Geraldton-based and filmed Invisible Boys nominated for two AACTA Awards, for best mini-series and editing

Geraldton-based and filmed TV series Invisible Boys will be vying for a couple of gongs at the 2026 AACTA Awards early next month. The 10-episode original Stan series — based on Geraldton author Holden Sheppard’s award-winning LQBTQIA+ debut novel from 2019 — has been nominated in two categories — best miniseries and best editing in television. The coming of age drama, which follows a group of teenage boys dealing with their sexuality while growing up in Geraldton, was filmed in Geraldton and Perth in 2023 and 2024, and premiered on Stan in February 2025. Invisible Boys is vying against other acclaimed miniseries, including Apple Cider Vinegar, Mix Tape, The Last Anniversary, The Narrow Road to the Deep North and The Survivors. Apple Cider Vinegar, The Newsreader and Mystery Road: Origin received the most AACTA nominations. The core cast of Invisible Boys is made up of newcomers Joseph Zada, Joe Klocek, Aydan Calafiore and Zach Blampied, supported by acting veterans such as Pia Miranda, Hayley McElhinney and David Lyons. Zada has shot to stardom since filming Invisible Boys, starring in the Prime Video series We Were Liars and earning the lead role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping to be released worldwide in November this year. Invisible Boys spent about a month filming in Geraldton and Zada told the Geraldton Guardian last year it was a wonderful experience. “We love Geraldton. The overall light in the town and the sunrises and sunsets we got to experience were insane. The landscape is just incredible and one of my favourite scenes at a lookout shows that,” he said. He hoped Invisible Boys would resonate with viewers. “I hope that people just watch it and enjoy it and maybe start some discussions, especially now when we’re at a pretty interesting time as a society,” Zada said. The winners of the 2026 AACTA Awards will be announced at a ceremony on the Gold Coast on Friday, February 6.