Australians in Film

Australians in Film (AiF) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that serves the Australian community working in the film and television industry. It awards the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship to emerging Australian actors, as well as several other programs which help actors and filmmakers to develop their careers.

Australians in Film
Formation2001
TypeFilm and television industry organization
PurposePromotion of Australian filmmakers and performers in the United States
HeadquartersLos Angeles
Location
Region served
Los Angeles
Membership
600
Official language
English
President
Kate Marks
Websiteaustraliansinfilm.org/hls/

History

Australians in Film was founded in Los Angeles, California, in May 2001, to celebrate and support Australian film and TV makers and their work.[1]

In 2008, Australians in Film established the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship, named in honor of Australian actor Heath Ledger,[2] who was an ambassador of the group.

In 2012 the organization established an Annual Benefit Dinner to raise funds for scholarships and career development programs. The honorees at the first event included John Polson, Liam Hemsworth and Yvonne Strahovski. In 2013, Australians in Film launched the Orry-Kelly International Award for Australians who have achieved in the film and TV business overseas.

In 2015, Australians in Film announced that Foxtel will become the naming rights sponsor of the Breakthrough Awards.

Description

AiF is based at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, occupying a shared workspace known as Charlie's.[1]

As of May 2022 AiF has over 700 members, who included actors, filmmakers and people from the U.S. film industry.

Governance and funding

As of May 2022 producer Emma Cooper is chair of the board that oversees the organisation.[1]

AiF is supported by Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Film Victoria, AFTRS and the University of Melbourne (Victorian College of the Arts), as well as commercial partners including Ausfilm, Animal Logic, Bird in Hand winery, Yowie Chocolates, Penfolds and Raynor & Associates.[1]

Programs and awards

AiF runs a number of programs to help Australian actors and filmmakers to develop their careers, including the Heath Ledger Scholarship (for actors), Untapped (for emerging writers and directors); Gateway (for established writers and directors); Exchange (for producers);[2] Mentor LA, Animal Logic Entertainment Internship, and Charlie's Labs.[1]

Heath Ledger Scholarship

The Heath Ledger Scholarship includes a $US10,000 cash prize; a return economy flight to the US; and administrative and educational support for the actor's career.[3]

Winners include:

Breakthrough Award winners

International honorees

References
  1. "About". Australians in Film. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  2. "Programs". Australians in Film. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  3. "Finalists announced for 2021 Heath Ledger Scholarship". IF Magazine. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  4. (20 February 2009), Sydney-Bred Actor Wins Heath Ledger Scholarship. "Access Hollywood", Los Angeles
  5. (19 May 2010), AiF unveils winners. "IF", Sydney
  6. (09 June, 2011), Ryan Corr Gets Heath Ledger Scholarship, "Deadline", Los Angeles
  7. (29 June 2012), Legacy of Ledger for young star, Illawarra Mercury,Wollongong, p. 14
  8. "Heath Ledger Scholarship Award Given to Australian Actor James Mackay". The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. "Heath Ledger Scholarship Awarded to 'War Horse' Stage Actor Cody Fern". 13 June 2014.
  10. Slatter, Sean (28 January 2022). "Rahel Romahn wins Heath Ledger Scholarship for 2021". IF Magazine. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  11. (27 April 2010), Hemsworth, Kwanten take breakthrough awards, "ABC News", Australia
  12. (09 June 2011), Aussie actors Teresa Palmer and Joel Edgerton Pick up LA honours, "Adelaide Now", Adelaide
  13. (30 May 2012), Hemsworth and Strahovski to share award, "IF", Sydney
  14. "Australians in Film - 2013 Awards & Benefit Gala Dinner". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  15. "Australians in Film - 2014 Awards & Benefit Gala Dinner". Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  16. "Reese Witherspoon Honors Bruna Papandrea at Australians in Film Gala". Variety. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  17. "PR Newswire"
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