Celeste Barber is bringing her signature wit to Australia’s biggest night in film and television, confirmed as host of the 2026 AACTA Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast.
The beloved comedian and actor will lead proceedings at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts’ annual celebration, which will broadcast on Channel 10 at 7.30pm AEDT on Friday 6 February.
Celeste Barber wasted no time setting the tone for what promises to be an entertaining evening.
“This is going to be so fun. As I won’t be winning, because I’m not nominated for an AACTA Award this year, I may as well host the show,” Barber said. “I’m so bloody excited to celebrate the biggest Australian TV and films of the year.”
The ceremony will feature an extraordinary lineup of presenters and guests spanning Hollywood heavyweights, breakout stars, comedy favourites and screen legends.
Sarah Snook, Brian Cox, Dacre Montgomery, Baz Luhrmann and Phoebe Tonkin headline the announced talent, joined by Sam Neill, Asher Keddie, Danielle Cormack, Joseph Zada, David Wenham, Guy Montgomery, Brenton Thwaites, Tuuli Narkle, Richard Wilkins, Delta Goodrem, Mandy Walker, Angela Bishop and Rove McManus.
The guest list continues with Bryan Brown, Margaret Pomeranz, Shane Jacobson, Marta Dusseldorp, Steph Tisdell, Pia Miranda, Shabana Azeez, Yerin Ha, Fred Schepisi, Kat Stewart, Thomas Cocquerel and Catherine Martin.
A special extended broadcast featuring all awards from the ceremony will be available from 7.30pm on Saturday 7 February on BINGE and Foxtel, with international broadcast details to be announced.
Five Days of Festival Events
The awards ceremony caps off AACTA Festival 2026, a five-day celebration running from 4 to 8 February that promises to bring fans closer than ever to the people and stories shaping screen culture.
Festival highlights include in-conversation events, headline panels, comedy showcases, filmmaker masterclasses and live talks.
Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery will sit down for an intimate in-conversation event, while visionary director Baz Luhrmann will be celebrated with a curated double screening event.
Sarah Snook features in the AACTA Trailblazer In Conversation session, offering an intimate discussion with one of Australia’s leading actors. Bridgerton breakout star Yerin Ha will take audiences on a deep dive into her rise as the show’s new leading lady.
The festival will host the world premiere of Paramount+ series Two Years Later, with stars Phoebe Tonkin and Brenton Thwaites in attendance. Shabana Azeez joins the program for an insightful session exploring the craft behind her acclaimed role in The Pitt.
Additional highlights include Anna Torv in conversation with director Emma Freeman, and a celebration of visionary cinematographer Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS in a Behind the Lens session.
Join the Celebration at this year’s Aacta’s
Audiences can join the stars on the red carpet with tickets now on sale for the AACTA Awards Live! by the Lake event on Friday 6 February.
Fan-favourite comedian and broadcaster Ed Kavalee will host the AACTA Awards Industry Gala on Wednesday 4 February, where Australia’s screen industry will gather to honour the craft, creativity and talent behind the year’s most outstanding work.
Whether you’re a screen fan, emerging creative, industry professional or pop-culture enthusiast, the festival offers rare access through bold conversations, screenings, industry panels, career workshops and interactive sessions.
Tickets for the AACTA Award ceremonies and AACTA Festival events are available at aactafestival.com.
