‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Hamnet’ Lead 2026 AACTA International Awards Nominations

Awards season has officially expanded to the Southern Hemisphere as the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts announced nominations for the 2026 AACTA International Awards. Warner Bros.’ One Battle After Another leads all films with seven nominations, followed closely by Focus Features’ Hamnet, which received six.

The two titles will compete in several major categories, including Best Film, alongside A24’s Marty Supreme, Sony Pictures Classics’ Nuremberg, and Warner Bros.’ Sinners.

The annual event, now in its 15th year, will take place February 6 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Film Categories Dominated by Rival Prestige Projects

One Battle After Another earned nominations in six of AACTA’s seven film categories. Notably, co-stars Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn will compete head-to-head for Best Supporting Actor. Hamnet, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, also scored six nominations, missing only Best Lead Actor.

Major nominees in acting categories include:

• Best Lead Actor: Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Russell Crowe (Nuremberg), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Hugh Jackman (Song Sung Blue)

• Best Lead Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)

Australian natives received strong recognition across film and television, with nominees including Crowe, Jackman, Edgerton, Jacob Elordi, Dacre Montgomery, Rose Byrne, and Sarah Snook.

Television Categories Feature Award Favorites

In television, the Best Drama Series nominees include:

• Adolescence

• Severance

• Slow Horses

• The Diplomat

• The Pitt

Competing for Best Comedy Series are:

• Hacks

• Only Murders in the Building

• The Bear

• Shrinking

• The Studio

The acting races feature notable returning nominees, including Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Jean Smart (Hacks), Keri Russell (The Diplomat) and Sarah Snook, who continues her awards momentum post-Succession.

Industry Momentum Heading Into Oscar Season

The AACTA International Awards are seen as an early predictor of momentum heading toward the Oscars. With YouTube set to host the Academy Awards broadcast beginning in 2029 and global streaming competition intensifying, international awards bodies are gaining more visibility.

This year’s slate continues a trend toward franchise-free prestige films, character-driven dramas and auteur-driven storytelling. Alongside returning powerhouses like Paul Thomas Anderson, Maggie O’Farrell and Chloe Zhao, industry analysts expect an unpredictable awards year defined by major ensemble casts and multiple category contenders.

With One Battle After Another and Hamnet surging ahead in the nomination count, all eyes turn to the February ceremony to see which title solidifies frontrunner status.

As global awards season accelerates, the international spotlight only continues to expand beyond Hollywood, amplifying recognition for Australian audiences and creators.