Casting Guild of Australia Awards Set to Return to Sydney in November 2024

The annual Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) Awards Ceremony is returning to Sydney this year. The prestigious invite-only event will be held at the Establishment Hotel on Friday, November 15, 2024. Nominees for the awards will be announced in late October.

Launched in 2015, the CGA Awards is the only casting awards ceremony in the southern hemisphere that celebrates and recognises casting across all mediums, including film, television, television commercials, theatre, new media, and reality. The annual Awards Ceremony seeks to acknowledge and support the critical role casting directors play in bringing together great casting opportunities on a national and international stage.

CGA President Thea McLeod said, “We are thrilled to announce the Casting Guild Award nominations for 2024! Our role is like piecing together a brilliant puzzle—understanding each character’s unique needs and finding the perfect actor to fit each piece. By working closely with directors and producers, we bring their vision to life and make the script truly shine. It’s where the magic happens.

This year has been nothing short of amazing, with a fantastic array of talent showcased in the awards submissions. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of casting directors, who are often the unsung heroes making those brilliant performances possible. We’re incredibly excited to come together at this year’s CGA Awards to celebrate the outstanding work of Australian casting directors and the fantastic contributions they’ve made over the past year.”

2024 CGA AWARD CATEGORIES:

  • Best Casting in a Feature Film
  • Best Casting in a Short Film
  • Best Casting in a TV Comedy
  • Best Casting in a TV Drama 
  • Best Casting in a Telemovie & Miniseries
  • Achievement in Casting
  • Best Casting in a Theatre Production
  • Best Casting in a TVC – Community
  • Best Casting in a TVC

The CGA will also name ten extraordinary actors with the potential to break out on the world stage as the 2024 CGA Rising Stars. The Rising Stars will be announced in early November, and recipients will be interviewed by some of Australia’s top casting directors on CGA’s social pages before the official presentation on November 15.

For further information about CGA visit www.castingguild.com.au and be sure to follow their official socials channels for the latest news and updates.

Madman Entertainment Unveils Teaser Trailer for Adam Elliot’s “Memoir of a Snail”

Madman Entertainment has officially launched the teaser trailer for “Memoir of a Snail,” the latest project from Academy Award®-winning animation writer and director Adam Elliot, renowned for his work on “Mary and Max” and “Harvie Krumpet.” This highly anticipated stop-motion feature boasts a stellar voice cast, including Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Eric Bana, Magda Szubanski, Dominique Pinon, Tony Armstrong, and Jacki Weaver.

“Memoir of a Snail” tells the poignant and bittersweet story of Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook), a lonely woman who shares the narrative of her life with a humble garden snail named Sylvia. The film recently had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and will serve as the opening night feature at the Melbourne International Film Festival on August 8.

Produced by Arenamedia, “Memoir of a Snail” received significant production investment from Screen Australia, in collaboration with Anton and Charades. The project was developed and produced in association with VicScreen, and financed with additional support from Soundfirm, Mind the Gap Finance, Jameker, Shadowlane, and the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund (MIFF).

Film Synopsis:

“Memoir of a Snail” follows the life of Grace Pudel, a solitary misfit with a passion for collecting ornamental snails and a deep love for books. After being separated from her fiery twin brother Gilbert at a young age, Grace experiences profound anxiety and distress. However, she finds solace and inspiration through an enduring friendship with an eccentric elderly woman named Pinky, whose zest for life brings hope and joy to Grace’s world. This heartfelt and humorous film from Adam Elliot chronicles Grace’s journey to find confidence and silver linings amidst life’s challenges.

“Memoir of a Snail” is slated for a cinematic release on October 17, 2024. Check out the trailer below: