Australians in Film has opened applications for the ninth annual Heath Ledger Scholarship.
Established in memory of Ledger, the prize is awarded to an emerging Aussie actor between aged between 18-35 years. The recipient will receive US$10,000 and two return airfares to LA.
Last year's winner, Ashleigh Cummings stars in the upcoming Kiwi feature Pork Pie, distributed by StudioCanal later this year.
Other past winners include Anna McGahan, set to star in Foxtel’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, Ryan Corr (Mary Magdalene, The Water Diviner, Holding the Man), James Mackay (The Dressmaker, Hacksaw Ridge, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) and Bella Heathcote (Fifty Shades Darker, Dark Shadows, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).
AiF board member and Heath’s sister Kate Ledger said the scholarship was close to the heart.
“Seeing the struggles that Heath went through in making that transition with his international career and knowing the generosity of spirit he always showed, it’s really important to us that we continue the legacy that started really in an unofficial way with Heath helping out his fellow Aussie actors,” she said.
AiF President Kate Marks said the scholarship has become recognised as an indicator of emerging acting talent.
“Each year the judges are looking for a unique quality in an Australian actor who has the potential for real career longevity not just at home in Australia but internationally.”
Benefactors to the program include the Ledger family, Michelle Williams, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Rose Byrne, Vince Vaughn, Liam Hemsworth, Alex O'Loughlin, Deborra-Lee Furness, Phillip Noyce, Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gregor Jordan, Nicole Kidman and The Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Applications will close on Ledger’s birthday, April 4. Apply here.