Mojean Aria, who recently starred as a young Jake LaMotta in The Bronx Bull about the legendary champion boxer’s life, has been awarded this year’s 9th Annual Heath Ledger Scholarship by Australians in Film. 

Established in 2008 in memory of the Australian actor, who served as an ambassador for AiF, the Scholarship is open to all young and emerging Australian actors 18-35 years old.

Having applied and been short-listed three years to date, watch Mojean’s moving acceptance speech.

Under the Scholarship, Aria will receive a USD$10,000 cash fund, private acting tuition from the Lisa Robertson and Nancy Banks Acting Studio, 2 x Qantas return flights to LA, a 7-day Californian trip from Visit California, USD$5,000 worth of visa and immigration services from Raynor and Associates, Business Management and Australian/US Taxation advice from the Protea Group, USD$5,000 Rent assistance, USD$1000.00 transportation credit to get around LA.

The Scholarship also includes mentorship from professionals in the industry and a lifestyle package.  Previous recipients have included Ashleigh Cummings, Matt Levett, James Mackay, Ryan Corr and Bella Heathcote.

This year’s judging panel included:

• Naomi Watts, Actor – Birdman, The Impossible, King Kong
• Ryan Murphy, Writer/Producer/Director – Feud, American Horror Story, Glee
• Gary Oldman, Actor – The Dark Knight Rises, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
• Bruna Papandrea, Producer – Big Little Lies, Wild, Gone Girl
• Kimberly Peirce, Director – Carrie, Boys Don’t Cry
• Emile Sherman, Producer – Lion, The King’s Speech
• Jacqueline McKenzie, Actor – The Water Diviner, Desperate Housewives
• Gregor Jordan, Director – Two Hands, Ned Kelly
• Ronna Kress, Casting Director – Mad Max: Fury Road, The Fault in Our Stars, Deadpool