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Los Angeles-based Australians in Film (AiF), the preeminent organization for expatriate Australians in the entertainment industry, announced today that applications and guidelines for the prestigious second annual Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship (HLS) are now available online at www.australiansinfilm.org. The scholarship has expanded, and will offer increased benefits and two runner-up scholarships, in addition to the winners’ scholarship package.
The annual Australians in Film 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 many of Heath’s friends. The 2009 HLS received worldwide media attention and enormous recognition for its first beneficiary.
Sally Bell, Heath Ledger’s mother, speaking on behalf of the family regarding the second scholarship launch," We are honoured and proud to know that the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship continues to be so well supported and respected within the Industry. "
The primary scholarship will be awarded to an emerging Australian actor, for up to USD$10,000, a QANTAS roundtrip ticket from Australia, and a SHOWCAST VIP Package to pursue their career in the United States. Two runners up will each receive a QANTAS roundtrip ticket from Australia plus a SHOWCAST VIP Package. Applications will be accepted from October 5th – November 30th, 2009. Beneficiaries will be announced in Hollywood to coincide with the 82nd Oscars© in March, 2010, stated AiF and HLS chair Susie Dobson.
Dobson says, “We are gratified by the support and attention the scholarship has garnered to date, but most importantly we are pleased to be able to continue the generous spirit and acknowledge the enormous talent of Heath Ledger.”
The winner of the 2009 inaugural HLS Oliver Ackland said, “A scholarship in Heath's name is always going to get attention, he was a magnetic, unique artist. Being in this situation compels a sense of fearlessness in me. It is an honor to be the first guy in this situation.”
The increased benefits, particularly the new major sponsorship by SHOWCAST, Australia’s leading and most respected casting service, and their partner Breakdown Services, LA will give incredible visibility to the winners to casting agents, actors agents and entertainment industry decision makers in Australia and the US.
Last year’s benefactors included Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Furness, Michelle Williams, Phil Noyce, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. Judges included film director Gregor Jordan and Rachel Griffiths. Judges and further benefactors for 2010 will be announced in December 2009.
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. Australians in Film Ambassadors include Australian Oscar-winning actors Cate Blanchett (The Aviator 2005), Nicole Kidman (The Hours, 2002), Russell Crowe (Gladiator, 2000) and Geoffrey Rush (Shine, 1996), Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson (Braveheart 1995, The Passion of the Christ, 2004) and 30 other internationally known stars and film-makers including Hugh Jackman, Fred Schepisi and Naomi Watts. 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.
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