AFDA is proud to celebrate the continued international success of alumnus Brendan Barnes, who recently won the prestigious Gold Tripod Award for Drama Series under $1 Million at the 2026 National Awards for Cinematography for his outstanding work on the GO! series.
The awards ceremony, hosted by the Australian Cinematographers Society, took place at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide on 2 May 2026, bringing together some of the industry’s most accomplished cinematographers and visual storytellers.
Adding to this remarkable achievement is the fact that the series was directed by fellow AFDA alumnus Tristan Holmes, highlighting yet another successful collaboration between AFDA graduates making waves on the global stage.
Produced for Netflix, GO! has earned international attention for its compelling storytelling, dynamic performances, and striking visual language. Barnes’ award-winning cinematography played a pivotal role in shaping the emotional intensity and cinematic quality of the series, demonstrating the calibre of creative talent emerging from AFDA.
This achievement reflects AFDA’s continued commitment to developing globally competitive filmmakers, cinematographers, and storytellers who contribute meaningfully to the international film and television industry. From South Africa to some of the world’s biggest streaming platforms and award stages, AFDA alumni continue to showcase the power of African creativity and innovation.
AFDA congratulates Brendan Barnes and Tristan Holmes on this exceptional accomplishment and celebrates their contribution to excellence in contemporary screen storytelling.