2026 AACTA Brian Walsh Award

The Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent Returns for its Third Year!

Submissions are now open for the third year of the Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent. The award pays homage to the late Brian Walsh, one of Australia’s most admired screen creatives, and is dedicated to recognising the innovation and passion exhibited by individuals who are in the early stages of their acting careers.

The recipient of the AACTA Brian Walsh Award will receive a package valued at $25,000 towards their career development, including $20,000 in direct career advancement funds contributed by Nicole Kidman and AACTA, and local and international tax services valued at $5,000 from Vialto Partners. The Award recipient will also gain invaluable career support, substantial exposure and recognition through AACTA and its partners.

Previous winners include Ngali Shaw (The Twelve, Deadloch) and Kartanya Maynard (Heartbreak High, Deadloch).

“The Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent has truly changed my life. It's opened doors, encouraged growth and provided me the support to launch my international career. I'm incredibly thankful" - 2025 AACTA Brian Walsh Award winner Kartanya Maynard.

The AACTA Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent is open to actors with less than five years of professional, credited experience. Entrants must be over 18 years of age and cannot have previously been nominated for an AACTA Award.

Entries close 5:00PM AEDT Monday 15 December 2025.

Friday, November 28  – Entries Open

Entrants must submit:

• A professional headshot.
• A CV outlining all acting experience.
• A one-page letter of endorsement that can be written by the applicant or another person recommending the consideration of the applicant.
• A piece to camera by the applicant that details what their acting aspirations are, and how the award and career development funds will help them achieve their aims; and
• Show reel or a scene from a released production that demonstrates their acting ability;
• A self tape (composed of the entrant's choice)

5:00PM AEDT Monday 15 December - Entries Close 

Shortlisted applicants will be notified in late December with a final round of interview to be undertaken w/c 5 January.

Michael Idato - Culture Editor-at-Large of The Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age

Jamie Campbell - Communications Consultant

Amanda Laing - Managing Director, Nine Streaming and Broadcast

Lana Greenhalgh - Director of Scripted Originals, Foxtel

Unjoo Moon - Director and Producer

Amanda Duthie - Content Director, Netflix ANZ

Lindsey Martin - Senior Vice-President of International Co-Productions and Development at CBS Studios

Carly Heaton - Head of Scripted, Fremantle

Rob Collins - AACTA Award Nominated Actor

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