
AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: Lee Tiger Halley – Boy Swallows Universe
AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy: Kitty Flanagan – Fisk
AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program: Bluey – Joe Brumm, Charlie Aspinwall, Daley Pearson, Sam Moor – Ludo Studio (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Stand-Up Special: Anne Edmonds: Why Is My Bag All Wet? – Anne Edmonds, Frank Bruzzese, Kathleen McCarthy, Kevin Whyte, Georgina Ogilvie – Guesswork Television (Network 10, Paramount+)
AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program: Hard Quiz – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment Program: Muster Dogs – Monica O’Brien, Michael Boughen, John Unwin, Matthew Street, Jo Chichester, Rachel Robinson – Ambience Entertainment Pty Ltd (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Reality Program presented by Network 10: MasterChef Australia – Marty Benson, Simon Child, Eoin Maher, April Mackay – Endemol Shine Australia (Network 10)
AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television: Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 4 – John Collee
AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performer: Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz
AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program: Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Fremantle Australia (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Casting in Television presented by Casting Networks: Boy Swallows Universe – Nikki Barrett
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television: Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 4 – Shelley Farthing-Dawe
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television: Ladies in Black – Episode 2 – Marion Boyce
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy: Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 1 – Bharat Nalluri
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Nonfiction Television: Muster Dogs – Episode 3 – Sally Browning, Monica O’Brien
AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program: Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian – Jo Siddiqui, Helen Barrow, Paulo Vivan, Laurie Critchley, Julie HannaJo Siddiqui – Southern Pictures Pty Ltd (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television: Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 4 – Mark Perry
AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program: Spicks and Specks – Rowdie Walden, Michiko Smith, Anthony Watt – ABC (ABC)
AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Television: Bluey – Episode 2 – Joff Bush, Daniel O’Brien, Jazz Darcy, Joseph Twist
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television: Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 4 – Michelle McGahey
AACTA Award for Best Sound in Television: Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 4 – Sam Hayward, Scott Mulready, Danielle Wiessner, Nigel Christensen

DOCUMENTARY

AACTA Award for Best Documentary: Otto by Otto – Gracie Otto (Dir.), Cody Greenwood, Nicole O’Donohue, – Rush Films & Wildflower Films
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary: The Musical Mind: A Portrait In Process – Geoffrey Hall, Emerson Hoskin
AACTA Award for Best Editing in a Documentary – Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line – Gretchen Peterson
AACTA Award for Best Original Score in a Documentary: Mozart’s Sister – Jessica Wells
AACTA Award for Best Sound in a Documentary: Mozart’s Sister – Damian Jory

ONLINE

AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy: Buried – Fran Derham, Charlotte George, Miriam Glaser – Frantales Productions

SHORT FILM

AACTA Award for Best Short Film: Gorgo – Katie Amos, Veniamin Gialouris (Dir.), Katie Amos, Danielle Stamoulos – Australian Film, Television and Radio School

OTHER

AACTA Award for Best Visual Effects or Animation: Better Man – Luke Millar, Andy Taylor, Craig Young, Tim Walker – Wētā Better Man Productions Pty Ltd
AACTA Award for Best Soundtrack: Heartbreak High – Jemma Burns
AACTA Award for Best Hair and Makeup presented by HASK: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Lesley Vanderwalt, Larry Van Duynhoven, Matteo Silvi, Luca Vannella
AACTA Award for Best Original Song: Fine (Meg Washington, Brendan Maclean & The Prison Choir) – How To Make Gravy

INDIVIDUAL

2025 AACTA Longford Lyell Award Recipient: Working Dog– Santo Cilauro, Rob Sitch, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner, and producer Michael Hirsh.
2025 AACTA Byron Kennedy Award Recipient: Greig Fraser
2025 AACTA Reg Grundy Award Recipient: “Unspoiled” – Melanie Hogan, Neville Poelina, and Jamie Durie
2025 AACTA Brian Walsh Award Recipient: Kartanya Maynard
AACTA Award for Outstanding Contribution: Paul Kelly

2025 AACTA Audience Choice Awards