Young Stars National Youth Casting Call Top 13 Finalists Announced

2025 AACTA Young Stars National Youth Casting Call Finalists Announced 

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), in collaboration with Casting Networks® and the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA), today announce the top 13 finalists for AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call. This nationwide initiative is dedicated to uncovering Australia’s next generation of acting talent and providing real opportunities to help young performers take the next step in their careers.

47 out of the top 50 finalists traveled to the Gold Coast to participate in exclusive workshops with the esteemed judges: international casting directors Thea McLeod, Anousha Zarkesh, and Nikki Barrett.The workshops were held at AACTA Festival, Australia's largest celebration of the screen industry. The event was filled with energy and excitement as these talented young actors honed their craft, learned from industry experts, and built valuable connections. The top finalists were encouraged to explore the incredible events and offerings at the AACTA Festival, where they enjoyed the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in all things film and television and network with some of Australia’s finest screen practitioners!

Following the workshops, 10 finalists were set to be chosen, but this year’s entrants showcased an incredible breadth of talent, the judging panel extended the selection to 13 finalists, recognising the outstanding potential of the finalists. 

Congratulations to the following finalists:

A final recipient will now will be selected by a judging panel consisting of Australia’s top Casting Directors, led by Thea McLeod (Neighbours, Better Man, Measure For Measure, Pawno), Anousha Zarkesh (The New Boy, Mystery Road, Total Control, Preppers), Nikki Barrett (Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Talk to Me, The Power of the Dog, The Babadook), and international Casting Director Nina Gold (The Crown, Baby Reindeer).

The final recipient will receive a $10,000 Flight Centre voucher and $2,500 in cash travel support to fly to the United States. There, they will have the unique opportunity to meet with a renowned international Casting Director, network with key industry professionals, and participate in a weeklong workshop at the prestigious American Arts Film TV Academy Additionally, the winner will gain access to The Studio by Casting Networks in Sydney for one year, with opportunities to meet with Australian-based Casting Directors and Agents.

2024 AACTA Young Stars recipient, Mia Foran, has since gone on to secure a role in long-standing Australian drama series, Neighbours. Mia is currently shooting Neighbours, playing the ongoing guest role of Saskia Ramsay, who is the Daughter of Shane Ramsay, played by Peter O'Brien.

AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic said “Such was the calibre of this year’s field we were left with no choice but to extend the shortlist this year, so congratulations to the 2025 Young Stars Top 13 finalists! Each of these young actors not only exemplifies the talent and determination that’s needed to forge a successful career, they also each possess a positivity and energy that makes them a joy to work with. My thanks to our partners at the CGA and Casting Networks, and to the incredible panel of mentor judges. We look forward to watching the development of each of our finalists careers, and to the announcement of this year’s ultimate recipient of the Young Stars prize very soon.”

Thea McLeod President of CGA said "Massive congratulations to our Top 13 of 2025! This year’s talent has been truly outstanding and every single actor in our Top 50 should feel incredibly proud to have made it this far. The level of skill, passion, and dedication we’ve seen has been remarkable, making it a very tough decision for our judges and ambassadors.

We are thrilled to celebrate our Top 13 and recognise the hard work, talent and determination they have demonstrated. This is a special moment, and we want to honour each of them as they take their next step. We know they all have bright futures ahead and we can’t wait to watch their journeys unfold.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated this year. Your passion and commitment continue to inspire us, and we have no doubt we’ll see extraordinary things from each of you!"

Ryan Hicks, Senior Manager Business Development at Casting Networks said “Casting Networks is proud to have been part of another year 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.

Congratulations to all who participated. 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.”