Supernatural horror flick wins big at screen awards

Liz Hobday | February 6, 2026

Sarah Snook, with Succession co-star Brian Cox, was recognised with a Trailblazer Award.

Folk horror film Bring Her Back has dominated the 2026 AACTA Awards, winning 10 awards including best film, while streaming series The Narrow Road to the Deep North has taken home nine gongs.

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards ceremony held on the Gold Coast on Friday night is the local industry’s answer to the Oscars or BAFTAs.

Earlier, Succession stars Sarah Snook and Brian Cox were among the stars to walk the red carpet at HOTA in Surfers Paradise, with Snook’s international career recognised at the ceremony with a Trailblazer Award.

Danny Philippou and Jonah Wren Phillips — Bring Her Back co-director Danny Philippou and young star Jonah Wren Phillips looking scary. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Bring Her Back star Sally Hawkins won best actress for her role as grieving mother Laura, who tries supernatural methods to bring her daughter Cathy back from the dead.

In an overall awards haul that could be described as frightening, Bring Her Back also won gongs for best film, direction, cinematography, costume, editing, casting, score, sound and hair and makeup.

Best lead actor went to Richard Roxburgh for his role in The Correspondent, a film based on the true story of journalist Peter Greste, who was imprisoned while reporting on the Arab Spring.

The Correspondent also won gongs for best screenplay and best production design.

Baz Luhrmann (left) and Catherine Martin — Film power couple Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin on the red carpet in Surfers Paradise. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

The stand out television production was Amazon Prime Video’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North, with nine wins across the television categories, including best direction and cinematography.

Best Lead Actor in a Drama went to the star of the five-part series Jacob Elordi, for his role as army surgeon Dorrigo Evans in the story based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker prize-winning novel.

The series also took out Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for Heather Mitchell.

ABC series The Newsreader was also among the winners with four wins from 12 nominations including best drama, as well as Best Lead Actress in a Drama for star Anna Torv.

The awards night and accompanying five-day industry festival bring an estimated $4.85 million to Queensland’s economy, according to the state government.