The 2026 Griffin Award & Keynote is at capacity! Keep an eye on our ticketing page, as small handfuls of tickets may become available due to occasional cancellations.

Join the Waitlist

The prestigious Griffin Award is a cornerstone of Australian playwriting—shaping the nation’s theatre landscape for more than 25 years. The Griffin Award recognises an outstanding idea for a play or performance text that displays an authentic, inventive and contemporary Australian voice.

Our three finalists for the 2026 Griffin Award and their plays are:

Amarantha—They Came For Cane
Danish Sheikh—Bureaucracy: A Love Story
Vernon Pua—8 Hot Tips on Sharing Your Bed

Learn more about each of the finalists and their plays here.

In 2026, thanks to the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, the winner will receive a full commission and dramaturgical support from Griffin Theatre Company to develop their play in-house.

We are also proud to present the Griffin Award & Keynote for the third year running. The Keynote will serve as a clarion call for Australian storytelling. This year’s speaker is writer, actor and director Sheridan Harbridge, whose body of work spans both performance and playwriting, including titles such as My Brilliant Career, Prima Facie and Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett.

The Griffin Award & Keynote is not to be missed in 2026—make sure you have your ticket to be in the room where it happens.