2025 AACTA Young Stars National Youth Casting Call

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), in collaboration with Casting Networks®, Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) and Screenwise are thrilled to announce the return of AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call, now in its third year. 

AACTA Young Stars is dedicated to uncovering the next generation of Australian acting talent, offering young performers the chance to help them achieve their dreams. Australian residents aged between 13 and 18 years are invited to submit a video showcasing their performance talent for their chance to get in front of some of Australia’s leading Casting Directors. 

Submissions close 5pm AEDT Monday 13 October 2025. 

To submit to this project, a Casting Networks account is required. It is FREE to sign up. Please either sign up or login to submit.

Proudly supported by

The overall winner will receive a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help launch a career in the screen industry! Including a $10,000 Flight Centre voucher and $2500 cash in travel support to fly to the United States where they will have the opportunity to meet with a renowned International Casting Director, network with key industry practitioners and participate in an acting course at American Arts Film & Television Academy (AAFTA) in Los Angeles. They will also have access to The Studio by Casting Networks in Sydney for a full year and will have the chance to meet with both Australian-based Casting Directors!

The finalists will be invited to the home of the AACTA Awards, the Gold Coast, where they will have the chance to join workshops and receive mentorship from Australia’s top Casting Directors. Each finalist will also receive a complimentary six-month Casting Networks Premium membership, as well as the opportunity to get a headshot at the Casting Networks pop up studio at HOTA on the Gold Coast.

The top ten finalists will receive a complimentary twelve-month Casting Networks Premium membership.

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.

See full bios of our judges here.

Thea McLeod Casting Director for Neighbours, Better Man, Measure For Measure, Pawno	Anousha Zarkesh Casting Director for The New Boy, Mystery Road, Total Control, Preppers	Nikki Barrett Casting Director for Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Talk to Me, The Power of the Dog, The Babadook	Sarah Finn Casting Director for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.	Kartanya Maynard Actress in Heartbreak High, Deadloch, The Messenger, and Gold Diggers, and recipient of the 2025 AACTA Brian Walsh Award.	Dacre Montgomery  Actor in Stranger Things, Dead Man's Wire and Elvis

Entry is free and open to all Australian residents aged between 13 and 18 years. If you are under 18 years you will need a parent or legal guardian to assist with your entry. 

You can set up a FREE Casting Networks account to submit your entry. From there, choose a script from the MEDIA REQUEST and record a video of yourself reading that script. Once you have a take you're happy with, upload your video via your Casting Networks account. 

If you do not receive your MEDIA REQUEST within 2-3 days of completing the form, please check your spam folder and email support@castingnetworks.com. 

Information for Agents

If you have a Casting Networks account, this project will be visible in your account. If the project does not appear in your account or you need assistance setting up a Casting Networks account, please email support@castingnetworks.com.

AACTA Young Stars aims to identify exceptional, diverse, bright, young screen talent across Australia and provide tangible opportunities to help them realise their dream. To submit your casting call to AACTA Young Stars you must be

• An Australian resident;
• Aged between 13 and 18 years

For the full terms and conditions, click here.