| Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship Committee and Judges
2010 Committee
Paula Paizes
Susie Dobson
Danielle Cooper
Gemma O’Neill
Rob Marsala
David Pratt
Michelle Day
2009 Judges
 Gregor Jordan's first short film, Swinger, won the 1995 Tropicana Short Film Festival before going on to win the Jury Prize at the International Cannes Film Festival Competition. After this Gregor wrote and directed an AFI nominated short film, Stitched, and directed several network television shows including Raw FM for ABC TV and The Confident Man for Bryan Brown's original Twisted Tales series.
In 1999, his debut feature film Two Hands premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to win five AFI Awards (including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay). His second feature Buffalo Soldiers starring Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glen and Anna Paquin, screened at many film festivals including Toronto, Edinburgh and Sundance and won best screenplay for Gregor at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.
In 2003, Gregor cast Heath Ledger, Geoffrey Rush, Rachel Griffiths, Naomi Watts and Orlando Bloom in his film Ned Kelly. It was selected for screening at many international film festivals most notably the 2003 Edinburgh Film Festival and was nominated for 8 AFI awards including best Director.
Gregor has recently completed a feature film version of Bret Easton Ellis' The Informers starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke and Winona Ryder. It will have its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.
He is currently in production on Unthinkable, a thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss and Michael Sheen.
 Steve Alexander is a producer at Atlas Entertainment, a production company with the
unique expertise in that it is equally comfortable producing Tentpole films such as this summer's
The Dark Knight and Get Smart, while never losing sight of its mission to make critically- acclaimed, independent films such as The Bank
Job. The Dark Knight has grossed nearly a billion dollars worldwide, becoming the second highest grossing film of all time.
Prior to joining Atlas, Alexander spent 10
years at CAA, where he represented many of the
world's leading actors
including Jeff
Bridges, Natalie
Portman, Johnny
Knoxville, Chow Yun-
Fat, Billy Bob
Thornton, Eddie
Izzard, Peter
Gallagher and Chad
Michael Murray.
Alexander began his
career working for
such Hollywood
heavyweights as Joel
Silver, before
becoming a producer.
He most notably produced the
cult hit Swimming with Sharks starring Kevin Spacey. From
there, Alexander joined CAA in
1997, signing a young Heath
Ledger among his first clients.
 Rachel Griffiths an Australian Golden Globe- and SAG Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-nominated film and television actress known primarily for her roles in movies and television. Among her many notable roles, she is best known for her portrayal of Brenda Chenowith in the TV series Six Feet Under (2001-2005) and Sarah Walker on the ABC primetime drama Brothers & Sisters (2006-present). Her breakthrough role as Rhoda in Muriel's Wedding brought her international acclaim, which she followed with parts in Jude, My Best Friends Wedding, Hilary & Jackie, and Blow. She worked with Heath Ledger in Gregor Jordan's Ned Kelly and was recently seen in Comanche Moon.
 Ann Fay is one of Australia’s leading casting agents. As head of Maura Fay Casting she is part of a dynamic, creative and reputable company that has been established for 20 years and is responsible for casting a vast array of projects domestically and internationally. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland, affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, London, New Zealand and Singapore , Maura Fay Casting is respected by actors, producers and directors the world over.
Ann had the great privilege of auditioning and casting Heath Ledger in the series ‘Roar’ when he was only seventeen. This introduced Heath to the American market and marked the start of his swift rise to international stardom and critical praise. His maturity and commanding voice were particularly advanced for someone so young. His charming demeanour, engaging personality and great talent indicated a bright future.
Amongst many, some of the Australian actors who have appeared in Maura Fay Casting projects over the years include Heath Ledger, Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, Russell Crowe, Judy Davis, Anna Torv, Paul Hogan, Hugh Jackman, Teresa Palmer, Nicole Kidman, Julian McMahon, Olivia Newton-John, Greta Scacchi, Rachael Taylor, Martin Henderson, Jack Thompson and Naomi Watts.
Maura Fay Casting continues to introduce upcoming stars to national and international feature films, television series and pilots through close collaborations with noted industry leaders.
 Paula Paizes is an experienced lawyer, producer and business consultant with a broad and deep knowledge of business, finance and operations in Film, TV, Music and Live entertainment. Paula has had a long career in the entertainment and media industries having practiced in Australia for several years as a successful entertainment lawyer with international firm, Blake Dawson Waldron representing many prominent producers, agents, studios, government agencies and filmmakers. After serving as legal counsel to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Co, The Really Useful Co, she joined them as in house counsel and head of business affairs working in Sydney and New York.
In the late 1990's, Paula settled in Los Angeles, and has since operated as a business affairs advisor to many film and media companies enjoying a steady career working in finance, production and distribution of film, TV and other media products. In recent years, Paula has also produced film and TV, and served a two year producing deal for leading Hollywood film and TV producer Mark Gordon ( “Saving Private Ryan”, “The Patriot”, “The Day After Tomorrow”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Criminal Minds” etc ).
Paula is Vice President of LA based industry organization, Australians in Film and is Chair of the Heath Ledger Scholarship, created to sponsor emerging Australian actors to come to Hollywood to further their training and international careers. |
