The nominees for the 2025 Casting Guild of Australia Awards — the only casting awards ceremony in the southern hemisphere that recognises casting across all mediums — have been revealed.
The awards seek to acknowledged and support the crucial role casting directors play in bringing together great casting opportunities on both a national and international stage, across film, television, television commercials, theatre, new media, and reality.
They are peer-voted, and this year, sponsors were invited to help judge. This year’s awards are supported by Platinum Sponsors Casting Networks and Showcast.
Anousha Zarkesh leads this year with nominations across five categories, including feature film, TV drama, TV comedy, telemovie/miniseries, and short film. Natalie Harvie has earned three nods across two categories, while Nikki Barrett, Natalie Wall, Jane Norris, and Kirsty McGregor all feature multiple times across film, television, and telemovie/miniseries casting.
Other notable nominations include Rhys Velasquez, Daniel Berini, and Ally Reynolds and Ellie Honigman for achievement in casting and short film work, while theatre and commercial casting sees Emily David, Lisa Campbell, Peta Dermatis, and Lauren Mass recognised for their contributions.
Across all categories, the awards highlight the breadth and talent of casting directors shaping Australia’s screen, stage, and advertising stories. You can see the full list of nominees below.
CGA President Thea McLeod said: “Congratulations to all the nominees for this year’s Casting Guild of Australia Awards! It’s always such a wonderful time for us all to come together and celebrate the incredible work of casting directors right across the country.
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“A big thank you to our amazing supporters and sponsors. Your generosity makes these celebrations possible every year, and we’re so grateful. The CGA recognise all of our members and the brilliant work they do; their talent and dedication continue to set the standard across our industry,” she continued.
“And to all of this year’s nominees, a huge congratulations! We’re so proud of you all and can’t wait to celebrate the creativity, talent and heart that make this community, and our industry, so special.”
The winners will be announced at the official invite-only award ceremony on November 21st at Melbourne’s Arts Centre. The 2025 CGA Rising Stars will also be presented on the night with recipients set to be announced early November.
2025 Casting Guild of Australia Award Nominees:
Best Casting in a Feature Film
“Better Man” – Alison Telford and Kate Leonard
“Bring Her Back” – Nikki Barrett
“One More Shot” – Natalie Wall
“The Correspondent” – Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a TV Drama
“Black Snow” Season 2 – Natalie Wall and Nikki Barrett
“Mystery Road: Origin” Season 2 – Anousha Zarkesh
“Territory” – Anousha Zarkesh
“The Newsreader” Season 3 – Nathan Lloyd
Best Casting in a TV Comedy
“Austin” Season 2 – Amanda Mitchell
“Fisk” Season 3 – Kirsty McGregor and Will Pearce
“Strife” Season 2 – Jane Norris
“The Office” – Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a Telemovie/TV Miniseries
“Apple Cider Vinegar” – Kirsty McGregor
“The Narrow Road to the Deep North” – Nikki Barrett
“The Survivors” – Jane Norris
“Thou Shalt Not Steal” – Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a Short Film
“Bear” – Sarah Price
“Finding Addison” – Faith Martin
“She Laa’s” – Ally Reynolds and Ellie Honigman
“They Kill by Night” – Tom McSweeney and David Newman
Achievement in Casting
“Echo: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen” – Rhys Velasquez
“Indigenous Mental Health” – Anousha Zarkesh
“Moni” – Marianne Jade
“Robyn’s Story: ‘Cracks in the Ice’” – Daniel Berini
Best Casting in a Theatre Production
“August: Osage County” – Emily David, Kelsey Martin and Chantelle Iemma
“Beetlejuice: The Musical” – Lisa Campbell
“Champions” – Kathryn Courtney-Prior
“The Inheritance” – Daniel Cottier
Best Casting in a TVC – Actor
“AFL X: ‘160 of AFL Lore’” – Peta Dermatis and Lauren Mass
“Didi: ‘Yes I Didi’” – Natalie Harvie
“MLA Lamb: ‘The Comments Section’” – Danny Long
“SBS: ‘We Go There’” – Danny Long
“Toyota Hilux: ‘In a Pickle’” – Joseph Wijangco and Nick Hamon
“Picklebet: ‘Get Your Pickle On’” – Natalie Harvie
Best Casting in a TVC – Community
“Alcohol: ‘Think Again’” – Daniel Berini
“Bravehearts: ‘Grooming Hides Behind Harmless’” – Michelle Clancy
“Ford Ranger: ‘It Takes You and a Ranger’” – Peta Dermatis and Lauren Mass
“Gatorade: ‘No Sugar’” – Peter Rasmussen
“Mycar: ‘Introducing the Mycar Chargers’” – Natalie Harvie
“Qantas: ‘Already Proud’” – Ally Reynolds and Ellie Honigman