2013 Heath Ledger Scholarship

In honor of Heath Ledger

Australians In Film is proud to present the 2013 Heath Ledger Scholarship Finalists.

Hannah Barlow

Elizabeth Blakemore

Laura Brent

David Coussins

Ashleigh Cummings

Georgia Flood

Geraldine Hakewill

Will Howarth

Reef Ireland

Kate Jenkinson

Andrew Hazzard

Andrew Lees

James Mackay

Bob Morley

Alex Williams

Congratulations to the finalists!


In memory of Australians in Film ambassador Heath Ledger, the scholarship fund has been established to capture Heath's generous spirit and serve our mission to help and celebrate Australian filmmakers.

The Heath Ledger Scholarship will provide talented Australian actors in the early stage of their careers the chance to travel to the US to further their training and international acting opportunities.

"Although reluctant to lend his name to anything commercial, we know Heath would be proud of his attachment to this scholarship," Kim Ledger said. "This scholarship in part does what Heath has done personally during the last 10 years and supported financially or in kind many friends, Australian actors, singers, directors or writers seeking to ply their talents in the USA."

"I am honored the Australian in Film Board and management team have invited me to consider the role of Patron for the Heath Ledger Scholarship. I humbly accept this responsibility. Making a start in entertainment can be a tough and unforgiving business in any country. I hope continuing this award with its consequential connections, offers the final recipient a little extra support in their pathway to success." - Statement released by Heath Ledger's father, Kim Ledger, Patron of the Heath Ledger Scholarship.

New Dates Announced on the 2013 Scholarship.


We are excited to update you with some important dates for the upcoming 2013 Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship. For this, our 5th year, we have made some changes to the process that we believe will benefit all applicants.

Last year the announcement of the winner and runners up was made at the inaugural Australians in Film Awards & Benefit Dinner, held on June 27th in Los Angeles. We plan to continue this schedule in 2013, so we are shortening the time between the deadline to apply and the notification of the finalists.

  • The applications is open from February 12 - April 7, 2013.
  • Finalists are announced on or before April 30, 2013.
  • The winner and runners up will be announced at the 2nd Annual Australians in Film Awards & Benefit Dinner on June 12, 2013.

We are so pleased the Heath Ledger Scholarship has continued to grow in stature thanks to the impressive work of our past recipients, Oliver Ackland, Bella Heathcote,Ryan Corr and Anna McGahan.

We are grateful for the continued the support of the Ledger family and Heath’s friends, our sponsors Virgin Australia, AusFilm, Showcast, Stella Adler Acting & Theatre, Los Angeles, Kate Raynor & Associates and Branding Iron Worldwide .

As in the past our 2013 judging panel will include prominent representatives from the entertainment industry including high profile actors, casting agents and industry executives. Past judges have included actors Jude Law, Rachel Griffiths, Jason Issacs and Frances O’Connor, film directors Gregor Jordan and Catherine Hardwicke, Warner Bros Pictures President of Production Greg Silverman, Casting Director Donna Issacson (127 Hours, Date Night, casting agents Ann Fay, John Papsidera, and April Webster and talent managers Will Ward and Steve Alexander.