Bruce Beresford at AACTA 2026: honouring a life of storytelling

This week, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) will bestow one of its highest honours, the Longford Lyell Award, on one of our most enduring and influential filmmakers, Bruce Beresford. The accolade, which recognises a lifetime of outstanding contribution to Australian screen culture, will be presented at the 2026 AACTA Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast.

For more than five decades, Beresford’s work has resonated Down Under and around the world, shaping the way we see ourselves on screen. His films are celebrated for their humanity, sharp wit, and cultural impact — storytelling that reflects both local identity and universal themes.

From early classics to international acclaim, Beresford’s remarkable body of work blends heart, drama, and character-rich narratives:

The Getting of Wisdom ( 1979) is a Criterion classic about an imaginative young girl who refuses to be broken into the mould of a Victorian-era lady.

Puberty Blues (1981) captures a vivid slice of Australian youth culture and remains a touchstone of local cinema.

Breaker Morant (1980) stands as a powerful re-examination of justice and war, marking Beresford as a director of deep moral insight.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989) — perhaps his best-known international success — won the Academy Award for Best Picture, bringing his sensibilities to a global audience with warmth and nuance.

These films — among others in his catalogue — have contributed to a distinctly Australian voice in world cinema while also engaging with broad human experience.

The Longford Lyell Award is Australia’s premier lifetime achievement prize, presented annually by AACTA to individuals whose careers have made an “unwavering commitment to excellence” in screen storytelling. Beresford’s recognition this year places him among a distinguished lineage of screen practitioners whose work has defined Australian film and television.

The award will be presented by long-time collaborator and screen icon Bryan Brown, a fitting tribute to a creative partnership that has enriched Australian screen history.

At Beamafilm, we celebrate storytellers who deepen our understanding of place, people, and history — and Bruce Beresford’s work does exactly that. Whether exploring youth, identity, loyalty, or social complexity, his films continue to inspire audiences, creators, and critics alike.

As the 2026 AACTA Awards shine a spotlight on Australian screen excellence, Beresford’s honour is both a celebration of an extraordinary career and a reminder of the impact powerful stories have on our culture.