Zielinski joins nine other finalists in the running for this year's scholarship: Aaron Glenane, Bethany Whitmore, Charmaine Bingwa, Kipan Rothbury, Brenna Harding, Ezekiel Simat, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Nicholas Denton and Gemma Bird Matheson. "It is amazing this scholarship has been established under Heath's name and in the spirit of his renowned generosity," Zielinski says. "By all accounts he was a very giving individual and this continues that work." The ten finalists for this year's scholarship already have a formidable body of work behind them, including roles on Picnic at Hanging Rock, Black Mirror, Thor: Ragnarok, Glitch and Puberty Blues. Brenna Harding (right) with Ashleigh Cummings in Puberty Blues. 22-year-old Harding said inclusion among the finalists for the scholarship felt like "being included in something that feels like a bit of a family, it feels like a real community they have created."

"Getting to go to LA and getting to spend a couple of days with the other finalists is going to be really wonderful," she said. Harding is best known for her work on Puberty Blues; she is also the co-author of the childen's book The Rainbow Cubby House about a same-sex family. Though the scholarship is widely seen as a pathway to Hollywood, Harding said that Tinseltown was not the final destination for every actor. "I really love the Australian industry and I have no ambitions to leave it entirely," she said. "Establishing a relationship with Hollywood ... allows me the chance to work with amazing minds, because this work is so much about collaboration. "And because of the beating heart that LA has become for the screen industry it has attracted some incredible creatives and I would love the chance to collaborate with them," Harding said.

Kirsty McGregor, the president of the Casting Guild of Australia, said this year's finalists reflected "the amazing and diverse talent" emerging in Australia. "Our industry will only get stronger as we embrace, celebrate and support new talent and ensure the faces we see on our screens reflect our community," McGregor said. McGregor was one of several judges on the scholarship selection panel; other judges include actresses Rose Byrne, Elizabeth Debicki and Naomi Watts, actor/producer Matt Damon and directors Gregor Jordan and Jeremy Podeswa. Harvey Zielinski (right) with actress Belinda McClory in the stage play Hir. Credit:Teresa Noble Zielinski echoed the sentiment of his fellow finalists in saying that while "it is corny, it does feel like a dream come true to be chosen, to be flown to LA and to be given this opportunity."

For Zielinski in particular, he acknowledged that the transgender community was experiencing a cultural moment in terms of its visibility and he wanted to become a prominent part of that. "It's central to me, I definitely want to be a voice for that community and I want to assist in the growth and development of that community and more rounded, more nuanced representation," he said. The scholarship trip will be Zielinski's first trip to America. "They are living through a difficult time politically and that's scary and sad for a lot of people, but it I also think [America] seems somewhere where you can do things, somewhere where everyone is really on the front foot, creating things, making things happen," Zielinski said. The scholarship is given out annually by Australians in Film; the winner will be announced on September 20 at an invitation-only gala dinner at LA's iconic Chateau Marmont.

The scholarship package is valued at US$30,000 and includes air travel from Qantas, drama coaching, movement, voice and dialect coaching, legal and photographic services, access to the Charlie's workspace in LA and a US$10,000 living allowance for rent and transport assistance.