Focus on Ability 2026
Red Carpet Awards
One afternoon, on a big screen, in front of a room that came to watch. The films that won this year's festival are screened and their awards are handed over in person, to the people who made them.
The festival finale
The night itself
Filmmakers, families, judges, sponsors and the crews who spent months on a five-minute film all end up in the same room, and the films are shown the way they were meant to be shown: large, loud, and with an audience reacting around you.
Most of the people accepting an award have never been to something like this before. That is rather the point. There is a red carpet at the front, photographs on arrival, and every winning filmmaker is called up by name.
You do not need to have entered a film to come. If you have watched the films, voted, taught a class that entered, or simply want to see what a year of this looks like on a big screen, the invitation is open.
What happens on the day
How the afternoon runs
- Arrivals Doors open and guests walk the red carpet. Photographs are taken on arrival and shared afterwards.
- Welcome The festival opens the afternoon and introduces the year's competition.
- Screening The finalists and winning films are shown on the big screen, grouped by category.
- Awards Each award is announced and presented on stage, with filmmakers invited up to accept.
- Refreshments Food and drinks are served, and there is time to meet the filmmakers, judges and guests.
The afternoon runs from 1pm to 5pm.
Presenting this year's awards.
Celebrity Presenters
- Lynne McGranger Irene Roberts on Home and Away for 33 years, and the 2025 Gold Logie winner
- John Jarratt Actor and director. Picnic at Hanging Rock, Wolf Creek, and What About Sal
- Christie Dawes Wheelchair racer across seven Paralympic Games, and a primary school teacher
- Gerard O'Dwyer Best Male Actor at Tropfest for Be My Brother, and the lead in What About Sal
- James Stewart Actor. Home and Away, Packed to the Rafters, and a Helpmann Award winner
- Ada Nicodemo Leah Patterson on Home and Away, and before that Heartbreak High
- Emma Myers Disability rights reporter, and co-creator of the SBS series Latecomers
- Nick Hardcastle Actor and host, on stage and screen and across children's television
- Tony Bonner Actor and acting coach, with a career spanning more than forty years
Refreshments
Refreshments are provided and are included - there is nothing to pay on the day. Let us know about any dietary requirements when you register.
Plan your visit
Getting there
The Concourse
409 Victoria Ave
Chatswood NSW
- The venue is accessible.
- Parking is under the building, with entry off Albert Avenue.
- Tell us about any access or dietary requirements when you register, or get in touch and we will arrange it.
- Photographs taken on the red carpet may be published afterwards. Tell us on the day if you would rather not be in them.
Sunday 18 October
Come along
The event is free. We only ask you to register so we know how many seats to set out and how much food to order. There is nothing to pay, at any point.
Every other festival screening is free too, and there are dates around the country.