AACTA has revealed the finalists for the second AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call, with 50 up-and-coming actors making it to the next round of the nationwide initiative.
Delivered in collaboration with Casting Networks® and the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA), the program offers a young Australian actor aged 13 to 18 a $10,000 Flight Centre voucher and $2,500 in travel support to the US, as well as the opportunity to meet with a renowned international casting director, network with industry leaders, and participate in an acting course at the AAFTA in LA.
A selection panel including casting directors Thea McLeod, Anousha Zarkesh, and Nikki Barrett was tasked with choosing the top 50, who will be invited to next month’s AACTA Festival on the Gold Coast, where they will participate in workshops and mentorship from top national and international casting directors. They will then showcase their talent in front of an esteemed panel of judges, who will determine the winner.
McLeod congratulated this year’s finalists while also offering some words of encouragement for those who missed out.
“It’s been such an honour to witness the incredible talent on display,” she said.
“Watching so many fresh and amazingly talented young actors from all corners of the country has been truly inspiring and fills us with excitement for the future of our entertainment industry.
“To those who didn’t make the top 50 this year—keep going! Perseverance is everything, and this platform is a fantastic way to showcase your ability.”
AACTA awards and industry development manager Ivan Vukusic was pleased to welcome “another amazing lineup of young actors” to the program.
“I’m always impressed by the skills and confidence shown by Australia’s young creative talent discovered through this initiative guided by the expertise of the CGA and Casting networks, and I’d encourage producers and casting directors to seriously take note of this year’s cohort,” he said.
This year’s AACTA Young Stars finalists are as follows:
Aadhya Karthik
Aimee Bah
Allegra Di Lallo
Asha O’Connell
Audrey Salinas
Ava Caryofyllis
Beau-Mana
Benjamin Narkle
Carla Castriotta
Charlie Vitoli
Charlotte Gray
Chloe Delle-Vedove
Chloe Johnston
Cooper Browne
Daisy Axon
Eadan McGuinness
Elaine King
Eloise Rothfield
Eva (A) Grados
Finnian James
Franklin Osita-Nwankwo
Hannah Stirling
Heidi Taylor
Imi Mbedla
Jacob Denzil Narkle
Jake Neale
Jayden Pope
Jesse Grant
Joe Bird
Johnathon Montgomery
Kai Baker
Knox Gibson
Kyra Harlan
Liv Jacobson
Logan Harlan
Maia Grgic
Max Roth
Mia Le Vieux
Mischa Heywood
Neha Jimmy
Nyah Le
Riley Max Stiles
Sarah Muyunga
Tahlia Clohessy
Taya Porter
Taylan Gogan
Uma Dumais
Vincent Miller
Willow Speers
Zoë Min O’Callaghan