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Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship 2012
Applications close on March 15, Catherine Hardwicke & Donna Isaacson to judge submissions. Prize Package Increased.
Los Angeles, Calif. – Applications close March 15, 2012 for the prestigious fourth annual Australians in Film (AiF) HEATH LEDGER SCHOLARSHIP (HLS). Renowned Hollywood director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Lords of Dogtown and Thirteen) and respected casting director Donna Isaacson (127 Hours, Date Night) have joined the 2012 judging panel, and a 10-day trip around California has been added to the winner’s prize package. The Scholarship is open to any emerging Australian actor who wants to further their career and training in the US.
Applications will be available until March 15th, 2012 at www.australiansinfilm.org. The winning recipient will be announced at the AiF’s annual Breakthrough Awards in Los Angeles later this year.
The recipient of the primary scholarship will receive USD$10,000 in cash, a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles flying Australians in Film’s exclusive airline partner Virgin Australia, a one-year Scholarship to Stella Adler Acting School in LA, a ten-day trip for two around California from Visit California, and a Showcast & Breakdown Services VIP casting package. Two runners up will each receive a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles courtesy of Virgin Australia plus a Showcast VIP casting package. Ten finalists, who will be announced in April 2012, will each receive a Quickflix annual subscription.
Previous recipients of the Scholarship are Oliver Ackland (The Slap, Cloudstreet, Wasted on the Young), Bella Heathcote, who landed Dark Shadows starring Johnny Dep after her win; and Ryan Corr, (Not Suitable for Children).
Bella Heatcote says of her 2010 Scholarship "Winning the scholarship was the best possible way to start my career in LA. It gave me the incentive to come to LA, a start-up fund to sustain me, and a foot in-the-door in regards to meetings with industry professionals. I’d encourage any actor out there to apply."
The Heath Ledger Scholarship is named in honor of Ledger who was an Ambassador for AiF before his untimely death in January 2008 and has the support of the Ledger family and friends.
Past judges have included actors Jude Law, Rachel Griffiths, Jason Isaacs and Frances O’Connor, film director Gregor Jordan, talent agent Steve Alexander, and casting agents Ann Fay, John Papsidera, and April Webster.
Benefactors include Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Furness, Michelle Williams, Phil Noyce, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.
Applications and complete scholarship guidelines are available on www.australiansinfilm.org. To contribute financially, please contact hls@australiansinfilm.org.
About Australians in Film
Founded in May 2001, to celebrate and support Australian film and TV makers and their work, Los Angeles based non-profit Australians in Film has held over 100 screenings, premieres and special events and currently has over 500 members. In 2008 Australians in Film established the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship in honor of the late actor who was an ambassador of the group. For further information please visit www.australiansinfilm.org.
Australians in Film 2012 Heath Ledger Scholarship is sponsored by: Virgin Australia, Visit California, Stella Adler Acting and Theatre, Quickflix and Showcast, with Breakdown Services. AiF annual sponsors are Virgin Australia, Brand Australia, Stacey Testro International, Ausfilm, Protea Group International, and Getty Images.
About Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia is proud to be the Presenting Partner and exclusive airline of Australians in Film. Flying non-stop between Los Angeles and Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Virgin Australia offers 33 lie-flat beds in International Business, 40 all-leather International Premium Economy seats and 288 International Economy seats – the widest across the Pacific. Virgin Australia also offers attentive in-flight service, two in-flight boutique bars, gourmet meals, generous legroom, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, and unique mood lighting. Once you’ve landed Down Under, Virgin Australia can fly you to more than 50 destinations within Australia and New Zealand. For more information on Virgin Australia, please visit www.virginaustralia.com.
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