Josh Hogan and Ned Beckley Dominate 2026 Screen Music Awards
Josh Hogan and Ned Beckley won all four categories they were nominated for at the 2026 Screen Music Awards in Brisbane, recognising their work on the ABC children’s series *Tales from Outer Suburbia*. Their success came as the Australian screen music community used the ceremony to highlight concerns about proposed copyright changes that could allow AI companies to train on creative work without permission.
The pair won awards for children’s programming, an opening title theme, a soundtrack album and an original song, which they composed with Joni Hogan. Adam Gock and Dinesh Wicks also collected multiple awards, including their 12th win as most performed screen composers in Australia; Helena Czajka won for documentary music, and Finn Clarke was named emerging screen composer of the year. The annual event recognises work across 16 categories, and attendees wore “human made” badges as speakers argued that AI should not replace artists’ experience or the right to seek payment for their work.
In short
- Josh Hogan and Ned Beckley won all four of their nominated awards.
- Their work on *Tales from Outer Suburbia* earned four honours.
- Speakers raised concerns about AI training and copyright reform.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
AI companies should need permission to train on creative work because composers’ music embodies skill, experience and investment. Requiring consent and payment would protect creators’ livelihoods and give them a say in how their work is used, while encouraging AI development that respects creative rights.
The case against
Allowing AI training on copyrighted work without individual permission could support useful innovation and avoid costly, impractical licensing across vast collections of material. Advocates of this approach could argue that training analyses patterns rather than simply republishing works, and that clear safeguards against substituting for or reproducing artists’ work may protect creators while preserving broad access to data.
Explained simply
The Screen Music Awards recognise music written for film, television and other screen productions in Australia. They cover a range of work, from documentary scores and opening themes to songs and music for children’s programmes.
Josh Hogan and Ned Beckley composed music for the ABC children’s series Tales from Outer Suburbia; Joni Hogan co-wrote its original song. The awards also recognise composers such as Adam Gock, Dinesh Wicks and Helena Czajka, whose work spans different kinds of screen productions.
The ceremony takes place amid debate about proposed copyright changes and artificial intelligence. Some artists are concerned the changes could let AI companies use creative work for training without permission, raising questions about consent, payment and the role of human experience in making music.