Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
Media Release Biggest Darwin International Film Festival ever to underscore a blockbuster season for Territory screen
9 September 2026
Darwin International Film Festival runs from 10-20 September 2026 with its biggest program ever, closing out a star-studded season of Territory film and television. The coming fortnight will see a series of events across the Top End to promote film and TV in the Territory, and comes after a long list of local productions receive global recognition.Finocchiaro CLP Government will continue supporting screen as we back Territory stories and Territory talent to grow our visitor economy.
2026 is has already been a blockbuster year of Territory screen, as films, festivals, awards, and accolades put the NT in the spotlight like never before.
To cap it all off, film industry professionals from across the world will come together in Darwin this week for the 17th annual Darwin International Film Festival – the centrepiece of a fortnight dedicated to film and TV.
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Marie-Clare Boothby, said the Territory’s screen industry was making a huge global impact.
“From Kangaroo and Wolfram, to Deadloch and NCIS, we’ve seen the Territory’s film industry taking the world by storm,” Minister Boothby said. “It’s the kind of marketing that money can’t buy.”
“The reality is that when viewers see the Territory on screen, they’re more likely to become visitors. That kind of interest and exposure leads to higher visitation and greater investment in the Territory economy.
“In fact, for every dollar we’re investing into screen, we’re seeing a 400% return for Territorians. At the same time, events like Darwin International Film Festival show the wealth of opportunities available to locals.
In the last year alone, Territory productions have garnered significant global attention:
Kangaroo: won Feature Film Production of the Year at the SPA Awards, and Deborah Mailman won Best Supporting Actress at the AACTAs. Deadloch Season 2: reached the Prime Video Global Top 10 in more than 165 countries, and was nominated at the 2026 Logies for Best Scripted Comedy Program, with individual nominations for Kate Box, Madeleine Sami and Steve Bisley. Top End Bub: nominated for Best Scripted Comedy Program at the 2026 Logies, after Miranda Tapsell won Best Acting in a Comedy at the AACTAs. Journey Home, David Gulpilil: won Feature Documentary Production of the Year at the SPA Awards, and Best Documentary and Best Original Score at the AACTA’s. Wolfram: competed at the Berlin International Film Festival and later screened to a sold-out audience at the Shanghai International Film Festival. RFDS: Territorian actor Rob Collins nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Drama at the 2026 Logies. Emily: I Am Kam: won Best Documentary/Factual Single at AIDC and the Special Jury Prize at the FIFO International Oceania Documentary Film Festival. aŋutji: won the Dendy Award for Best Live Action Australian Short at the Sydney Film Festival. Bear: won Best Casting in a Short Film at the 2025 Casting Guild of Australia Awards and continued screening internationally in 2026.
On top of these, and off the back of his heartfelt 2025 documentary, ‘A Roadtrip to Remember’, Chris Hemsworth’s company Wild State took to the Finke Desert Race in June, beginning development of a feature film based on the iconic event.
The showcase is set to continue with Darwin International Film Festival running from 10-20 September at the iconic Darwin Deckchair Cinema – funded by the Finocchiaro CLP Government. At the same time, the Australian Cinematography Society NT biennial awards will celebrate local talent, while the NT Screen and Cinematic Craft Summit, launching at Government House, will allow screen professionals to hone their skills.
Manager of the annual Darwin International Film Festival, Erin Lucas, said, “This is our biggest festival yet, featuring 11 days of films, events, and special guests, including our largest international lineup to date. With 38 sessions across four venues, world premieres, and family events, there really is something for everyone!”
Minister Boothby concluded: “In our year of growth, certainty, and security, we’re showing the world that there’s no better place to live, work, visit or invest – or film – than the Northern Territory!”
