Two of Australia’s favourite actors, Ashleigh Brewer and Damon Herriman, will play a prestigious part in their support of the next generation of Australian television stars, as the 2016 TV Week Logie Awards draws closer.
In 2016, Ashleigh (The Bold And The Beautiful) and Damon (Flesh And Bone) will be joining forces as industry judges of the ‘Graham Kennedy Breakthrough Star Of Tomorrow Award’.
“I am so excited and really honoured to be a judge for the TV WEEK Logies Graham Kennedy Breakthrough Star Of Tomorrow Award,” former Neighbours star Ashleigh, says. “It’s so nice to see the high calibre of acting talent continuing to come out of Australia. I wish we could have awarded everyone!”
Damon has a very special connection to his role as a judge. It’s been more than three decades since his own nominations as a child actor on iconic drama The Sullivans.
“I had a few Logie nominations and didn’t win any of them, but it’s a nice feeling to be in a position to give back and judge the new talent,” he said.
Damon’s resume contains a who’s who of Hollywood. His most recent show, Flesh And Bone, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.
“I still spend half a year in Australia and like to keep my eye on who is working in our industry,” Damon adds. “There are some incredibly talented young actors that I looked at for this award. Any one of them would be deserving. So, as frustrating as it was to choose just one, it was a nice position to be spoilt for choice.”
For TV WEEK, these awards confirm the magazine’s desire to nurture and recognise the industry’s emerging talent.
“We are proud supporters of new TV talent,” TV WEEK publisher Jayne Ferguson says. “For years we’ve highlighted talent that have gone on to become some of the industry’s biggest and brightest stars.
“I’d also like to thank Ashleigh and Damon for being our celebrity judges of The Graham Kennedy Breakthrough Star Of Tomorrow Award – it’s great to have them on board, as they continue to blaze a trail all over the world.”
The Graham Kennedy Breakthrough Star Of Tomorrow Award was created in honour of iconic funnyman Graham Kennedy, following his death in 2005. The award recognises an actor or actress aged 18 years or younger who had their first major role on any Australian production in 2015.
Previous recipients of the award include Firass Dirani, Matt Preston, Jessica Marais, Emma Lung and Chris Lilley. In 2015, Miranda Tapsellwon for her leading role in Love Child (Nine Network).
And or the first time, two other newly created Logie awards will also be handed out at the nominations event: Most Outstanding Newcomer – Actor and Most Outstanding Newcomer – Actress.
In addition to winning a prestigious TV WEEK Logie Award, the lucky recipients will each receive a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles flying with Virgin Australia and a one-year scholarship at Stella Adler Academy Of Acting And Theatre in LA, thanks to LA-based non-profit Australians In Film and their exclusive partners. They’ll also receive a one-year management contract in LA with Australian Artists Management, as well as a TV WEEK photo shoot.
For all the behind-the-scenes action and inside information on Australian TV’s night of nights, check out TV WEEK magazine, follow us on Facebook or visit our website: www.tvweeklogieawards.com.au.
The 58th TV WEEK Logie Awards 2016 will take place at Crown Entertainment Complex’s Palladium Room in Melbourne on Sunday, May 8, 2016. It will air on the Nine Network.
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