by FilmInk Staff
Acclaimed Hollywood casting director John Papsidera (Oppenheimer) joins the judging panel in the search for Australia’s next generation of screen talent.
AACTA is thrilled to announce the return of AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call, now in its fourth year. Presented in collaboration with Casting Networks®, the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) and supported by Screenwise, the nationwide initiative gives emerging young actors the opportunity to showcase their talent, connect with leading casting professionals and take an important step towards a career on screen.
Young performers from across Australia will be invited to submit a self-tape showcasing their acting ability, with auditions reviewed by a panel of leading Australian casting directors and industry professionals.
The selection process will be overseen by a panel of leading casting directors, with Thea McLeod (Neighbours), Anousha Zarkesh (Kangaroo, Treasure and Dirt) and Nikki Barrett (Bring Her Back, Elvis) returning as judges for a third year, bringing a wealth of casting expertise.
They will be joined by acclaimed Hollywood casting director John Papsidera, whose extensive film credits include The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar, Memento, Jurassic World, The Suicide Squad and Superman. With experience casting some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, Papsidera brings an international perspective to the search for Australia’s next generation of screen talent.
“I am excited and grateful to be a part of this year’s panel for AACTA Young Stars Youth competition. Discovering emerging talent and nurturing their careers from the beginning is such an important opportunity for both the actors and entertainment professionals alike. It’s an honor to be included” – John Papsidera CSA
Additional guest judges will be announced soon.
Since launching, AACTA Young Stars has already helped introduce a new generation of Australian performers to the industry, with previous recipients going on to secure roles in major Australian and international productions.
This year’s recipient, Sebastian Sero, starred in Anaconda, starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd. 2025 recipient Joe Bird has continued his rise with roles in the acclaimed horror film Leviticus and Warwick Thornton’s Wolfram. The inaugural AACTA Young Stars recipient, Mia Foran, went on to secure a recurring role in Neighbours. Their achievements highlight the career pathways the initiative aims to create, providing emerging performers with access to industry professionals, practical development opportunities and valuable connections.
Following the national audition process, 50 finalists will be selected and invited to attend AACTA Festival at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast. There, they will participate in exclusive workshops, mentoring sessions and networking opportunities with leading casting directors and screen industry professionals from Australia and around the world.
The overall winner will receive an extraordinary career-launching package, including:
● A $10,000 Flight Centre voucher
● $2,500 in travel support to the United States, including the opportunity to meet with a renowned international casting director and connect with industry leaders
● Opportunities to connect with leading Australian casting directors
● One year of access to The Studio by Casting Networks in Sydney
● A complimentary six-month Casting Networks Premium membership for each finalist
● New professional headshots at the Casting Networks pop-up studio during AACTA Festival at HOTA on the Gold Coast
AACTA is once again calling on young actors from across the country to step in front of the camera and show Australia what they can do.
AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic said, “It’s always rewarding to see the careers this initiative has helped launch, and we are looking forward to adding to that list this year. We’re delighted to welcome John Papsideera to the panel this year, joining our incredible group of judges. Thanks as always to our partners Casting Networks, the Casting Guild of Australia , and Screenwise for their continued support. We can’t wait to find Australia’s next Young Star.”
Thea McLeod – CSA, CGA | President, Casting Guild of Australia said, “Partnering with AACTA and Casting Networks on this wonderful initiative gives young Australian talent an extraordinary opportunity to connect with some of the most respected casting directors. I’m looking forward to collaborating with my fellow judging panel members, Nikki Barrett, Anousha Zarkesh and John Papsidera, to discover and support Australia’s rising talent.”
Rachel Mohi, Manager, Partnerships, Casting Networks said “Casting Networks is proud to continue our partnership with AACTA and the Casting Guild of Australia. This initiative is truly meaningful and has the potential to create life-changing opportunities for young performers as they take their first steps in this wonderful industry.”
Entries will open at 12pm AEST on Monday 28 September and will close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 23 October 2026. About AACTA The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) is a not-for-profit organisation, aimed at promoting, encouraging, and celebrating screen excellence in Australia. The Australian Academy is Australia’s only independent, member-based, national screen organisation that represents all differing screen crafts, from directors to producers, actors, writers, musicians, and a vast number of members in below-the-line roles. For nearly 70 years, the AACTA Awards (formerly the AFI Awards) have recognised and celebrated Australia’s highest achievements in film, television, short form, and digital content. The AACTA Awards are Australia’s most prestigious screen ceremony, embracing a diverse range of screen productions and recognising some of the biggest and brightest names in the industry. AACTA is committed to supporting and encouraging the next generation of industry talent through a variety of development initiatives aimed at providing opportunities and support for up-and-coming creatives. AACTA is governed by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), one of Australia’s longest-standing screen culture organisations.
The AACTA Awards are proudly presented by BINGE and supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and Screen Queensland, and Experience Gold Coast.
