Kya Stewart has appeared in several film and television roles and is about to make her first international film appearance in the science-fiction thriller RISEN, written and directed by Eddie Arya. She plays the role of Rachel Stermon, a biologist responsible for discovering life from other planets. RISEN will be screening in US cinemas from August 2021. The Australian actress recently finished filming the much talked about film, BEAT, written and directed by Jye Currie. The feature film stars Rachel Carpani (NCIS, McLeod's Daughters), John Wood (Blue Heelers, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Brendan Bacon (THE FLOOD, KNOWING), and is set to be released in late 2021. Kya's next role, where she plays Sandra in Lickerish, written and directed by former NRL West Tigers footballer, Kyle Lovett, will be filmed later this year. Based in Sydney, Australia, Kya has trained with a wide variety of acting Institutions. She studied at Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop in Sydney, where she learned the non-method way of acting; this method has helped shape the careers of Australian actor Ruby Rose (VANQUISH, THE MEG) and Shailene Woodley (DIVERGENT, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS). She has also studied with Jessica Orcsik at AFFTA LA, where she shares, "AAFTA'S training provides artists with safe, inclusive and productive tools to better support them on their journey in finding their authentic voices." Kya has studied at the renowned Andrew Wood acting studio in Los Angeles and completed an acting course at the Aryavision Film School, where she first met director Eddie Arya from which she was then cast in RISEN. She has also trained with the likes of AACTA award-winning actor Luke Ford in the Meisner Technique and award-winning actor Anthony Brandon Wong in the Chubbuck technique. The Chubbuck technique is a 12-step acting process created by Ivana Chubbuck where actors use real-life people from their life as substitutions in their work. "The Chubbuck Technique is a way to realize and embody a character so that the character becomes you, and you become the character," shared Kya. Chubbuck has coached the likes of Charlize Theron and Halle Berry. Kya played the lead role of Susie in the award-winning short film, BLACK HEART RED HANDS, directed by Russel Southam. The short film has won over 200 awards, including 'Best Crime Drama' at Silk Road Film Awards Cannes and 'Best Acting Ensemble' at the Vegas Movie Awards in 2020. For the role of Jade in THE ONE, Kya received international recognition for her work with many awards, including 'Best Actress' at the European International Film Festival, 'Best Actress of the season' at the Monkey Bread Tree Festival, and 'Best Actress' at the YLMAM Film Festival in Canada. This was an incredible achievement for her first film. Monkey Bread Tree Festival described her performance as, "bold, memorable and elegant. Her performance as a woman done wrong by a controlling boyfriend is elevated, somewhat memorable of Kate Jarvis in Fish Tank." Currently, in pre-production for her short film, COGNITIVE, Kya plays the lead role of Abbie Sullivan in the psychological drama, which is set to be released in 2022. The film is being made to raise awareness of trauma and mental health. "Cognitive explores the idea of reshaping memories from your past in order to change your future and was inspired by the film The Butterfly Effect," shared Kya. Kya has a personal drive "to change the world through truth and art" and works to "help give a voice to those who have been cast aside or forgotten by society" by selecting the film and TV projects she works on. She loves to meditate, read, learn, watch movies and go to the beach. Kya Stewart grew up in Ingleburn, New South Whales, and has trained in martial arts, focusing on Go Kan Ryu - IMDb Mini Biography By: Sarah Findlay
