ACTF funds $3.19m in kids series

The Australian Children’s Television Foundation has reported $3.19 million in production funding.

With combined total production budgets of $45 million, the mix of series supported so far includes animation, live action drama and factual content.

Jenny Buckland, CEO of the ACTF, says: “This is the first group of projects that we’re able to support through the Commonwealth Government’s additional investment in children’s television over the next 2 years from 1 July 2021. It’s a tremendously diverse group of shows from producers all around Australia. It is notable that the ABC and NITV are the major broadcast partners in this first group of projects to get off the ground. Our public broadcasters continue to lead the way with their commitment to the children’s audience and these are all outstanding shows, which we know will delight Australian children now and over the years to come.”

The shows include:

Two animation series

A fourth series of the animated series The Deep from A Stark Productions, NSW for the ABC, which will be distributed worldwide by Wildbrain with the ACTF having ANZ Rights including Education Rights;

A second series of the animated series 100% Wolf from Flying Bark Productions NSW for the ABC, which will be distributed worldwide by Studio 100. The major investor is Screen Australia and Screen West is also supporting the series.

Two factual series

Red Dirt Riders, 5 x 15 minutes from Weerianna Street Media, WA, for the ABC and NITV, to be distributed worldwide by ACTF. Other investors include Screen Australia and Screen West;

An as yet unannounced factual series;

Two live action children’s dramas

The PM’s Daughter, 10 x half-hour episodes, from Fremantle, NSW, for the ABC. This series will be distributed worldwide by Fremantle, with ACTF having Australian education rights. The major investor is Screen Australia and Create NSW is also supporting the series.

Barrumbi Kids, 10 x half-hour episodes, from Tamarind Pictures NT and Ambience NSW, for NITV. The ACTF will have worldwide distribution of this series. Other investors include Screen Australia, Screen Territory and Screen QLD.

The ACTF has also committed additional funds this financial year to live action drama series MaveriX, from the NT’s Brindle Films, currently in post-production, for the ABC.