By Travis Johnson
Australians in Film today revealed eight new judges who will help select the recipient of the 10th anniversary Heath Ledger Scholarship, which offers financial assistance and additional support for an emerging Australian actor attempting to break into Hollywood or train internationally.
Rose Byrne (Peter Rabbit, Bridesmaids), Matt Damon (The Martian, The Bourne Identity), Naomi Watts (Birdman, The Impossible), Australian director Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, Ned Kelly), U.S. producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers, Deepwater Horizon, RED), television director Jeremy Podeswa (The Handmaid’s Tale, Game of Thrones), Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki (The Kettering Incident, Breath) and casting director Carmen Cuba (Stranger Things, Alien: Covenant) join previously announced judges Kirsty McGregor, Amanda Mitchell, Jason Wood, Barbara McCarthy, plus Ann Fay, Patron of the HLS.
Established in 2008 in memory of Australian actor and AiF ambassador Heath Ledger, the scholarship is open to all young and emerging Australian actors 18-35 years old. $280,000 in scholarship prizes have been awarded to date.
Previous winners include Mojean Aria, who is starring opposite Rachel Griffiths in the SBS upcoming crime thriller Dead Lucky, and Travis Fimmel in Danger Close; Ashleigh Cummings, who is starring opposite Ansel Elgort and Nicole Kidman in The Goldfinch; Cody Fern, star of Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story: Versace and Bella Heathcote, the lead in the new Ridley Scott drama, Strange Angel.
Presented by Adelaide Hills winery Bird in Hand, this year’s scholarship package includes:
• US$10,000 towards a living allowance, rent and transport assistance in Los Angeles, supported by Screenwise – Australia’s Leading Film and TV School for Actors.
• Two round-trip Qantas economy airfares from Australia to Los Angeles
• Group Acting classes and personal coaching from Lisa Robertson Studio
• Movement and Voice classes with Kennedy Brown
• Dialect coaching with Joy Ellison
• Group acting classes from Nancy Banks Studio
• Group acting classes and personal coaching from Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad at Alexander Techworks
• Private acting classes from Gulu Monteiro
• Immigration services from Kate Raynor & Associates
• Reel editing by Top LA editor Darwin Serink
• Headshot Sessions from Sally Flegg Photography
• Hair and Makeup styling for headshot sessions by Sophia Lee
• Gym classes from Training Mate
• Dinner + Medallion from EP & LP
• Hair Styling by Hello Darling Salon
• Lifetime AiF membership, which includes access to the creative workspaces, Charlie’s at Raleigh Studios, including invitations to exclusive AiF Events such as The Australian Oscar and Emmy Nominees Reception
• General meeting introductions to Hollywood Casting Directors
• Mentoring by leading actors working in Hollywood
Byrne recalled, “Heath and I met as young 18 year old actors in Sydney on Two Hands. He supported me so much in LA with his lovely spirit, always giving me a place to stay, always getting me into rooms to audition. I’m delighted to be part of a scholarship that honours this generosity, by giving young actors an opportunity to begin and build their careers. I’m thrilled to be working with the HLS team to help keep his legacy alive, for this special 10 year anniversary.”
Kate Ledger, Heath’s sister and AiF Board member, said “We have been absolutely thrilled with the amount of applications for this year’s scholarship. Some of Heath’s dearest friends and work colleagues are a part of the judging committee this year, and along with several of the top casting directors also included, it is guaranteed that every applicant will be seen by some of the best in the business.”
Entries close on Thursday, June 21, at 6pm (PDT)| Friday 22nd June at 11am (AEST)at 11am (AEST). Apply here.
