Anusha Zarkesh won her fourth award for Best Casting in a Feature Film tonight at the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) Awards for her work in Criv Stenders’ The Correspondent.
The film’s ensemble cast, led by Richard Roxburgh, included Julian Maroon, Rahel Roman, Yael Stone, Nick Qasim, Mojhan Arias, Faisal Bazzi, Majid Shokor, Josh McConville, and Hazem Shamas.
The night was one of two awards for Zarkesh, who also won for Best Casting in a Television Drama for Season 2 of Mystery Road: Origins, starring Mark Coles-Smith, Thuri Nakul, Clarence Ryan and Robin Malcolm.
Kirsty McGregor was the night’s other double winner, sharing the award with Will Pearce for Best Casting in a TV Comedy for Season 3 of Fisk, starring Kitty Flanagan, and Best Casting in a TV Movie/Mini-Series for Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, starring Kaitlyn Deaver, Alicia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee and Tilda Cobham-Harvey. Ashley Zukerman and Mark Coles-Smith.
Fisk’s gong marks the first CGA Award win for Pierce, who was listed on the 2024 IF Rising Talent list. Other winners on the night included Sarah Price, who won Best Casting in a Short Film for Bear.
CGA President Thea McLeod praised all the nominees and congratulated the winners. “CGA is very proud.”
Showcasing the amazing work our members are doing across the entertainment industry. The talent, passion and dedication are truly extraordinary. ”
The CGA Awards were held at Melbourne’s Arts Center and were hosted by Ed Cavalley and Dirk Jayasinghe, with special guest Tony Ayers.
This year’s CGA Rising Stars were formally recognized on the night, including Claire Hughes, Ioan Saura, Joseph Zada, Lily Latorre, Roxy Mohebi, Stacey Clausen, Tanjin Crawford, Taranya Taran and Xavier.
Molyneux and Zoe Phillips.
The complete list of 2025 CGA Award winners is below.
Best casting in a feature film
Correspondent – Anusha Zarkesh
Best casting for TV drama
Mystery Road: Origins Season 2 – Anusha Zarkesh
Best Casting Award for TV Comedy
Fisk Season 3 – Kirsty McGregor and Will Pearce
Best Casting in a TV Movie/Mini-Series
Apple Cider Vinegar – Kirsty McGregor
Best casting for a short film
Bear – Sarah Price
TVC Best Casting – Actor
DiDi “Yes I DiDi” – Natalie Jane Harvey
Best Casting for TVC – Community
Qantas is ‘already proud’ – Allie Reynolds and Ellie Honigman
Best casting for a theatrical production
Beetlejuice: The Musical – Lisa Campbell
casting achievements
Robin’s Story “The Crack in the Ice” – Daniel Bellini
