The winners of the 2025 AACTA Awards Industry Gala, presented by the Foxtel Group, have been announced, with Boy Swallows Universe emerging as the biggest winner in the television categories. The prestigious event, held at HOTA on the Gold Coast, marked the first of two major AACTA ceremonies this week, with more awards to be presented on Friday night.
Netflix and ABC were the only winners in the television category, reinforcing their dominance in Australian content production. Other big winners included Muster Dogs, Spicks & Specks, Bluey, Grand Designs Australia, Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian, and Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson.
Boy Swallows Universe leads the pack
The critically acclaimed adaptation of Trent Dalton’s bestselling novel won multiple categories, solidifying its place as one of the standout productions of the year. Notable wins included:
• Best casting in television – Nikki Barrett
• Best cinematography in television – Shelley Farthing-Dawe (Episode 4)
• Best direction in drama or comedy – Bharat Nalluri (Episode 1)
• Best editing in television – Mark Perry (Episode 4)
• Best costume design in television – Kerry Thompson (Episode 4)
• Best production design in television – Michelle McGahey (Episode 4)
• Best sound in television – Sam Hayward, Scott Mulready, Danielle Wiessner, Nigel Christensen (Episode 4)
• Best original score in television – Johnny Klimek, Gabriel Isaac Mounsey (Episode 4)
Netflix and ABC share the spotlight
With Boy Swallows Universe dominating, the television awards were largely split between streaming giant Netflix and the national broadcaster ABC. Other ABC winners included Spicks & Specks, Grand Designs Australia, and Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian, reinforcing the network’s strong slate of factual and entertainment programming.
Tom Gleeson took home the Best Comedy Performer award for his hosting role on Hard Quiz, while ABC’s Spicks & Specks won Best Entertainment Program. In the lifestyle category, Grand Designs Australia continued its success, taking home the Best Lifestyle Program award.
AACTA film categories see surprises
While television winners took the spotlight, early film categories saw Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga take home Best Costume Design in Film, while Better Man won for Best Casting in Film. The much-anticipated Binge film How to Make Gravy missed out in its first categories but remains a strong contender for Friday night’s main awards.
The second AACTA Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 7 February, airing live on Ten at 7:30pm AEDT. A special extended broadcast, including all awards from the night, will be available from 7:30pm on Saturday, 8 February on Binge and Foxtel (Famous and On-Demand).