Mekonnen Knife's Surreal Journey to AACTA Awards Recognition
Emerging Australian actor Mekonnen Knife has described his nomination for the inaugural Rabanne Breakthrough Artist Award at the 2026 AACTA Awards as a "surreal feeling." The 19-year-old star, known for his role in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, is among the nation's fastest-rising talents being celebrated at this prestigious ceremony honoring Australian film and television excellence.
A Dream Realised on the Gold Coast
The Ethiopian-born, Queensland-raised performer expressed overwhelming gratitude for simply being able to attend the awards, let alone receiving a nomination. "At the start, I just wanted to be able to go to the AACTA Awards, because I've never been," Knife revealed. "It's surreal, I'm super grateful, and it's been a really fun and exciting journey."
For the young actor, the nomination itself represents a significant victory. "To me, it's a win in itself, to be able to be nominated alongside amazing actors and creative people and such amazing professionals at their work. It's just incredible. So no matter the outcome, I'm going to be happy walking away, knowing that I was able to be in that room."
Shaping Australian Storytelling's Future
The Rabanne Breakthrough Artist Award specifically highlights performers who are helping to shape the future of Australian storytelling on the global stage. Knife finds himself in impressive company, with fellow nominees including:
- Milly Alcock
- Felix Mallard
- Samara Weaving
- Maia Mitchell
- Josh Heuston
- Odessa Young
- Joseph Zada
Looking ahead to 2026, the multi-talented singer and dancer hinted at an ambitious year ahead. "It's going to be a busy year. I'll say that much," he teased. "There's some really cool stuff I'm excited to be diving into, and I will be kind of all over the place this year, but in a good way."
Australia Remains Home Base
Despite his growing international profile and hectic schedule, Knife reassured fans that he has no plans to leave Australia permanently. "I ain't leaving Australia. This is my home," he stated emphatically. "I love LA. I love America. It's amazing for great people, great vibes, great friends. But there's something about Australia that I'm just drawn to, and it will always be my base. I don't think anything will change that."
Intentional Storytelling Approach
As he continues to establish himself in the industry, Knife approaches acting with thoughtful intentionality. "Acting is a special kind of art, because you get to tell a story through a different person's eyes," he explained. "You get to jump into a character that's not yourself and immerse yourself in this whole new world."
The Shake Takes star emphasized his commitment to projects that align with his values. "I want to take my career in a way that any project I do, it aligns with my values and the kind of storytelling I want to do. I don't want to do any project just for the sake of saying I'm doing that movie or I'm doing that show. I want to make sure there's a real intent behind it."
Recent Career Highlights
Knife ended 2025 on a remarkable high, having completed the extensive Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour across North America. The interactive live concert experience took him to 43 cities over four months, where he performed hit songs from the Disney franchise.
Reflecting on the tour, Knife acknowledged both its challenges and rewards. "It was tough on the body and mind," he admitted, "but I got to perform in some amazing places. I mean, Madison Square Garden, we sold it out. And it's so hard to comprehend that. Being able to see the fans' live reaction and getting to have that one-on-one connection with fans was really special."
AACTA Awards Celebration Details
The 2026 AACTA Awards, hosted by comedian Celeste Barber, will feature a star-studded lineup of presenters including:
- Sarah Snook
- Brian Cox
- Dacre Montgomery
- Baz Luhrmann
- Sam Neill
- Phoebe Tonkin
From Hollywood heavyweights to breakout stars, comedy favourites to screen legends, the AACTA Awards and Festival celebrates the depth, diversity and global impact of Australian screen storytelling.
Western Australian viewers can watch the ceremony on Channel 10 at 4.30pm on Friday. A special extended AACTA Awards broadcast, including all awards from the ceremony, will be available on Binge and Foxtel on Saturday.
