Entries Are Now Open For The AACTA Awards, Set To Shine On The Gold Coast

The Australian Academy (AACTA) have officially opened entries across Film, Television, Documentary and Short Film categories for the AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group and hosted in Queensland. 

Earlier this year, the Australian Academy announced the move of all major events to the Gold Coast, including the AACTA Awards ceremony, ScreenFest, and the AACTA International Awards, all slated for early 2024. This change will position the Australian Academy in the international award season alongside the Oscars and BAFTAs and extends the eligibility period to include film and television/streaming productions released in this calendar year.

With over 50 different award categories across film, television, documentary, and short film, the AACTA Awards showcase and celebrate Australian stories, culture, and creativity on the big and small screens. All award categories from the previous year will return with further details regarding Digital Awards to be announced soon.

AFI AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said, “The growing demand for homegrown content and increasing production levels is incredibly encouraging. Local scripted and unscripted content is flourishing across the board, and we expect one of the biggest and strongest awards fields ever in Drama and Comedy this year. The same goes for Features, with recent high-profile overseas film premieres driving global engagement, along with our digital creator economy, which continues to grow at an exponential rate. 

“As we look ahead to the forthcoming AACTA Awards, we are delighted to witness an industry on an upward trajectory that’s creating intense competition across many genres. We look forward to seeing you all early next year for a host of celebrations and festival activities at one of our most dynamic production locations, Queensland’s fabulous Gold Coast.”

Amanda Laing, Chief Commercial and Content Officer at Foxtel Group said, “Australia is producing some of the world’s best content from compelling drama and must-watch reality to laugh-out-loud comedy making waves on the global stage. There will be lots to celebrate at the 2024 AACTA Awards at a new destination in the Gold Coast and as part of the global awards season. We’re thrilled to once again be the presenting partner of this important event and supporting our incredible creative industry.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the AACTA Awards would make a dazzling debut on the Gold Coast in 2024.

“Attracting Australia’s most prestigious awards ceremony is a real coup and surely seals the Glitter Strip’s reputation as being Hollywood on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“The AACTA Awards will not only inject $3.4m into our economy but will further enhance Queensland’s international reputation as a world-class destination for the production of great cinema and television content.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said, “I can't wait to welcome the best talent in the industry to the Gold Coast next year for these prestigious Awards. I’ve no doubt our local talent will feature heavily among the AACTA nominees as the Gold Coast screen sector continues to go from strength to strength.

"The AACTA Awards will boost our city's reputation as a place where magic happens, in front of and behind the lens. It's lights, camera ... Gold Coast in 2024," he said. 

Dr Belinda Burns, Screen Queensland Acting CEO said, “Screen Queensland looks forward to welcoming the industry to Queensland for the 2024 AACTA Awards. We are proud to support this celebration of screen excellence and the opportunities the awards and ScreenFest program will provide for our state’s talented creatives and practitioners to connect with their peers.”

AACTA Awards Key Dates

-        June 2, 2023 – Entries open across all categories

-        July 17, 2023– Short Film Entries Close

-        August 14, 2023 – Documentary Entries Close

-        October 2, 2023 – Film Entries Close

-        October 2, 2023 – Visual Effects or Animation Entries Close

-        October 16, 2023 – Television/Streaming Entries Close

Full list of AACTA Award categories

Film Awards

-        Best Adapted Screenplay in Film

-        Best Cinematography in Film

-        Best Costume Design in Film

-        Best Direction in Film

-        Best Editing in Film

-        Best Film

-        Best Indie Film

-        Best Lead Actor in Film

-        Best Lead Actress in Film

-        Best Original Score in Film

-        Best Original Screenplay in Film

-        Best Production Design in Film

-        Best Sound in Film

-        Best Supporting Actor in Film

-        Best Supporting Actress in Film

Television Awards

-        Best Children’s Program

-        Best Cinematography in Television

-        Best Comedy Entertainment Program

-        Best Comedy Performer

-        Best Costume Design in Television

-        Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy

-        Best Direction in Nonfiction Television

-        Best Documentary or Factual Program

-        Best Drama Series

-        Best Editing in Television

-        Best Entertainment Program

-        Best Factual Entertainment Program

-        Best Lead Actor in a Drama

-        Best Lead Actress in a Drama

-        Best Lifestyle Program

-        Best Miniseries

-        Best Narrative Comedy Series

-        Best Original Score in Television

-        Best Production Design in Television

-        Best Reality Program

-        Best Screenplay in Television

-        Best Sound in Television

-        Best Stand-Up Special

-        Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

-        Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

Additional Awards

-        Best Casting presented by Casting Networks

-        Best Hair and Makeup presented by HASK

-        Best Visual Effects or Animation

Documentary Awards

-        Best Cinematography in a Documentary

-        Best Documentary (awarded to the Director and Producers)

-        Best Editing in a Documentary

-        Best Original Score in a Documentary

-        Best Sound in a Documentary

Short Film Awards

-        Best Short Film

For more information and to enter, click here.

Further details for the 2024 Digital Award categories will be announced soon.