Screen Producers Awards 2026: Winners

Why It Matters

The dual win highlights the growing export strength of Australian screen businesses, signaling increased global demand for locally produced content. It also underscores the industry's resilience and creative depth amid shifting international markets.

Key Takeaways

• Jungle Entertainment clinched Production Business of the Year and Export awards
• SPA Awards highlighted 30+ winning productions across drama, documentary, factual
• ABC's Susie Jones named Commissioner of the Year for documentary leadership
• Cascade Films founders received Lifetime Achievement for pioneering Australian filmmaking
• Awards underscore Australia's growing export footprint in screen content

Pulse Analysis

The 24th Annual Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Awards, staged on the final night of Screen Forever 40 in Gold Coast, celebrated the breadth of Australian screen output in 2025‑26. Jungle Entertainment emerged as the standout business, taking home both Production Business of the Year and the Screen Business Export award, a rare double that signals its success in scaling content for overseas markets. The ceremony, hosted by Rhys Nicholson and attended by Arts Minister Tony Burke and Senator Sarah Hanson‑Young, also honoured a slate of programmes ranging from drama series like The Newsreader to factual hits such as Grand Designs Australia.

Jungle’s export triumph reflects a broader shift as Australian producers increasingly tap international streaming platforms and co‑production treaties. In the past year, Australian‑origin titles accounted for a 22 % rise in overseas sales, driven by demand for distinctive storytelling and cost‑effective production hubs. Government incentives, including the Producer Offset and export‑focused grants, have lowered barriers, while the rise of global players like Netflix and Stan has opened new distribution windows. The SPA Awards therefore serve as a barometer of a sector that is both creatively vibrant and commercially export‑ready.

Beyond the headline wins, the night highlighted leadership and legacy. ABC’s Susie Jones was named Commissioner of the Year, underscoring public broadcasters’ role in nurturing documentary talent, while Cascade Films’ Nadia Tass and David Parker received a Lifetime Achievement award for decades of pioneering work. The diversity and inclusion category showcased projects that amplify under‑represented voices, reinforcing industry commitments to broader representation. For investors and creators, the awards signal a healthy ecosystem where business acumen, creative excellence, and export potential converge.