Australia’s top screen talent descended on the Gold Coast for the 2025 AACTA Awards, presented by Foxtel Group and hosted by AACTA President Russell Crowe. The star-studded night featured performances from British icon Robbie Williams, who belted out his classic Angels, and Aussie legend Paul Kelly, delivering a heartfelt How to Make Gravy.
The night’s presenters were just as impressive, with a lineup including Henry Cavill, Kitty Flanagan, Dr. George Miller, Sam Pang, Kate Mulvany, Guy Pearce, Anne Edmonds, Aisha Dee, Alycia Debnam-Carey, David Wenham, Asher Keddie, Teresa Palmer, Stephen Curry, Ed Kavalee, Aaron Chen, Lisa McCune, Tom Gleeson, Shane Jacobson, Catherine Martin, Guy Montgomery, Mel Tracina, Tim McDonald, Richard Wilkins, Leah Purcell, Sophie Monk, and Catherine Laga’aia.
Travis Fimmel and Phoebe Tonkin in Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe.
Big winners of the night
Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe dominated, collecting six more trophies on the night – bringing its total haul to 12 AACTA Awards after success at the AACTA Industry Awards Gala. The critically acclaimed miniseries took home Best Miniseries, Best Screenplay in Television (John Collee), and swept all four TV acting categories:
• Best Lead Actor in a Drama (Presented by Binge) – Felix Cameron
• Best Lead Actress in a Drama (Presented by Binge) – Phoebe Tonkin
• Best Supporting Actor – Lee Tiger Halley
• Best Supporting Actress – Deborah Mailman
Heartbreak High took out Best Drama Series, while Fisk triumphed in comedy, earning Kitty Flanagan Best Acting in a Comedy and the show itself winning Best Narrative Comedy Series. Hard Quiz continued its reign, taking Best Comedy Entertainment Program, and Bluey added yet another Best Children’s Program win to its ever-growing trophy cabinet.
The winner of Best Children’s Program at the AACTAS – Bluey.
Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic, also had a huge night, bagging four AACTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Direction in Film (Michael Gracey) – bringing its overall total to nine AACTA Awards. This year also marked a first for AACTA, with motion-capture and voice acting recognised in the Acting categories. Jonno Davies earned a nod for his motion-capture performance as a monkey in Better Man, while Damon Herriman picked up his fourth AACTA trophy, winning Best Supporting Actor for the film.
On the animation front, Jacki Weaver and Sarah Snook claimed Best Supporting Actress and Best Lead Actress, respectively, for their voice work in Memoir of a Snail. In documentaries, Gracie Otto’s Otto by Otto took home Best Documentary, recognised for its cultural impact and intimate storytelling.
Henry Cavill presented an award at the AACTA’s.
AACTA Audience Choice Awards
The people had their say, with Netflix’s Outer Banks named Australia’s Favourite TV Show and Wicked winning Favourite Film.
• Margot Robbie secured Favourite Australian Actress for the second year running.
• Chris Hemsworth was crowned Favourite Actor.
• Robert Irwin took home Favourite Media Personality.
• Bridey Drake, a social media sensation, won Favourite Digital Creator.
With a mix of fresh talent, blockbuster hits, and a nod to emerging formats, the 2025 AACTA Awards celebrated the best of Australian screen storytelling in spectacular style.
For the full list of winners and nominees head here.