Australians In Film Breakthrough Awards

Sam Worthington at the Australians in Film 2009 Breakthrough Awards

Australian actors Ryan Kwanten and Chris Hemsworth have been named as the honorees for next month’s Breakthrough Awards. The May 13 ceremony, organized by Los Angeles-based organization Australians In Film, will be hosted by Rove McManus.  The awards are in their sixth year. They have a history of helping launch young Australian talent in Hollywood. The Australians In Film association, is designed to recognize the achievements of stars from Down Under who are carving out careers in the American entertainment industry.

Hemsworth is currently filming the blockbuster action film Thor, based on the Marvel comic book character. He is best known to Star Trek fans for his role in Star Trek XI as George Kirk, the father of James T. Kirk, is one of two Australian actors to win a Breakthrough Award.

Kwanten, the lead star casting as Jason Stackhouse in the award-winning TV series True Blood and will star in four feature films this year, including Don’t Fade Away with Mischa Barton and Beau Bridges which is set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

Past recipients include Sam Worthington, Mia Wasikowska, Isla Fisher, Abbie Cornish, Melissa George and Jesse Spencer.

The event announces the 2010 winner of the Heath Ledger Scholarship – a sum of $10,000 AUSD plus return airfare from Australia which will be awarded to one emerging Australian to help pursue a career in the U.S.

Judged by a panel of the late Oscar winner’s friends, the scholarship will go to an Australian actor yet to break into Hollywood and help with relocation costs to Los Angeles.

Susie Dobson, chair of Australians in Film and the Heath Ledger Scholarship, said that the Breakthrough Awards have become globally recognized for identifying Australia’s next brightest stars.

The ceremony is being backed by Oroton, Moet & Chandon, Penfolds, and UGG Australia and will be held at the Thompson Hotel Beverly Hills.