Australia’s biggest celebration of screen culture is levelling up. The AACTA Festival returns in 2026 with an expanded, headline-heavy program that now spans close to 100 events, cementing its status as one of the country’s most ambitious cultural festivals.

Running February 4–8, the five-day festival will once again transform HOTA into a buzzing hub of film, television and pop culture, bringing together exclusive screenings, red-carpet moments, industry heavyweights, digital creators and fan-favourite talent – with many events free to attend.

Among the newly announced highlights, Bridgerton fans can catch Australian star Yerin Ha in conversation, complete with exclusive clips from the upcoming season, while Severance devotees are in for a treat as acclaimed actor Dichen Lachman beams in from Los Angeles to discuss her role in the hit series.

These join an already stacked line-up, including major premieres, world-first screenings and anniversary celebrations. Highlights include the Australian premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s latest cinematic project, the world premiere of Paramount+ series Two Years Later starring Phoebe Tonkin and Brenton Thwaites, and a special reunion marking the enduring legacy of Shine.

Festival weekend brings even more reason to linger. Saturday’s program features chaotically brilliant live comedy from Aunty Donna, a major Screen Careers Expo for emerging creatives, and a show-stopping red-carpet premiere. Sunday closes the festival on a high with an in-depth conversation between Anna Torv and director Emma Freeman, a Dance Academy reunion and a 20-year anniversary celebration of beloved Aussie film Kenny with Shane Jacobson.

For those keen to go behind the scenes, AACTA Industry Day on Thursday February 5 brings together screen practitioners and industry leaders for a full day of insights, keynote conversations and career-shaping sessions, including appearances from Tony Ayres and Sony Pictures Television executive Wayne Garvie, alongside the return of the popular Meet the Nominees events.

Whether you’re a film tragic, pop-culture obsessive, industry insider or curious first-timer, AACTA Festival 2026 offers a rare chance to experience the full spectrum of screen culture in one place. Explore the full and growing program at aactafestival.com.

Image credit: AACTA Website