Keisha Castle-Hughes

Thirteen year old New Zealander, Keisha's nomination to the Oscars for her debut movie, Whale Rider, surprised the entire world. She was chosen from among thousands of girls in an extensive school-wide search.



Directed by Niki Caro, the film is the story of Paikea, a Maori girl, who seeks to overcome a thousand-year tradition and become the first female to assume the leadership of her people. Keisha will next appear in Star Wars: Episode III (2005) as Regal Leader. At thirteen, Keisha is the youngest ever best actress nominee in Oscar history.

Select Filmography



2002

Whale Rider