Australia’s screen stars swapped Sydney for the Gold Coast on Friday night, rolling into HOTA, Home of the Arts for the 2026 AACTA Awards ceremony presented by Foxtel Group with the red carpet doing plenty of the heavy lifting before a trophy was handed out.
Host Celeste Barber set the tone early in a sharp white look by Toni Maticevski, leaning into the relaxed, celebratory mood that has become the AACTAs’ signature.
One of the most watched arrivals was Sarah Snook, fresh off her Trailblazer honour who kept it tailored in a structured navy and black suit with Succession co star Brian Cox beside her in a blazer embroidered with bees.
The night also delivered a strong run for Australian designers and Australian style confidence.
Bridgerton’s Yerin Ha stepped out in a midnight purple Zimmermann dress while Phoebe Tonkin brought a vivid hit of cobalt in a Christopher Esber gown.
Delta Goodrem went with a black striped suit and loose ponytail, shrugging off the sticky Gold Coast weather like it was part of the brief.
Several of the men followed the same spirit from Thomas Cocquerel’s tonal brown tailoring to Mark Coles Smith’s velvet tux proving formalwear can still look current without chasing novelty.
There were plenty of memorable details at closer range like Susie Porter’s statement bow, Alycia Debnam Carey’s one shoulder black gown with scarf like drape and Courtney Act making a quick, high energy appearance to co hosting ABC’s Mardi Gras parade coverage.
By the time Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin arrived sharing the spotlight as one of the night’s most photographed pairs and it was clear the 2026 AACTA red carpet had become its own storyline, part fashion parade, part roll call of Australian screen power.
