CASTING GUILD of AUSTRALIA
Established 2013
Awards.
The CGA Awards seek to acknowledge and support the critical role casting directors play in bringing together great casting opportunities for the stories we tell, both on a national and international stage.
After on-going consultation with the CGA, AACTA have introduced a casting award for film and television in 2018, however the CGA Awards is the only casting awards ceremony in the southern hemisphere that celebrates and recognises casting across all mediums including film, television, advertising, theatre and online content.
2023 CGA AWARDS
Best Casting in a TVC
Telstra ‘This Is Footy Country’ – Natalie Jane Harvie
Australia Post ‘Delivering Always’ – Ally Reynolds and Ellie Honigman
Furphy ‘Rookie’ – Amy Mete
MLA Lamb ‘Un-Australian’ – Natalie Jane Harvie
Virgin Australia ‘Have A Wonderful Flight’ – Amy Mete
Who Gives A Crap ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’ – Sarah Alekna
Best Casting in a TVC – Community
Qantas ‘Feels Like Home Again’ – Danny Long
Mona ‘Queer Woodchop Championships’ – Natalie Jane Harvie
Movember – Natalie Jane Harvie
NRL ‘Run To What’s Real’ – Stevie Ray
Vegemite 100 Years – Peta Dermatis and Lauren Mass
Vote Yes, The Voice – Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a Feature Film
Shayda – Anousha Zarkesh
Sweet As – Jane Norris
Talk To Me – Nikki Barrett
The New Boy – Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a Short Film
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge – Danny Long
14 in February – Will Pearce
Hafekasi – Peta Dermatis and Lauren Mass
Pasifika Drift – Stephanie Pringle and Alison Fowler
Best Casting in a TV Comedy
Colin From Accounts – Kirsty McGregor and Stevie Ray
Deadloch – Alison Telford and Kate Leonard
Gold Diggers – Lou Mitchell, Marianne Jade and Amanda Mitchell
Totally Completely Fine – Amanda Mitchell
Best Casting in a TV Drama
Shantaram – Alison Telford, Kate Leonard with Kate Dowd (UK Casting) and Nikki Barrett (Original Casting)
Black Snow – Nikki Barrett and Natalie Wall
Last King of the Cross – Stevie Ray
The Newsreader S2 – Nathan Lloyd
Best Casting in a Telemovie/TV Miniseries
Safe Home – Nathan Lloyd
In Our Blood – Nathan Lloyd
The Clearing – Jane Norris
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Jane Norris
Best Casting in a Theatre Production
Choir Boy – Rhys Velasquez
& Juliet – Kirsty McGregor
Fences – Alex Souvlis
Is God Is – Janine Snape and Alex Souvlis
Achievement in Casting
Barrumbi Kids – Faith Martin
Latecomers – Danny Long
Crazy Fun Park – Marianne Jade and Lou Mitchell
Triple Oh! – Amy Mete and Nick Hamon
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Holding Redlich
Casting Networks
Showcast
Gold Sponsors
Talentpay
Screenwise
LMCM
Hansen Management
Silver Sponsors
CBM Management
AMI Perth
Netflix
Creative Representation
Bronze Sponsors
See Saw Films
Artist Management Australia
RGM Artists
Shanahan
Matchbox Pictures
Brave Studios
Sophie Jermyn Management
Easy Tiger
Charity Partners
Entertainment Assist
2022 CGA AWARDS
Best Casting in a Feature Film
We Are Still Here - Anousha Zarkesh
NUDE TUESDAY - Alison Telford & Yvette Reid (non-member)
SISSY - Marianne Jade
The Stranger - Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a TV Drama
Heartbreak High - Amanda Mitchell
Mystery Road: Origin - Anousha Zarkesh
NEIGHBOURS - Thea McLeod
The Twelve - Kirsty McGregor
Best Casting in a TV Comedy
Preppers - Anousha Zarkesh
Spreadsheet - Amanda Mitchell
Summer Love - Nathan Lloyd
Wolf Like Me - Stevie Ray
Best Casting in a Tele-Movie/Mini Series
Bali 2002 - Anousha Zarkesh
Love Me - Nathan Lloyd
Savage River - Kirsty McGregor
True Colours - Anousha Zarkesh
Best Casting in a Short Film
The Moths Will Eat Them Up - Tom McSweeney & David Newman
Don’t Come In ... Yet! - Megan D’Arcy
VICTIM - Daniella Friedman
Thomas Rides in an Ambulance - Megan D’Arcy
Best Casting in a Theatre Production
Moulin Rouge! The Musical - Lisa Campbell
A Raisin in the Sun - Alex Souvlis
Looking for Alibrandi - Marline Zaibak
The Heartbreak Choir - Janine Snape
White Pearl - Alex Souvlis
Best Casting in Achievement in Casting
THE AUSTRALIA WARS - Anousha Zarkesh
A Beginner’s Guide to Grief - Amanda Mitchell
Maverix - Nathan Lloyd
UNHCR – Reluctant Sea Shanty - Natalie Jane Harvie
Best Casting in a TVC
SBS "We All Speak" - Mathew Waters
BUPA Flextras - Danny Long
Google - Micaeley Gibson & Anousha Zarkesh
Google x AFL "Helping You Help Them" - Natalie Jane Harvie
MONA “1 star review” - Felicity Byrne
Toyota Corolla "Never Stop Smiling" - Daniella Friedman
Best Casting in a Community TVC
R U OK? - Nick Hamon & Amy Mete
Aus Post - Stevie Ray
Destination NSW - Natalie Jane Harvie
Dulux "Summer Sessions" - Sarah Alekna & Annabel Clayton
Qantas - Stevie Ray
RED CROSS “Lifeblood of Australia” - Peta Dermatis & Lauren Mass
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Showcast
Gold Sponsors
Aran Michael Mgt
Creative Representation
Fremantle
Talentpay
Silver Sponsors
Flinders University
Natalie Hall Artist Management
Netflix
Scout Management
Bronze Sponsors
Artist Management Australia
Brave Studios
CBM Management
RGM Artists
RPR Talent
See Saw Films
Shanahan
Sophie Jermyn Management
2021 CGA AWARDS
Best Casting in a TV Comedy
Fisk - Kirsty McGregor
Aftertaste - Marianne Jade, Angela Heesom, Lou Heesom
Frayed S2 - Kirsty McGregor
Why Are You Like This - Amy Mete
Best Casting in A Feature Film
High Ground - Anousha Zarkesh
Nitram - Nikki Barrett, Alison Telford & Kate Leonard
The Dry - Jane Norris
The Furnace - Nikki Barrett
Best Casting in a TV Drama, TV Miniseries & Telemovie
The Newsreader - Nathan Lloyd
Eden - Danny Long
Fires - Nikki Barrett
Wakefield - Marianne Jade
Best Casting in a Short Film
Tough - Daisy Hicks
The Reality - Danny Long
The Stranger - Danny Long
You and Me, Before and After - Stevie Ray
Best Casting in a Theatre Production
Fun Home - Janine Snape and Alex Souvlis
Grand Horizons - Alex Souvlis
The Lifespan of a Fact - Janine Snape
Best Casting in a TVC Community
NSW RFS: How Fireproof is Your Plan? - Lucky Price
Dept Social Services - Disability Gateway - Natalie Jane Harvie
DSS- Care and Support Sector - Daniella Friedman
Kellogg’s My perfect Bowl: Corn Flakes - Lucky Price
Tourism & Events Queensland - Michelle Clancy
Westpac - Stevie Ray
Best Casting in a TVC
Flybuys 'I Give A Flybuys' - Amy Mete & Nick Hamon
eBay - Daniella Friedman
Google X - Helping You Help Them - Natalie Jane Harvie
Lamb - Make Lamb, Not Walls - Leon Fryer
TYLENOL - "Mother's Day" and "Anthem" - Danny Long
WORKSAFE - Mel Mackintosh
Achievement in Casting
All My Friends Are Racist (web series) - Nathan Lloyd
Celebration Nation (Web Series) - Annabel Clayton
Mortal Kombat (Feature Film, Principal plus 1500 Extras) - Angela Heesom & Lou Heesom (with Non-CGA members)
The Bureau of Magical Things S2 (Children's TV) - Tom McSweeney & David Newman
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Showcast
Gold Sponsors
Talentpay
Silver Sponsors
Creative Representation
Flinders University
Bronze Sponsors
Artist Management Australia
Brave Studios
Natalie Hall Artist Management
RGM Artists
See Saw Films
Shanahan
2020 CGA AWARDS
Hosted by Bert and Amanda LaBonté
BEST CASTING IN A FEATURE FILM
Babyteeth – Kirsty McGregor & Stevie Ray
The True History of the Kelly Gang – Nikki Barrett
Measure for Measure – Thea McLeod
Paper Champions – Mel Mackintosh
BEST CASTING IN A TV COMEDY
Upright – Nathan Lloyd
Black Comedy S4 – Anousha Zarkesh
How To Stay Married S2 – Nick Hamon
The Other Guy S2 – Kirsty McGregor & Gemma Brown
BEST CASTING IN A TV DRAMA
Wentworth S8 – Nathan Lloyd
Mystery Road S2 – Anousha Zarkesh
Neighbours – Thea McLeod
The Heights S2 – Annie Murtagh-Monks
BEST CASTING IN A TV MINISERIES & TELEMOVIE
Operation Buffalo – Anousha Zarkesh
Deadhouse Dark – Stephanie Pringle & Alison Fowler
Halifax: Retribution – Nathan Lloyd
The Secrets She Keeps – Amanda Mitchell
BEST CASTING IN A SHORT FILM
The Mirror – Daniella Friedman
Blood Sisters – Stephanie Pringle & Alison Fowler
Giants – Stevie Ray
The End, The Beginning – Stephanie Pringle & Alison Fowler
ACHIEVEMENT IN CASTING
The InBESTigators S2 – Nathan Lloyd
100% Wolf – Kirsty McGregor
Guy Sebastian ‘Standing With You’ – Daisy Hicks
Holy Holy ‘Maybe You Know’ – Mel Mackintosh
BEST CASTING IN A THEATRE PRODUCTION
Torch the Place – Janine Snape
Kiss of the Spider Woman – Janine Snape No Pay?
No Way! – Alex Souvlis
The Beauty Queen of Leenane – Alex Souvlis
BEST CASTING IN A TVC - COMMUNITY
ANZ #lovespeech – Natalie Jane Harvie
Commonwealth Bank ‘We can. Together’ – Stevie Ray
GlaxoSmithKline ‘Meningitis B’ – Antonia Murphy
LinkedIn ‘We’re in it together’ – Daniella Friedman
Tourism Australia ‘Matesong’ – Natalie Jane Harvie
Uber Connect ‘Mother’s Day’ – Natalie Jane Harvie
BEST CASTING IN A TVC
Jeep ‘I’m in’ – Joseph Wijangco
Alcohol & Drug Foundation, ‘You haven’t been Drinking Alone’ – Sarah Alekna
Australia Post ‘Spread the Merry’ – Danny Long
Suncorp ‘Make Your House More Home’ – Natalie Jane Harvie
Department of Justice & Community Safety, Victoria ‘Victoria Fires’ – Megan D’Arcy
WorkSafe ‘Manslaughter’ – Amy Mete
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Showcast
2019 CGA AWARDS
Hosted by Zahra Newman and Mark Coles Smith with special guest Todd Abbott
BEST CASTING IN A FEATURE FILM
Hearts and Bones - Kirsty McGregor & Gemma Brown
Judy & Punch - Kirsty McGregor
The Nightingale - Nikki Barrett
Unsound - Cinzia Coassin
BEST CASTING IN A TV COMEDY
Mr Inbetween Series 2 - Kirsty McGregor
Get Krackin’ Series 2 - Alison Telford & Kate Leonard (Original Casting Nathan Lloyd)
The Family Law Series 3 - Tom McSweeney and David Newman
Utopia Series 4 - Alison Telford and Kate Leonard (Original Casting Jane Kennedy)
BEST CASTING IN A TV DRAMA
The Heights Series 1 - Annie Murtagh-Monks
Diary of an Uber Driver - Kirsty McGregor & Stevie Ray
Total Control - Anousha Zarkesh
Wentworth Series 7 - Nathan Lloyd
BEST CASTING IN A TV MINISERIES & TELEMOVIE
The Hunting - Heesom Casting
Lambs of God - Kirsty McGregor
On the Ropes - Amanda Mitchell
Secret Bridesmaids Business - Alison Telford & Kate Leonard
BEST CASTING IN A SHORT FILM
Strangers - Stevie Ray
Beverly - Danny Long
Chicken - Stevie Ray
Way Out Assistance - Daisy Hicks
ACHIEVEMENT IN CASTING
The Unlisted - Kirsty McGregor & Gemma Brown
Mastermind - Lucky Price
The Block 2019 - Lucky Price
The InBESTigators - Nathan Lloyd
BEST CASTING IN A THEATRE PRODUCTION
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child - Janine Snape
Golden Shield - Janine Snape
Hair The Musical - Anniversary Tour - Tom McSweeney & David Newman
The Dismissal - Musical - Daisy Hicks
BEST CASTING IN A TVC - COMMUNITY
Kellogg’s - My Perfect Bowl - Lucky Price
Belong - Together We Are Different - Natalie Jane Harvie
Dollar Shave Club - Natalie Jane Harvie
Dylan Alcott Foundation “Remove the Barrier” - Alison Telford and Kate Leonard
Great Northern Brewing Co- ‘The Great ReCamp’ - Stevie Ray
RSL Queensland - Michelle Clancy
BEST CASTING IN A TVC
Westpac 'Beirut' - Peta Einberg
AAMI - Danny Long
Dolly’s Dream - Sarah Alekna
Meat & Livestock Australia. Lamb “New Australia-Land” - Joseph Wijangco Co Casting with: Nick Hamon and Catch Casting
NAB Mini Legends - Daniella Friedman
Westpac - ‘Ari - Kirsty McGregor & Gemma Brown
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Gold Sponsors
Shanahan
Talentpay
Silver Sponsors
Creative Representation
Easy Tiger
Bronze Sponsors
Flinders University
RGM Artists
RPR Talent
See Saw Films
Sophie Jermyn Management
TAFTA
2018 CGA AWARDS
Hosted by Toby Truslove and Michala Banas with special guest Alan Finney.
BEST CASTING IN A FEATURE FILM
Breath - Nikki Barrett
1% - Kirsty McGregor
Sweet Country - Anousha Zarkesh
The Merger - Faith Martin
BEST CASTING IN A TV COMEDY
Black Comedy Series 3 - Anousha Zarkesh
Back in Very Small Business - Series 1 - Nathan Lloyd
Mr Inbetween - Kirsty McGregor
True Story with Hamish & Andy - Series2 - Nathan Lloyd
BEST CASTING IN A TV DRAMA
Jack Irish - Series 2 - Nikki Barrett
Mystery Road - Anousha Zarkesh
Rake - Anousha Zarkesh
Wentworth - Series 6 - Nathan Lloyd
BEST CASTING IN A TV MINISERIES & TELEMOVIE
Picnic at Hanging Rock - Nikki Barrett
Fighting Season - Kirsty McGregor
Olivia Newton-John - Hopelessly Devoted to You - Nathan Lloyd
Underbelly Files Chopper - Anousha Zarkesh
BEST CASTING IN A SHORT FILM
An Act of Love - Megan D'Arcy
Drum Wave - Nathan Lloyd
Joy Boy - Stevie McGregor
Nursery Rhymes - Danny Long
ACHIEVEMENT IN CASTING
Wrong Kind of Black - Anousha Zarkesh
Deadlock - Danny Long
Homecoming Queens - Gemma Brown
The Bureau of Magical Things - Tom McSweeney & David Newman
BEST CASTING IN A TVC - COMMUNITY
Stand Up for the Spirit of Australia | Qantas - Antonia Murphy
NAB - Talk To Yourself More - Natalie Jane Harvie
Perfect Italiano - Amy Mete
Vic Health ‘This Girl Can’ - Daniella Friedman
WorkSafe - New Safety Campaign - Rosie Traynor
BEST CASTING IN A TVC
Bonds: 'Gotta Be Bonds' - Joseph Wijangco
MLA "Lamb Side Story" - Antonia Murphy
Movember - Anousha Zarkesh
NZ Lotto: Armoured Truck - Joseph Wijangco (w. Catch Casting NZ)
Powerball: 'The Powerball' - Leon Fryer & Daisy Hicks
Westpac - Help. It’s what Australian do - Stevie Ray
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Gold Sponsors
Shanahan
Silver Sponsors
Creative Representation
RPR Talent
Talentpay
Bronze Sponsors
Flinders University
Matchbox Pictures
RGM Artists
See Saw Films
Sth Australia Film Corp
TAFTA
2017 CGA AWARDS
Hosted by Darren Gilshenan and Susie Youssef.
BEST CASTING FOR A FEATURE FILM
Lion – Kirsty Mcgregor - Winner
Don’t Tell – Ben Parkinson
Hacksaw Ridge – Nikki Barrett
Hounds of Love – Anousha Zarkesh
BEST CASTING FOR TV DRAMA, MINI SERIES OR TELEMOVIE
Seven Types of Ambiguity – Alison Telford – Winner
Glitch S2 – Alison Telford
Pulse – S1 – Amanda Mitchell
Top of the Lake China Girl – Kirsty Mcgregor
BEST CASTING FOR TV COMEDY
The Family Law – Tom McSweeney and David Newman – Winner
Here comes the Habibs – Stevie REay
The Other Guy – Kirsty Mcgregor
Utopia - Kate Leonard (original casting by Jane Kennedy)
BEST CASTING FOR A SHORT FILM
Banana Boy – David Newman – Winner
Dreamweaver – Daisy Hicks
Fysh – Danny Long
SOOP – Antonia Murphy
ACHIEVEMENT IN CASTING
Jasper Jones – Janine Snape - Winner
Event Zero – Antonia Murphy
High Life – Stevie Ray
Macbeth – Janine Snape
Testament – Emma Fleming
BEST CASTING FOR A TVC
Antonia Murphy - MLA “Australia Day” - WINNER
Carefree ‘You Know’ - Joseph Wijangco
Air BnB- “Until We All Belong” - Natalie Jane Harvie
Airtasker –‘Like a Boss’ - Danny Long
Audible - Stevie Ray
Commbank - Multicultural Australians - Antonia Murphy
Hungry Jacks “Keeping it real” - Nick Hamon
Foxtel - Foxtel Now - Natalie Jane Harvie
KFC - Danny Long
KFC “Shut Up and Take My Money” Series - Antonia Murphy
“The Big Deal” Marriage Equality - Joseph Wijangco
“The Next Steps” Recognise TVC - Daisy Hicks
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Gold Sponsors
Foxtel
Shanahan
Silver Sponsors
See Saw Films
Bronze Sponsors
Flinders University
Media Super
RGM Artists
Sth Australia Film Corp
Talentpay
2016 CGA AWARDS
Hosted by Danielle Cormack and Dave Eastgate.
BEST CASTING FOR A FEATURE FILM
Down Under - Stevie Ray & Kirsty McGregor WINNER
The Dressmaker - Christine King
Alex & Eve - Anousha Zarkesh
The Daughter - Nikki Barrett
BEST CASTING FOR TV DRAMA
Cleverman - Anousha Zarkesh WINNER
Ready For This - Anousha Zarkesh
Jack Irish - Nikki Barrett
Doctor Doctor - Kirsty McGregor
BEST CASTING FOR TV COMEDY
The Family Law - David Newman & Tom McSweeney *WINNER
Rake (Season 4) - Anousha Zarkesh
Black Comedy (Season 2) - Anousha Zarkesh
The Letdown - Kirsty McGregor
BEST CASTING FOR A TELEMOVIE
The Principal - Anousha Zarkesh *WINNER
The Kettering Incident - Kirsty McGregor
The Divorce - Nick Hamon
Secret City - Kirsty McGregor
BEST CASTING FOR A SHORT FILM
Dream Baby - Danny Long *WINNER
St Kilda Film Festival Trailer - Nick Hamon
Problem Play - Stevie Ray & Kirsty McGregor
The Mother Situation - Anousha Zarkesh
BEST CASTING FOR A TVC
Foxtel Campaign - Anousha Zarkesh & Megan D’Arcy *WINNERS
MLA Lamb - Antonia Murphy
Omo ‘Dirt Erases Differences' - Leon Fryer
Girls Make Your Move - Melanie Mackintosh
Domestic Violence - Stevie Ray
Qantas - Stevie Ray
HCF - Natalie Jane Harvie
NAB Auskick - Daniella Friedman
Ancestory.com ‘Come Fine Me’ - Joseph Wijangco
Samsung Campaign - Susie McLean
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Casting Networks
Holding Redlich
Gold Sponsors
Foxtel
Talentpay
Silver Sponsors
Fusion Entertainment Studios
See Saw Films
Bronze Sponsors
Flinders University
Sth Australia Film Corp
2015 CGA AWARDS
Hosted by Ewen Leslie and Sarah Snook. Special Guest George Miller AO.
BEST FILM CASTING
Last Cab to Darwin - Kirsty McGregor *WINNER
Holding The Man - Nikki Barrett
Mad Max Fury - Nikki Barrett
BEST TELEVISION CASTING (up to 6 hours)
Redfern Now - Anousha Zarkesh *WINNER
The Code - Christine King
Glitch - Alison Telford
Peter Allen – Not the Boy Next Door - Christine King & Anousha Zarkesh
BEST TELEVISION CASTING (More than 6 hours)
Please Like Me - Alison Telford *WINNER
Rake - Anousha Zarkesh
Hiding - Christine King
The Moodys - Kirsty McGregor
BEST TVC CASTING
UWS ‘Deng Adut’ - Natalie Jane Harvie *WINNER
Qantas ‘Feels Like Home' - Stevie Ray & Kirsty McGregor *WINNER
RACGP - Nick Hamon
Play Sport Australia - Antonia Murphy
Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Holding Redlich
