In honor of Australians in Film Ambassador Heath Ledger a scholarship fund has been established to capture Heath’s generous spirit and serve our mission to help and celebrate Australian actors. The Australians in Film 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.

Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship Committee and Judges

Paula Paizes
Susie Dobson
Danielle Cooper
Gemma O’Neill
Rob Marsala
David Pratt
Michelle Day

If you are just safe about the choices you make, you don’t grow. ~ Heath Ledger

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Australian actor Heath Ledger’s final performance before he died of an accidental overdose in January 2008 nearly never made it to the big screen, US-born director Terry Gilliam said.

The film maker’s first thought when Ledger died in New York was to ditch The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which was only half finished.

But encouraged by people around him to continue, and helped by actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell who played Ledger’s character in three separate dream sequences, Gilliam eventually completed the movie.

To read the complete story please click here: www.reuters.com

Heath Ledger Scholarship Announces Judges and Benefactors Announces Judges and Benefactors

The Australians in Film (AiF) Heath Ledger Scholarship has named Oscar ® & Emmy nominated, Golden Globe winning actress Rachel Griffiths, Maura Fay Group casting agent Ann Fay, director Gregor Jordan, AiF vice president Paula Paizes and Steve Alexander of Atlas Entertainment to its panel of five judges. The announcement was made today by Susie Dobson, president of LA based non-profit, Australians in Film.

Benefactors of the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship include fellow actors Hugh Jackman and Deborra Lee Furness, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, and Michelle Williams. Branding Iron, Loeb & Loeb, Qantas, Showcast, and World Nomads are among the corporate donors.

Steve Alexander was Heath Ledger’s US agent, Ann Fay cast him in one of his earliest roles, Gregor Jordan directed him in two films and Rachel Griffiths costarred with Heath in “Ned Kelly”, directed by Jordan.

The inaugural 2009 scholarship of $10,000 plus return airfare from Australia will be awarded to one emerging Australian actor to pursue their career in the US. It is named for the late actor who was an ambassador and supporter of Australians in Film. The winner and finalists was announced in February 2009 in Los Angeles.

Last Thursday night, Oliver Ackland of Sydney became the inaugural recipient of a scholarship created in Ledger’s name with support from friends like Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts and Ledger’s former girlfriend, Michelle Williams.

Australia actor Damian Walshe-Howling, has just been cast as the main villain in Point Break Indo, a follow-up to the 1991 film, Point Break.

Walshe-Howling caught our eye in 2001 for his memorable role as Dean Masselos in ABC’s, Love Is A Four Letter Word.

Since then we have seen him in numerous Aussie drama’s like, The Secret Life of us, Blue Heelers and most recently the award winning Underbelly.

The actor not yet known by American audiences has feature film credits include Ned Kelly starring alongside Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom and Macbeth with Sam Worthington.

Point Break Indo is all set to now start production.

Last night at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles The 81st Annual Academy Awards saw Hollywood’s elite celebrating the biggest night in show business and with Australian actor Hugh Jackman as host, it was the most entertaining and engaging Oscars presentation to date!

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Sean Penn – Milk

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Kate Winslet – The Reader

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Penelope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Milk

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Simon Beaufoy – Slumdog Millionaire

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Wall-E

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR

Slumdog Millionaire

Visit the Oscars website for further information at: www.oscars.com

Late Australian actor Heath Ledger has won the posthumous award for best supporting actor for his role in The Dark Knight at the 81st Academy Awards.

The award was accepted by Ledger’s father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate, who insisted the night was a time for celebration.

“This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath’s quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here, his peers, within an industry he so loved,” said Mr Ledger.

“We proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda,” said Ledger’s sister, Kate.

The other nominee’s included,

Josh Brolin – Milk

Robert Downey Jnr – Tropic Thunder

Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt

Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road

Australia’s Sydney-based actor Oliver Ackland wins the inaugural Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship, out of 150 other hopefuls.

…The scholarship, including $US10,000 ($15,550) and Qantas flights between Australia and the US, was judged by a panel of Ledger’s close friends and colleagues, including Gregor Jordan, who directed Ledger in Two Hands and Ned Kelly, his US agent Steve Alexander, Ann Fay, who cast Ledger in his first TV series and Australian actress Rachel Griffiths.

…Celebrities and Ledger’s friends who did show their support were Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe and actors Jack Thompson, Melissa George, Rose Byrne, Jesse Spencer, Teresa Palmer and Monsters Ball director Marc Foster…AAP reports.

To read the complete article please visit the website at: www.watoday.com.au

THE HONOURS FOR OUTSTANDING FILM AND TELEVISION PERFORMANCES ARE

FILM

Cast in a Motion Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Male Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk

Female Actor in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep, Doubt

Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: The Dark Knight

TELEVISION

Ensemble in a Drama Series: Mad Men

Ensemble in a Comedy Series: 30 Rock

Male Actor in a Drama Series: Hugh Laurie, House

Female Actor in a Drama Series: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters

Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, John Adams

Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Laura Linney, John Adams

Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series: Heroes

It has been a year since Heath Ledger passed away January 22, 2008 aged 28, after suffering an accidental overdose of prescription medication in his Lower Manhattan apartment, New York City.

Nominations will be announced tomorrow for this years 81st Annual Academy Awards, taking place February 22, 2009, with Ledger being a favourite to win ‘best supporting actor’ at the Oscar ceremony.

A tribute to Heath, sent in by one of our readers…

A break through did come
As a light would be spun
Ethereal in being
Marked a momentous run

Iconic Heath Ledger
A star you appeared
Just a good Aussie bloke
With an acting career.