Top 10 Finalists for AACTA Young Stars National Youth Casting Call Announced

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) today announced the finalists for the inaugural AACTA Young Stars National Youth Casting Call in collaboration with Casting Networks® and the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA). The Australian-wide initiative aims to uncover the next acting talent and provide tangible opportunities to help the next generation of performers realise their dream.

The top 50 finalists determined late last year, were invited to attend the AACTA Festival which occurred across 4 days from February 8-11 at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast. Alongside workshops and mentoring opportunities, the young actors recorded their final casting tape from which the judges determined the top 10.

AACTA Young Stars Top 10

During their time at the AACTA Festival, each young finalist presented a scripted scene to a panel of Australian Casting judges including Thea McLeod (Neighbours, Better Man, Measure For Measure, Pawno), Nikki Barrett (Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Talk to Me, The Power of the Dog, The Babadook), and Anousha Zarkesh (The New Boy, Mystery Road, Total Control, Preppers). After receiving direction from the judges, they had the chance to incorporate this feedback during their second take, mirroring a genuine casting experience. Additionally, the panel conducted chat-to-camera recordings with each finalist, providing insights into their prior experiences as young actors. Participants also observed each other's performances, learning not only from the judges' direction and feedback but also from the work of their peers. Finalists also attended a Q&A session, asking the judges any questions they had about the industry and to delve deeper into the casting process. 

The recipient will be selected by the judging panel alongside Liz Mullane (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, King Kong, Mortal Engines), as well as AACTA Award winning actors Claudia Karvan and Mark Coles Smith. The winner will receive 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 a weeklong workshop at Howard Fine Acting Studio 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 and Agents. 

AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager Ivan Vukusic said, “In collaboration with Casting Networks® and the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA), the inaugural AACTA Young Stars National Youth Casting Call has unearthed really exceptional and exciting new talent. Our top 10 finalists showcase remarkable charisma and skill, and reflect the wealth of eager and diverse talent Australia wide. Congratulations to all the finalists for their incredible achievements, and we eagerly anticipate the bright futures of these emerging stars.” 

CGA President Thea McLeod said, "We were thrilled to meet the 50 remarkable finalists at the AACTA festival on the Gold Coast. The calibre of talent on display was nothing short of extraordinary and their combined skills showcase the abundant talent flourishing across Australia. It was a privilege for Nikki Barrett, Anousha Zarkesh and myself to collaborate with such a diverse group of exceptionally gifted young actors. Each of these actors demonstrated remarkable skill and charisma, making the task of identifying the finalists an immense challenge. We are very proud to present our top 10 AACTA Young Stars of 2024 and extend our heartfelt congratulations to all fifty finalists for their incredible achievements. We eagerly await the paths of these emerging stars in the entertainment industry and extend our sincere wishes for their ongoing success. The Casting Guild of Australia absolutely loved collaborating with AACTA and Casting Networks on this brilliant initiative that has given young performers an invaluable opportunity as well as a great resource for the CGA to discover talent across the country."

Casting Networks General Manager Ram Pitchumani said, “Casting Networks is proud to have been part of the Young Stars Competition. We extend our deepest appreciation to the judges for their invaluable contributions and a special heartfelt thank you to Thea for her exceptional work behind the scenes, which was instrumental to the event's success.

“The competition drew an impressive response, highlighting a wealth of talent among aspiring actors. The skill and potential of the 50 finalists were inspiring, and we are excited to see their careers develop on both Australian and international stages.

The winner is set to embark on an extraordinary journey, and we celebrate the prospect of their achievements. Casting Networks is dedicated to fostering emerging talent and with such a successful event behind us, we can't wait to see what next year's Young Stars Competition will bring.” 

The recipient of the inaugural AACTA Young Stars initiative will be announced on Thursday 29 February, 2024.