Kartanya Maynard in shock after short-listing for Heath Ledger scholarship

She has only been acting for four years but Indigenous Tasmanian Kartanya Maynard is a rising star. She has just received another accolade.

Kartanya Maynard is one of the rising stars of screen for 2024. Picture Rebecca Hitch

Kartanya Maynard has only been acting for four years but the young Indigenous Tasmanian has been named a finalist in this year’s prestigious Heath Ledger Scholarship.

It is the second big accolade for the former Claremont College student and graduate of the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music, who last year was recognised by the Casting Guild of Australia as a rising star of the entertainment industry, with potential to break onto the international stage.

The 29-year-old was shocked to be one of six finalists in the Heath Ledger Scholarship which Australians in Film said attracted a record number of entries.

“I truly couldn’t believe it,” Kartanya said.

“I applied with no expectations, and really just thought, hey, you just be proud that you put in a good application and whatever happens, happens.”

A successful singer and musician she first snuck on to the stage as a two-year-old at an Oyster Cove Festival.

Tasmanian actor Kartanya Maynard. Picture: Rebecca Hitch

Kartanya Maynard Heath Ledger Scholarship finalist. Picture: Rebecca Hitch

While she still writes music and performs with her band FFLORA Kartanya is loving life after the switch to acting.

“I kind of just started re-evaluating after some big life events, and kind of was just really honest with myself, and I finally decided, like life is short, why not be an actor? Give it a good hot go.

“You’ll never regret it, even if you don’t make it, because you tried.”

She is recognised for roles in Deadloch, Heartbreak High and Gold Diggers and spends half the year on average interstate and is always content to be back home in Hobart.

“I’m around my family and my friends and obviously there’s that connection to country that I have here, more than anywhere else in Australia. So that keeps me grounded.”

Kartanya is a “massive” fan of Ledger.

“I have been obsessed with his movies since I was young, particularly Lords of Dogtown.

“If I could do just one per cent of what he could do, I’ll be happy for life.”

The rising star says the relationships she has formed with a variety of people have been the highlight of her acting career so far.

Thomas Weatherall, Chika Ikogwe, Gemma Chua-Tran, James Majoos, Sherry-Lee Watson, Will McDonald, Chloe Hayden, Bryn Chapman Parish, Asher Yasbincek, Kartanya Maynard and Ayesha Madon attends the Netflix cast and crew screening of "Heartbreak High" Season 2 at Palace Cinemas Moore Park on April 10, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for Netflix)

She is the first Tasmanian to be a finalist in the scholarship.

The Heath Ledger Scholarship is awarded to an emerging Australian actor showing extraordinary ability and dedication to their craft.

The finalists will fly to Los Angeles with the winner announced at an exclusive red carpet cocktail party in West Hollywood on October 22.

Australians in Film chair Emma Cooper said the aim was to “shine a light on the best acting talent coming out of Australia and to uphold Heath’s generous spirit of helping others”.