For the second time in less than five years, Australian horror filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou have dominated the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTAs), securing 10 awards for their 2025 film Bring Her Back. The former YouTube sensations, known as the RackaRacka brothers, claimed two of the most prestigious awards of the evening: Best Film and Best Direction.
Producer Samantha Jennings, accepting the Best Film award alongside the Philippou brothers, emphasized the significance of Australian storytelling. “We should all be inspired by what Australia is able to do and the excitement surrounding Australian stories and perspectives. It’s a very exciting time to be a part of,” she remarked.
The film’s lead, Sally Hawkins, received the Best Lead Actress award for her portrayal of Laura, a quirky foster mother with hidden secrets. In a video acceptance speech, Hawkins expressed gratitude to her colleagues, stating, “I’m only as good as the people I’m working with and playing against.”
Star-Studded Reception for Sarah Snook
This year’s Trailblazer Award was presented to Succession star Sarah Snook, with her on-screen father Brian Cox delivering the accolade. Cox praised Snook’s talent, saying, “She is the absolute real deal… Her range is extraordinary.”
Snook, who recently won a Critics Choice award for her role in All Her Fault, used her acceptance speech to highlight the duality of her life between Hollywood and home. “I do sometimes feel I’m living double lives,” she shared, contrasting her glamorous public persona with her private life.
She concluded with a passionate endorsement of the Australian film and TV industry, urging, “We continually punch above our weight. Let’s not let some stupid AI overlord ruin it.”
The Newsreader’s Triumphant Conclusion
The ABC period drama The Newsreader, set in the 1980s, concluded its saga with four AACTA awards, including Best Drama Series. The show, which follows the tumultuous lives of newsreader Helen (Anna Torv) and junior reporter Dale (Sam Reid), has won the Best Drama award each time it was nominated.
Anna Torv, who won Best Lead Actress in a Drama for the third time for her role as Helen, expressed her pride in the series. “To all the Helens out there… When people say you’re too much, you’re not. You are spectacular,” she declared.
The Narrow Road to AACTAs Glory
The Narrow Road to The Deep North emerged as a powerhouse in the television categories, securing nine awards. Jacob Elordi, starring as Dorrigo Evans, a war hero and surgeon, won Best Lead Actor. Elordi, currently on a press tour for Wuthering Heights, sent a video message thanking the AACTAs and the creative team.
Elordi also received the International AACTA for Best Actor in a Film for Frankenstein. The series, based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, also garnered awards for Best Supporting Actress and several technical categories.
“Thank you to the AACTAs, thank you Justin [Kurzel, series creator], you’re my brother. Thanks to the boys that were in the trenches with me, our whole creative team and everyone helped make this what it is,” Elordi said.
Comprehensive Winners List
The evening celebrated a wide array of talent across film and television. Bring Her Back led the film categories, while The Newsreader and The Narrow Road to The Deep North dominated television. The full list of winners highlights the diversity and creativity within the Australian entertainment industry.
As the AACTAs continue to honor excellence in film and television, the achievements of this year’s winners underscore the vitality and innovation of Australian storytelling on the global stage. With a focus on unique narratives and powerful performances, the future of Australian cinema and television looks promising.
