Red River Cowboy earns AACTA nomination for best short film as Queensland filmmaker Grace Wriggles continues breakout year.
Queensland writer, director and actor Grace Wriggles has received a coveted AACTA nomination for Best Short Film for her bold Queensland Outback-set drama Red River Cowboy, marking a major milestone in her rapidly rising career.
The nomination caps off a huge year for Wriggles, whose Australian indie short has been gaining national and international momentum since its world premiere at Flickerfest 2025.
Shot in Outback Queensland, Red River Cowboy was created in collaboration with producer Christian McCarty and Short Stack Productions. Beautifully filmed by award-winning cinematographer David “Pony” Aponas.
Last month, Wriggles and McCarty travelled to Round Top (Texas) where the film won Best Overall Short at the prestigious Round Top Film Festival, further signalling its global appeal. The win has helped propel the film into award-season conversation, culminating in its recent AACTA recognition.
“Being nominated for an AACTA is a dream come true for our team. We put our hearts into this film, so it is exciting to go and celebrate with all the other nominees for their incredible films as well.”
Wriggles’ rise has been equally celebrated at home. Earlier this year she was named Emerging Filmmaker of the Year 2025 at the Gold Coast Film Festival, as well as winning Best Emerging Female Director at Brisbane’s AFIN in 2024. Solidifying her as one of Australia’s most exciting new creative voices.
Red River Cowboy features standout performances from cast members Bree Paige, Patch Harrison and Mitchell Cox, delivering an emotionally charged story grounded in the rugged landscape of rural Queensland.
With the AACTA Awards approaching and international attention growing, Red River Cowboy continues to carve out a powerful trajectory and firmly positions Wriggles as an emerging filmmaker to watch.
You can follow Grace Wriggles and the Red River Cowboy journey on Instagram.
