PRESS RELEASE
AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call returns for its second year, to discover the future stars of Australia’s acting industry with AACTA Young Stars ambassadors Chloe Hayden and Ngali Shaw.
In collaboration with Casting Networks® and the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA), AACTA is excited to relaunch this initiative and find the next generation of local talent.
AACTA Young Stars aims to find exceptional, diverse young screen talent across Australia, providing real opportunities to help them achieve their dreams. Australian residents aged 13 to 18 are invited to submit a video showcasing their performance skills for the chance to be seen by leading Casting Directors from Australia and internationally.
The finalists will be invited to the Gold Coast, where they will experience invaluable workshops and mentorship from top national and international Casting Directors, led by Thea McLeod (Neighbours, Better Man, Measure For Measure, Pawno), Anousha Zarkesh (The New Boy, Mystery Road, Total Control, Preppers), Nikki Barrett (Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Talk to Me, The Power of the Dog, The Babadook), and Nina Gold (Baby Reindeer, The Crown, Game of Thrones).
Each finalist will also receive a complimentary six-month Casting Networks Premium membership, as well as new headshots at the Casting Networks pop up studio as part of AACTA Festival at HOTA on the Gold Coast.
The overall winner will receive an extraordinary opportunity to launch their career in the screen industry! The prize package includes a $10,000 Flight Centre voucher and $2,500 in travel support to the United States, where they’ll meet with a renowned international Casting Director, network with industry leaders, and participate in an acting course at the American Arts Film & Television Academy (AAFTA) in Los Angeles. They’ll also gain year-long access to The Studio by Casting Networks in Sydney and have the chance to connect with top Australian Casting Directors.
2024 AACTA Young Stars Recipient, Mia Foran said of her experience “Winning the AACTA Young Stars award is one of the most significant milestones of my career. This award has helped enhance my recognition in the acting community. I had the privilege of traveling to Los Angeles, where I met two prominent Casting Directors in Hollywood, Sarah Finn and Leslie Litt.
Additionally, I spent two weeks participating in acting classes at the AAFTA Studio in West Hollywood, allowing me to collaborate with fellow like-minded actors and learn from seasoned instructors, which was valuable in developing my understanding of the ‘American style’ of acting and tapping into another side of my acting abilities.
A highlight of receiving this award was the chance to be acknowledged by some of Australia’s leading Casting Directors, including Thea McLeod. I also had the privilege of attending the Casting Networks studio in Sydney, which allowed me to enhance my portfolio through a photo shoot and receive valuable industry guidance. Big thanks to Young Stars for making this possible.”
Finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of an esteemed panel of judges which includes top international Casting Directors, as well as AACTA Young Stars ambassadors Chloe Hayden and Ngali Shaw.
Chloe won the 2022 AACTA Audience Choice Award for best new Actress for her role in Heartbreak High. She said of the initiative: “We have got the most incredible, magical pool of young talent in Australia; and I’m so excited to be working with AACTA ensuring kids of all neurotypes, from all places, from all backgrounds have the opportunity to be seen and truly reach their dreams”
Entries are now open via aacta.org. Submissions close at 5pm AEDT on Monday 18 November 2024.
AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic said “We discovered some incredible young talent last year and we’re really looking forward to meeting this year’s cohort and giving them the full AACTA Young Stars experience at AACTA Festival in February. We know that our young actor finalists gain so much from attending the workshops and working closely with our amazing panel of casting directors and judges, which this year sees the return of Thea McLeod, Anousha Zarkesh and Nikki Barrett, and the addition of famed US casting director Nina Gold, and the wonderfully talented actress Chloe Hayden and inaugural Brian Walsh Award winner Ngali Shaw. If you’re a young actor looking to build your profile both here and in the US, I highly recommend you giving it a go. It was an absolute pleasure to see the career acceleration of last year’s winner Mia Foran, and we look forward to finding Australia’s next Young Star again”
“Casting Networks is thrilled to continue our partnership with AACTA and the CGA on this exciting initiative, dedicated to nurturing Australia’s aspiring actors. Our commitment is to provide artists across Australia with a platform connecting them to impactful opportunities. This competition offers every entrant a unique opportunity to showcase their talent to the most influential Casting Directors and industry professionals working today. The prizes awarded to the finalists and the ultimate winner are invaluable to grow their acting careers further.” said Ryan Hicks from Casting Networks
Thea McLeod, the President of the CGA said “The Casting Guild of Australia, in collaboration with AACTA and Casting Networks, is thrilled to launch ‘AACTA Youth Stars’. This fantastic initiative opens up a world of possibilities for up-and-coming Australian actors. As Casting Directors, we are continuously driven by the prospect of unearthing fresh talent from all corners of our country. AACTA Youth Stars provides a remarkable stage for young actors to showcase their abilities and capture the attention of Casting Directors. By nurturing emerging talent in the entertainment industry, we believe this platform offers an exceptional opportunity for young actors to expand their horizons both in Australia and on the global stage.”
