Finalists announced for inaugural First Nations acting initiative
The Casting Guild of Australia (CGA), in partnership with Showcast, has named 20 finalists in its inaugural First Nations Acting Initiative, designed to celebrate and amplify First Nations actors across Australia.
The First Nations Acting Initiative, launched by the CGA in partnership with Showcast, invited performers aged 15 to 80 from across the country to submit auditions.
According to the organisers, the call welcomed participants at all stages of their careers — from amateur and emerging actors to established professionals. The aim, as stated by the partners, is to celebrate and amplify the voices of First Nations actors across Australia.
Key Points
- CGA and Showcast launched inaugural First Nations Acting Initiative
- Open to performers aged 15 to 80 at all career stages across Australia
- Submissions reviewed by CGA, Showcast, Rob Collins and Greer Simpkin
- Twenty finalists named; all participants remain visible to CGA via Showcast
- Finalists receive 12 Month Free Showcast Membership and industry exposure
- CGA may facilitate agent introductions for unrepresented finalists
- CGA representative signals intention to run initiative again this year
Selection Process
Submissions were reviewed by a panel comprising representatives from the CGA and Showcast, alongside actor Rob Collins (Total Control, RFDS) and producer Greer Simpkin (Sweet Country, Mystery Road) from Bunya Productions. The panel described the calibre of submissions as exceptional and undertook a careful, considered selection process.
“This initiative will help put more Indigenous faces and stories”
— Rob Collins
The panel said they were impressed by the calibre of entries. The organisers’ description of a deliberate assessment process underscored the initiative’s goal of surfacing talent from a broad range of First Nations actors, spanning regions, ages and experience levels across the Australian screen industry.
The 20 Finalists
Following the review, the initiative named 20 finalists from across Australia. According to the CGA and Showcast, these actors were chosen after a careful and considered process:
- Ajay Williams
- Chenile Chandler
- Colin W. Smith
- Corey Saylor-Brunskill
- Djalu Barsah
- Jai Craig-Fraser
- Jai Wright
- Jamie-Lee Black
- Joe Schmidt
- Josie Rose Flanders
- Koylan Sampi
- Mollie Nichaloff
- Nestor Jordan
- Riley Warner
- Ruby May Henaway
- Sarah Roberts-Field
- Taylor Rayfield
- Theo Clarke
- Trinity West
- Zak Patel
The finalists will receive several career benefits, including a 12 Month Free Showcast Membership, several representation opportunities and extensive industry exposure.
Ongoing Access and Representation Pathways
The CGA and Showcast confirmed that all performers who submitted — not only the finalists — will remain visible to members of the Casting Guild of Australia through Showcast. The organisers said this is intended to ensure the full breadth of talent discovered through the First Nations Acting Initiative can continue to be viewed and considered for future casting opportunities across the Australian screen industry.
For finalists who are not currently represented by an agent, the CGA indicated they may be introduced to reputable talent agencies through informal industry connections facilitated by members of the Casting Guild of Australia, with the intention of helping create opportunities for representation.
Anticipated Impact
Organisers framed the initiative’s impact in two key ways: spotlighting newly identified talent and increasing visibility for all who submitted. Casting director and CGA representative Anousha Zarkesh described the discoveries as exciting and noted the guild’s intention to continue the program.
CGA representatives have noted an intention to run the initiative again this year, while the ongoing visibility of all submissions through Showcast is designed to support forward momentum in casting opportunities.
