The nominees for the KURIER ROMY 2026 have been announced. They were presented today at a press conference at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. This year, personalities from film, television, journalism, entertainment and sport are competing in eight categories. From today until 13 October 2026, the public can vote to decide who will receive one of the most coveted awards in the German-speaking film and television industry.
“The KURIER ROMY is a reflection of which film and television personalities resonate most strongly with people across the German-speaking world,” says Richard Grasl, Managing Director of KURIER. “Especially at a time when the media and entertainment landscape is changing rapidly, it is important to us to highlight outstanding achievements both in front of and behind the camera and to celebrate them together with the public. We are very much looking forward to once again honouring and celebrating this year’s winners in the exclusive setting of the KURIER ROMY Hall. Our special thanks therefore also go to our sponsors, whose support makes it possible to stage and deliver an event of this scale.”
A Grand Stage for Great Emotions
The glamorous gala will once again take place at Schloss Kaps in Kitzbühel on 27 November 2026. The exclusive setting will be provided by the KURIER ROMY Hall, specially constructed for the event week. Covering 2,650 square metres and accommodating around 600 guests, the venue will be presented in gold and midnight blue this year. Fanny Stapf and Giovanni Zarrella will host the gala evening, guiding guests and viewers through a varied mix of information, entertainment and memorable emotional moments.
Dr. Viktoria Veider-Walser, Managing Director of Kitzbühel Tourism: “With the KURIER ROMY and Kitzbühel, two strong brands with international appeal come together. Following last year’s successful premiere, we are delighted to continue this partnership and once again provide the KURIER ROMY with an exceptional stage. Together with the start of the ski season on the Hahnenkamm and the Kitzbühel Advent season, it marks a glamorous opening to Kitzbühel’s winter season.”
Online public voting starts today and runs until 12.00 noon on 13 October 2026. Votes can be cast online at romy.at in eight categories this year. “The KURIER ROMY is always also a reflection of what moves, excites and leaves a lasting impression on audiences. The diversity of this year’s nominees in particular demonstrates just how broad the spectrum of film, television and journalism has become – from traditional acting to news and entertainment, as well as memorable sporting moments,” says Georg Leyrer, KURIER’s Head of Culture and Media and Chairman of the KURIER ROMY Jury.
Big Names and Outstanding Performances – The Nominees in Eight Categories
In the Most Popular Actress – TV/Streaming category, the nominees are Julia Edtmeier for Weber und Breitfuß, Mariam Hage for Die Fälle der Gerti B., Erika Deutinger/Linde Prelog/Erika Mottl for Eierkratzkomplott, and Angelika Niedetzky for Soko Linz.
The nominees for Most Popular Actor – TV/Streaming are Simon Morzé for Landkrimi: Schnee von gestern, Edin Hasanovic for Tatort: Fackel, Maximilian Brückner for Kommissar Rex, and Gerhard Liebmann for Sternstunde der Mörder and Spuren des Bösen.
The big screen is also prominently represented. In the Most Popular Actress – Film category, Léa Seydoux is nominated for GENTLE MONSTER, Sandra Hüller for ROSE and INGEBORG BACHMANN, Valerie Pachner for VIER MINUS DREI, and Elke Winkens for HOW TO BE NORMAL.
The nominees for Most Popular Actor – Film are Christoph Maria Herbst for GANZER HALBER BRUDER, STROMBERG and EXTRAWURST, Elyas M’Barek for VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT&DAY, Robert Stadlober for VIER MINUS DREI, and August Zirner for DER VERLORENE MANN.
Glamour, Major Shows and Top Entertainment
The Show/Entertainment category provides the stage for some of the public’s biggest favourites. Heidi Klum celebrates 20 years of Germany’s Next Topmodel, while Barbara Schöneberger and Hans Sigl bring glamour and great entertainment to Starnacht am Wörthersee. Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld takes audiences behind closed doors in Herrschaftszeiten – Johann-Philipps Schlossbesuche, while Verona Pooth brings a playful touch to Villa der Versuchung. Eva Pölzl combines information and entertainment in her unmistakable style on Guten Morgen Österreich. And when Joko & Klaas compete with Ein sehr gutes Quiz (mit hoher Gewinnsumme), one thing is guaranteed: surprises, quick-witted duels and top-class entertainment.
Journalism, Entertainment and Memorable TV Moments
In the Information/Journalism category, the public can choose between Stefan Lenglinger for ORF ZIB/social, Gundula Geiginger for Puls 4/Breaking Media, Simone Stribl for ORF Sommergespräche, ZIB and Pressestunde, and Katrin Prähauser for ServusTV/Links.Rechts.Mitte.
The Aufgefallen (“Standout”) category brings together personalities and events that attracted particular attention over the past year. The nominees are Melissa Naschenweng for her move from music into acting in Herzklang; Die Toten Hosen with Die Toten Hosen: Das Letzte Album; Mirjam Weichselbraun for Universum – Die Show; OPUS with Live is Life at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final; Hansa, Hiller and Pizzera for Hawi D’Ehre; and Patrick Budgen for his journey from breakfast television to becoming an author, as well as his sensitive interviews for Hinter den Schlagzeilen.
Sporting Highlights as ROMY Moments
Exceptional sporting moments also take centre stage at this year’s KURIER ROMY. The nominees for Sports TV Moment of the Year are Janine Flock for winning Olympic gold in skeleton; Daniel Warmuth for his “Bist du deppert” remark at the FIFA World Cup; Lilli Tagger for her victory at the WTA tournament in Prague; and Marko Arnautović for his widely discussed comment during the World Cup qualifiers directed at the Federal President and concerning a public holiday.
ORF Once Again Provides Extensive Coverage of the KURIER ROMY
ORF Programme Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz: “The ROMY represents the diversity, innovative strength and quality of Austria’s film, television and media industry. As an important industry platform, it creates visibility for creative excellence both in front of and behind the camera, strengthens Austria as a creative hub and at the same time highlights the close and successful collaboration across the German-speaking world. Through the public vote, these achievements are also judged directly where they have their greatest impact: by the people who engage with this content every day.”
ORF will once again broadcast the KURIER ROMY Gala on a slightly delayed live basis on ORF 2 and ORF ON, while also providing extensive coverage of the glamorous event across its programming.
Among the highlights, Fanny Stapf will present ROMY 2026 – Promis, Partys, Preise on ORF 1 on 30 November 2026 at 10.00 pm, taking viewers through a special ROMY weekend in Kitzbühel and showcasing highlights surrounding Austria’s coveted film and television award. The programme will cover everything from the presentation of the industry awards and the Kitzbühel Film Festival to the KURIER ROMY Gala itself.
Cooperation with the Kitzbühel Film Festival
The renewed cooperation with the Kitzbühel Film Festival, which takes place from 24 to 28 November 2026, marks another highlight for the Austrian and international film industry. As in the previous year, the festival’s outstanding films will be honoured as part of the KURIER industry event in Kitzbühel.
Festival Director Markus Mörth: “We are delighted to raise the curtain for the second time on our successful partnership with the KURIER ROMY. The KURIER industry event provides an appropriate setting for the award-winning filmmakers while also creating space for encounters, fresh inspiration and lasting professional connections. Together, we are placing an even stronger spotlight on the diversity and quality of Austrian and international cinema. The collaboration with the KURIER ROMY strengthens the Kitzbühel Film Festival’s focus on supporting emerging talent and provides young creatives with an outstanding platform for exchanging ideas with established industry figures.”
For further information, please visit kitzbuehel.com.