Australians in Film (AiF) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that serves the Australian community working in the film and television industry. It awards the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship to emerging Australian actors, as well as several other programs which help actors and filmmakers to develop their careers.
History
Australians in Film was founded in Los Angeles, California, in May 2001, to celebrate and support Australian film and TV makers and their work.[1]
In 2008, Australians in Film established the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship, named in honor of Australian actor Heath Ledger,[2] who was an ambassador of the group.
In 2012 the organization established an Annual Benefit Dinner to raise funds for scholarships and career development programs. The honorees at the first event included John Polson, Liam Hemsworth and Yvonne Strahovski. In 2013, Australians in Film launched the Orry-Kelly International Award for Australians who have achieved in the film and TV business overseas.[citation needed]
In 2015, Australians in Film announced that Foxtel will become the naming rights sponsor of the Breakthrough Awards.[citation needed]
AiF is also home to Charlie's, a creative co-working space and industry incubator founded in 2016 by Screen NSW, AFTRS, and Film Victoria (now VicScreen), named after Charlie Chaplin and originally intended as a "soft landing" for Australian professionals new to Hollywood. It and has grown and expanded since then, and is located at AiF headquarters in West Hollywood.[4]
Heath Ledger Scholarship
The Heath Ledger Scholarship includes a $US10,000 cash prize; a return economy flight to the US; and administrative and educational support for the actor's career.[5]
