Sarah Snook’s extraordinary career is coming full circle this February, with the acclaimed actor returning home to headline a special In Conversation event at the 2026 AACTA Festival – and to receive one of the Australian screen industry’s highest honours.
The Succession star will be awarded the prestigious AACTA Trailblazer Award at the 2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony, presented by Foxtel Group, on Friday, 6th February at HOTA on the Gold Coast. The Trailblazer Award recognises Australians who have carved out singular, influential careers on the global stage, and few embody that spirit more fully than Snook.
The following morning, Saturday, 7th February, audiences will have the rare chance to hear directly from Snook herself when she takes part in an exclusive In Conversation session at the AACTA Festival, joined by fellow Australian actor and longtime friend Shane Jacobson. Together, they’ll reflect on a career that has seen Snook evolve from early Australian screen roles into one of the most respected performers working today, across television, film and theatre.
During the session, Snook will revisit her breakthrough turn as Shiv Roy in HBO’s Succession – a role that brought her an Emmy, two Golden Globes and international acclaim – while also discussing her most recent work. That includes the limited series All Her Fault, which earned her the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Limited Series in Los Angeles just last week, alongside a Golden Globe nomination. Australian audiences can currently stream the series on BINGE. The conversation will also explore her remarkable stage success in The Picture of Dorian Gray, a performance that saw her claim both the Laurence Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Actress – two of the highest honours in theatre worldwide.
Accepting news of the Trailblazer Award, Snook reflected on the foundations of her career. “Australia is where I learned to love storytelling,” she said. “Every opportunity I’ve had began with the support of this community. I’m grateful to the filmmakers, co-stars, crews and audiences who have lifted me up along the way. It’s a privilege to represent Australian talent on the world stage, and I hope to keep contributing to the vibrant, world-class industry we’re building together.”
Snook’s relationship with AACTA spans more than a decade. She has received six AACTA nominations and won three awards, including her first in 2012 for Sisters of War, followed by wins for Predestination and, most recently, her voice performance in the animated feature Memoir of a Snail. Her body of work – from The Dressmaker to Succession, from Australian cinema to Broadway and the West End – has positioned her as one of the most versatile and admired actors of her generation.
The Trailblazer Award, previously presented to figures such as Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Rose Byrne, Simon Baker and Isla Fisher, honours Australian screen practitioners whose careers have inspired others and elevated Australian storytelling around the world. The award is determined by the AFI | AACTA Board.
AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella described Snook as a natural choice. “From her early work in Australian film and television to her extraordinary global success across screen and stage, Sarah has carved a reputation as one of Australia’s greatest performers,” he said. “She continues to champion Australian storytelling on the world stage while inspiring the next generation of creatives at home.”
Snook’s In Conversation event will take place from 10–11am on Saturday, 7th February 2026 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, as part of the wider AACTA Festival, which runs from Wednesday, 4th February to Sunday, 8th February. Tickets for the session are limited, with media, industry members and fans encouraged to book early.
Across five days, the AACTA Festival will once again transform HOTA into a vibrant hub of screen culture, featuring more than 100 events, 300 on-stage participants and an expected 15,000 attendees. From premieres and masterclasses to workshops, outdoor screenings and the Screen Careers Expo, the festival offers something for everyone — whether you’re an emerging creative, an industry professional, or simply someone who loves great storytelling.
Tickets for AACTA Festival events and the AACTA Awards are available now via aactafestival.com.
