The Bureau of Magical Things: magical new adventure begins

17 07 2017 - Media release The Bureau of Magical Things: magical new adventure begins

Julian Cullen, Elizabeth Cullen, Kimie Tsukakoshi, Jamie Carter, Rainbow Wedell and Mia Milnes star in The Bureau of Magical Things

Jonathan M. Shiff, the internationally renowned Queensland producer who helped launch the careers of dozens of young Australian stars in Hollywood, returns to the Gold Coast with a new children's television project: The Bureau of Magical Things.

Jonathan M. Shiff Productions is a world leader in live-action children's series with credits including the global smash hit H20 Just Add Water and its spin off Mako Mermaids.

The Bureau of Magical Things follows the adventures of Kyra, a regular teenage girl who acquires magical powers when caught in a clash between an elf and a fairy. Kyra discovers a secret world of magic exists all around her. When she uncovers a threat to both the magical and human worlds, she must try to unite fairies, elves and humans to save them all.

The 20 part first series will film with a fresh young Queensland cast at Gold Coast and Brisbane locations and in the company's purpose built studio at Arundel.

It is fantastic to be bringing back another local high quality children's series which showcases the enormous talent and beautiful locations of Southeast Queensland. Most importantly, it is vital to bring Australian children their own stories at a time when Australian kids TV is so under threat'' said Shiff.

The cast is led by Brisbane actress Kimie Tsukakoshi (The Family Law) as Kyra. She is joined by Elizabeth Cullen and Julian Cullen, brother and sister off screen and now playing elf brother and sister on screen. The young actors grew up in Cairns before they moved to the Gold Coast to study film.

Mia Milnes and Rainbow Wedell from the Gold Coast headline as gorgeous fairies. Jamie Carter from the Gold Coast plays Kyra's human friend from high school.

The young cast will be joined by experienced actors Nicholas Bell (Mission Impossible II, Wanted), Christopher Sommers (The Water Diviner), Steve Nation (Neighbours) and Melanie Zanetti (The Leisure Class, Tracks).

Jonathan M. Shiff Productions award-winning content has screened in over 170 countries worldwide, entertaining an audience of hundreds of millions and showcasing Queensland locations and lifestyle. Their Mako Mermaids series became the first ever Netflix Original live-action series for children.

We're extremely pleased to see a new live-action kids' series from one of Australia's finest producers of children's television, said Sally Caplan, Head of Production at Screen Australia. The Bureau of Magical Things is sure to continue the incredible success of Jonathan Shiff's previous series, once again captivating audiences around the world.

Graduates of Shiff's productions include Liam Hemsworth and Margot Robbie both seen on The Elephant Princess. H20 stars Phoebe Tonkin and Claire Holt moved on to the US series The Vampire Diaries and its sequel The Originals; their co-star Luke Mitchell to Blindspot and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. They are amongst an impressive list of those who learned about the craft and business of filmmaking on Mr Shiff's sets.

The Bureau of Magical Things will film from July to December, creating more than 200 cast and crew jobs.

Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said the production contributed to a strong local screen industry.

Screen Queensland production investment in The Bureau of Magical Things is expected to inject more than $8.5 million into the state economy, Ms Vieira said.

Jonathan Shiff's previous productions, Mako: Island of Secrets and H20: Just Add Water franchises, have sold to more than 170 countries, with the first series of Mako Mermaids reaching an estimated 150 million worldwide viewers.

Jonathan Shiff's reputation for quality, combined with his dedication to working with Queensland crew in Queensland locations, means The Bureau of Magical Things is on track to be another big success for our state, she said.

The Bureau of Magical Things is supported by principal investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen Queensland. It is presold to Network Ten Australia and German Public Broadcaster, ZDF and distributed worldwide by ZDF Enterprises.

The series is supported by City of Gold Coast Film Attraction Program and was developed with support from Film Victoria.

Media enquiries Rachael Robertson | Assistant to the Executive Producer

61 438 814 834 | jmspa@jmsp.com.au

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Media enquiries Jane Alexander | Senior Publicist

61 2 8113 5833 | 61 400 940 682 | jane.alexander@screenaustralia.gov.au

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61 2 8113 1091 | 61 450 492 745 | clio.ellis@screenaustralia.gov.au

All other general/non-media enquiries Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | info@screenaustralia.gov.au

LINK:	https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2017/07-17-bur...
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