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Australians in Film Heath Ledger scholarship finalists announced

Press release from Australians in Film.

AUSTRALIANS in FILM (AiF) have announced the names of the 13 talented young Australian actors who are finalists for this years prestigious 4th Annual AUSTRALIANS IN FILM HEATH LEDGER SCHOLARSHIP.

The finalists are; Aaron Jakubenko (Pearcedale, Victoria), Alycia Debnam-Carey (Sydney), Andrew Hazzard (Sydney), Anna McGahan (Sydney), Brett Stiller (Los Angeles), Kenji Fitzgerald (Sydney), Lachlan Buchanan (Los Angeles), Meegan Warner (Newcastle), Michael Sheasby (Sydney), Shari Lee Sebbens (Sydney), Talia Zucker (Melbourne), Tim Pocock (Sydney) and Will Howarth (Sydney).

Andrew Warne, president of Australians in Film says, “Year-after-year Australia is producing some of the world’s most exciting and emerging acting talent and this year’s finalists represent some of the best. Australians in Film and the Ledger family are incredibly proud to be able to help these thirteen young actors further their careers internationally.”


The winner and two runners up will be announced at the AIF’s annual Breakthrough Awards, which will be held at the Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 27.

The judges for this year’s Scholarship are; Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, Warner Bros Pictures President: Production Greg Silverman, Casting Director Donna Issacson (127 Hours, Date Night), Alexander Artists Group CEO Steve Alexander, (Heath Ledger’s US agent), ROAR manager Will Ward (Chris & Liam Hemsworth) and Australian based judges Ann Fay (Maura Fay Group casting agent) and Gregor Jordan (Ned Kelly).

The recipient of the Scholarship will receive USD$10,000 in cash, a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles, flying Virgin Australia, a one-year course at the 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 receive a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles, with Virgin Australia, plus a Showcast VIP casting package.

All finalists will receive a Quickflix annual subscription.

The AUSTRALIANS IN FILM HEATH LEDGER SCHOLARSHIP is named after the late actor, who was an Ambassador and supporter of AiF. Previous recipients have included Bella Heathcote, who will be seen in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, Ryan Corr (Packed to theRafters) and Oliver Ackland (The Slap).

Virgin Australia, Stella Adler Acting &Theatre, Quickflix and Showcast are sponsors of the 2012 scholarship, which has the support of the Ledger family and friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry.

For further information and photos please contact:

Peter Ritchie
PR Publicity – Los Angeles
1 213 448 9262/0413 602 337

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 thelate 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 inInternational 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.