Margot Robbie is AACTA’s 2024 ‘Trailblazer’ after Oscars snub

It’s not an Oscar, but Margot Robbie will take a hometown victory lap next month as she returns to the Gold Coast to be honoured with AACTA’s Trailblazer Award.

Ten years on from her explosive breakthrough in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, Margot Robbie will receive the highest honour in Australian film and television.

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has today announced that Robbie will be the recipient of the prestigious Trailblazer Award in 2024, which will be presented to her on the Gold Coast next fortnight.

Margot Robbie attends the Australian premiere of Babylon at State Theatre on January 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images.

Margot Robbie plays Nellie LaRoy in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Prior winners include Chris Hemsworth, Simon Baker, Isla Fisher, and Rose Byrne.

“I am truly honoured to accept the AACTA Trailblazer Award, especially in my hometown on the Gold Coast. Australia has always been my grounding force, and to receive this recognition here is incredibly special,” Robbie said.

Margot Robbie in the Wolf of Wall Street in 2013.

It comes as the 33-year-old lost out on a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Barbie last week, sparking global discourse. Everybody from her co-star Ryan Gosling, to Whoopi Goldberg, Hillary Clinton, and your next door neighbour had an opinion.

Oscar or no, Robbie has had the moment of her career with Barbie, a project she shepherded to the screen as a producer long before she claimed the lead role.

(L-R) Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie accept the Best Comedy Award for "Barbie" onstage during the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

“I believe in the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on shaping culture and inspiring others,” she said. “This award is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of everyone involved in the film community, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Thank you to AACTA for this tremendous honour and I look forward to celebrating with the Australian screen industry in Queensland next month.”

Margot Robbie attends the 'I, Tonya' UK premiere held at The Curzon Mayfair on February 15, 2018. Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images.

Margot Robbie as Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding in the I, Tonya film.

Margot Robbie attends the "Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn" World Premiere at the BFI IMAX in 2020. Photo: Gareth Cattermole.

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in a scene from the movie Birds of Prey. Warner Brothers Pictures.

Citing the star’s lead roles in I, Tonya, Birds of Prey, Bombshell, and production of Promising Young Woman (via Robbie’s own production company LuckyChap) AACTA said she “played a pivotal role in bringing forth female-driven stories.”

“Her impact extends beyond her on-screen performances, as she continues to shape narratives and challenge industry norms.”

Speaking to industry publication Deadline about her production work, Robbie said that her last priority is to shepherd more projects that might bring her image back to theatre lobbies and billboards anytime soon. “Everyone’s probably sick of the sight of me for now.”

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