Press release from Australians in Film
Los Angeles-based Australians in Film (AiF), the preeminent organization for expatriate Australians in the entertainment industry, held it’s sixth annual Breakthrough Awards on May 13, 2010, and the second recipient of the AiF Heath Ledger Scholarship was announced at the same star-studded event.
Actors Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) were honored for their breakthrough work in international roles and Melbourne actress Bella Heathcote (Beneath Hill 60) was introduced by actor Colin Farrell as the second recipient of the scholarship created by AiF and named for his friend.
As the winner of the 2010 AiF Heath Ledger Scholarship – judged by Jude Law, Ann Fay, John Papsidera and Gregor Jordan from a pool of 100 extremely talented applicants – Bella Heathcote receives $10,000, a round-trip Qantas airfare from Australia and a Showcast/Breakdown Services VIP casting package.
The runners up, who will each receive roundtrip airfare on Qantas plus Showcast/Breakdown Services VIP casting package, are Adelaide Clemens, Eamon Farren & Craig Stott. Honorable mentions are awarded to Nathin Butler, Sebastian Gregory, Bianca Linton, Victoria Thaine, Morgan Wells and Henry Wells Nixon. All ten finalists will receive a Quickflix annual subscription.
The Breakthrough Awards was held poolside on the roof of Thompson Beverly Hills Hotel, attended by 200 guests including: Radha Mitchell, Alex O’Loughlin, Liam Hemsworth, Nora Zehetner, singer Delta Goodrem, Jamie Durie, and Nash Edgerton. Heath Ledger’s mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger flew in from Perth to represent his family and Master of Ceremonies was Australia’s award-winning talk show host Rove McManus.
Partnering with AiF for added glamour was Australia’s leading luxury accessories brand Oroton (whose stunning mesh clutch was carried by Heathcote on the night) with other event sponsors UGG Australia who created a popular UGG Oasis for guests, and Oakley. Guests enjoyed Moet & Chandon, Penfolds, Stoli and Jose Cuervo Platino beverages as well as In-N-Out Burgers, which have a devoted celebrity following.
The 2010 Breakthrough Award recipients were presented with AiF’s Golden Boomerang award as an acknowledgment of their achievements as Australia’s brightest emerging talents in Hollywood. Ryan Kwanten’s presenter was his True Blood co-star, Rutina Wesley. Anthony Hopkins sent a video message to introduce his Thor costar Chris Hemsworth and Marvel Studios co-president Kevin Feige was there in person to do the honors.
Previous AiF Breakthrough Award recipients include Sam Worthington, Mia Wasikowska, Isla Fisher, Abbie Cornish and Jesse Spencer.
As the winner of the 2010 AiF Heath Ledger Scholarship – judged by industry notables Jude Law, Ann Fay, John Papsidera, Gregor Jordan and Susie Dobson from a pool of 100 extremely talented applicants – Bella Heathcote receives $10,000, a round-trip Qantas airfare from Australia and a Showcast/Breakdown Services VIP casting package.
The runners up, who will each receive roundtrip airfare on Qantas plus Showcast/Breakdown Services VIP casting package, are Adelaide Clemens, Eamon Farren & Craig Stott. Honorable mentions are awarded to Nathin Butler, Sebastian Gregory, Morgan Griffin, Bianca Linton, Victoria Thaine, and Henry Wells Nixon. All ten finalists will receive a Quickflix annual subscription.
Scholarship Benefactors include Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Michele Williams and the Australian Film Institute (AFI).
Australians in Film is grateful for the support of the following sponsors: Annual Sponsors: Protea Group International, Qantas, CST Tax Advisors, Getty Images, AusFilm, Stacey Testro International, Loeb & Loeb. Event Sponsors: Oroton, UGG Australia, Oakley, Moet & Chandon, Heineken, Penfolds, Stoli and Thompson Beverly Hills. Scholarship Sponsors: Branding Iron Worldwide, Showcast, Quickflix and Qantas. Contributors to the Gift Bags, valued at over $200 each, included: Bloom, Envirosax, Gold Class Cinema’s, HBO, Luxe Beauty Team, Oroton, Starbucks, Vanity Fair and Zanerobe.