Los Angeles-based Australians in Film (AiF), the preeminent organization for expatriate Australians in the entertainment industry, is holding its fourth annual Breakthrough Awards to honor up-and-coming Australian actresses Abbie Cornish (Stop Loss) and Mia Wasikowska (In Treatment) on June 5, 2008, it was announced today by Susie Dobson, president of AiF. As part of the organization’s program to support emerging talent from Australia, Dobson also announced that AiF has established the Heath Ledger Scholarship Fund which will be presented annually to a young Australia-based actor to help them pursue their dream in Hollywood. The first Scholarship recipient to receive a financial contribution from AiF will be announced in 2009.

The Heath Ledger Scholarship is named in honor of Ledger who was an Ambassador for AiF before his untimely death in January 2008 and has the full support of the Heath Ledger family.

“Australians in Film is pleased to recognize the efforts and talents of Australia’s newest faces who are already proving they are on their way to join the ranks of the high-profile Australian talent working in Hollywood,” comments Dobson. “We are also thrilled that we will be able to assist burgeoning Australian talent launch their career in the States to become potential future recipients of a Breakthrough Award.”

The Breakthrough Awards’ exclusive invitation-only evening will again be held poolside at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills and will be attended by 150 of Hollywood’s elite. The Master of Ceremonies will be Showtime Australia’s award-winning, Hollywood-based entertainment correspondent, Andrew Warne.

Each of the 2008 Breakthrough Award recipients will be presented with AiF’s Golden Boomerang award as an acknowledgment of their achievements as Australia’s brightest young talents emerging in Hollywood.

Abbie Cornish was first recognized in the U.S. for her award-winning starring role in the independent Australian film Somersault (2004) with Sam Worthington followed by Candy (2006) opposite Heath Ledger. Most recently Cornish was seen in Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth: the Golden Age with Cate Blanchett, Kimberly Peirce’s Stop Loss opposite Ryan Philippe and will soon be seen in Jane Campion’s upcoming Bright Star.

Mia Wasikowska first appeared in the Australian hit television series All Saints before appearing as a regular in the HBO psychotherapist drama In Treatment with Gabriel Byrne. Wasikowska will soon be seen in Edward Zwick’s Defiance alongside Daniel Craig, Liev Shreiber and Jamie Bell and is currently filming Mira Nair’s Amelia with Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.

About Australians in Film

Founded in May 2001, to celebrate and support the work of Australian film and TV makers, Los Angeles based Australians in Film has held nearly 100 screenings, premieres and special events and currently has over 500 members. Australians in Film Ambassadors include Australian Oscar-winning actors Cate Blanchett (The Aviator 2005), Nicole Kidman (The Hours, 2002), Russell Crowe (Gladiator, 2000) and Geoffrey Rush (Shine, 1996), Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson (Braveheart 1995, The Passion of the Christ, 2004) and 30 other internationally known stars and film-makers including Hugh Jackman, Fred Schepisi and Naomi Watts.

Australians in Film is proud to have the support of the Australian Government and to receive the support of Gold sponsors Avid, MacCorkindale Alonso & Holton, Tourism Australia, Qantas and Stacey Testro International. Silver sponsors are AUSFILM, Austrade, Cooronbong, Stage & Screen Travel Services and Tourism Queensland. Bronze sponsors are Loeb & Loeb, Penfolds and Rosemount Estate. AiF’s media partner is Getty Images. For further information please visit www.australiansinfilm.org.

Source: Business Wire