Alice role for Australian actress

Australian actress Mia Wasikowska is in final talks to star in director Tim Burton's Disney version of Alice in Wonderland, according to a report.

Wasikowska has just finished filming Amelia with Richard Gere.

The 18-year-old is set to land the role after a long search for the title character, the Hollywood Reporter says.

The actress started out in Australian TV drama All Saints and stars in US series In Treatment.

She also appears alongside Daniel Craig in war drama Defiance, due out later in the year.

Burton's take on Lewis Carroll's classic fantasy novel will use a mixture of live action and animation and will be made in 3D.

Filming is due to begin in November, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Wasikowska has just finished filming her role as a young fan of aviator Amelia Earhart in Mira Nair's biopic Amelia, starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.

Burton's previous projects include musicals Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

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MIFF Festival Program Launched!

The MIFF Box Office opens today at The Forum Theatre!
154 Flinders St (cnr Russell St).

Mon 14th July - Thursday 24th July 11am - 7pm.

Friday 25th July - Sunday 10th August 10am to start of last session.

Phone bookings available on 03 9662 3722.
Monday 14 July - Thursday 24 July 11am to 9pm.
Friday 25 July - Sunday 10 August 10am - 9pm.



Or buy online! Check out our program HERE on the website.
Single tickets, festival passes and Opening & Closing Night tickets are available for purchase NOW.

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Australian film organization creates Ledger scholarship

Heath Ledger was known for giving aspiring Australian actors a hand in Hollywood. Now, an Australian film organization has established a scholarship fund in the late actor's name to continue those efforts.
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"There's an entire tribe of Australians who have all benefited from his generosity," said Susie Dobson, president of Australians in Film, or AiF. "This (scholarship) captures Heath's spirit and serves our mission to help and celebrate Australian filmmakers."

Ledger -- who died at 28 of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January -- had served as an ambassador for the film organization and its board wanted to honor him after his death, Dobson said.

Director Gregor Jordan announced the establishment of the Heath Ledger Scholarship Fund last week at AiF's annual Breakthrough Awards, where he read a statement from Ledger's father, Kim Ledger.

"Although reluctant to lend his name to anything commercial, we know Heath would be proud of his attachment to this scholarship," Kim Ledger's statement said. "This scholarship in part does what Heath has done personally during the last 10 years and supported financially or in kind many friends, Australian actors, singers, directors or writers seeking to ply their talents in the USA."

Jordan also said that Michelle Williams, mother of Ledger's daughter, "would be very proud and happy to be the first benefactor" of the scholarship fund.

The first recipient will be announced next year, Dobson said.

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On the Net:

http://www.australiansinfilm.org

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