Sebastian Sero Announced As The Recipient Of 2026 AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call

AACTA has announced Sebastian Sero as the recipient of the 2026 AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call, recognising him as one of Australia’s most promising emerging actors. Having already shared the screen with Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda, Sero is quickly establishing himself as a rising talent to watch.

Presented in partnership with Casting Networks®, Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) and supported by AAFTA and Screenwise, AACTA Young Stars continues to uncover emerging performers from across the country, offering unparalleled access to industry decision-makers and career-defining opportunities. Sero was selected from an outstanding group of finalists following a highly competitive process that attracted submissions from across the country.

This year’s top ten finalists were:                   

• Asha O'Connell

• Chaydon Jay

• Dashiell Candido

• Eloise Rothfield

• Evelyn Grace

• Naima Gerald

• Nina Gallas

• Sean Goh

• Sebastian Sero

• Taylor Oliver

The finalists and winner were selected by an esteemed judging panel led by internationally renowned casting director Sarah Finn (Black Panther), Thea McLeod (Neighbours), Anousha Zarkesh (Kangaroo) and Nikki Barrett (Elvis), with guest judges Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things) and Kartanya Maynard (Heartbreak High, 2025 AACTA Brian Walsh Award winner) offering additional insight drawn from their own breakout careers.

Sebastian Sero will receive a career-launching package, including:

• A $10,000 Flight Centre voucher 

• $2,500 in travel support to the United States, where they’ll meet with a renowned international Casting Director and network with industry leaders.

• The opportunity to participate in an acting course at the American Arts Film & Television Academy (AAFTA) in Los Angeles. 

• The chance to connect with top Australian Casting Directors.

• One year-long access to The Studio by Casting Networks in Sydney.

Now in its third year, AACTA Young Stars has quickly become a key platform for discovering new performers, offering aspiring actors across Australia a unique opportunity to be seen by the industry and take the first steps toward a professional screen career.

Earlier this year, the top 50 finalists were invited to the AACTA Festival at HOTA on the Gold Coast, where they participated in a series of professional development workshops and industry sessions. The program provided rare access to leading casting directors and included insights from guest judge Dacre Montgomery, who offered tips and advice on how to navigate the industry as a young actor and reflected on his breakout role in the hit series Stranger Things.Each finalist received a six-month Casting Networks Premium membership, along with professional headshots captured at the Casting Networks pop-up studio during AACTA Festival. 

Previous recipients Mia Foran and Joe Bird also attended this year’s celebrations, joining both the festival and the 2026 AACTA Awards Industry Gala, where they presented on stage to a room of leading screen industry professionals.

Ivan Vukusic, Awards and Industry Development Manager at AACTA said “Congratulations to Sebastian Sero, a young actor on a rapid rise and such a deserving winner of this year’s Young Stars initiative. It really was another incredible field that speaks to the amazing young talent we have, particularly our amazing Top 10 who should all very much be on the radar of casting directors and producers everywhere. A big thank you as always to our head judges Thea, Anousha and Nikki, and our partners at Casting Networks, CGA and Screenwise. An honour to have also included the renowned Sarah Finn on this year’s panel as well as the incredibly talented and generous Kartanya Maynard, and Dacre Montgomery who spent so much time talking to the kids and giving them such sage advice at the AACTA Festival Young Stars workshop”. 

“The level of talent we saw this year was absolutely incredible. From meeting our Top 50 young actors, to now celebrating our Top 10 and announcing this year’s winner, Sebastian Sero, congratulations, we are so excited for your journey in the entertainment industry. It has been so wonderful to witness the amazing emerging talent we have here in Australia. Each of these young actors brought something unique, brave and authentic to the process, and choosing a winner from such an extraordinary group was no easy task. And to every young actor who submitted this year, it was brilliant to see your work, your passion and your courage in putting yourselves forward. You should all feel incredibly proud.” said Thea McLeod, President of the Casting Guild of Australia.

Manager Client Success at Casting Networks, Rachel Mohi stated “Casting Networks is thrilled to celebrate another phenomenal year of the AACTA Young Stars. It has been a privilege to support this initiative in its third year as it continues to spotlight the next generation of Australian screen talent.

Our sincere gratitude goes to the esteemed judging panel—Thea McLeod, Anousha Zarkesh, Nikki Barrett, and Sarah Finn—for their incredible generosity and expertise. This program simply would not be possible without their dedication.

A massive congratulations to the wonderfully talented Sebastian Sero on being named this year’s recipient! We also celebrate the incredible Top 10 finalists and the Top 50 who joined us at the AACTA Festival. Supporting the workshops with these young actors was truly inspiring; the future of Australian talent is undeniably bright.”

"At Screenwise we are incredibly proud to support initiatives like AACTA Young Stars that spotlight the next generation of Australian screen talent.  Programmes like this give young actors the opportunity to be seen by the industry and begin building meaningful careers. Congratulations to Sebastian Sero and all of the finalists - the future of Australian Cinema and Television is clearly in very exciting hands” said Denise Roberts, CEO & Principal Director of Screenwise.