28 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce four new children's programs
Andy Lee at Richmond Primary School with his nephews Freddy Miles (left) and George Miles (right), and students, at front from left, Grace Miller, Manuela Valente, Theodore Ang and back Nikolas Daglis (left) and Cece Dragovic (right). Photo credit: Daniel Mahon.
Screen Australia and ABC in association with VicScreen, Screen NSW and the Australian Children s Television Foundation (ACTF) have announced four new children's titles at the Australian Children's Content Summit in Coffs Harbour.
The programs, three animations and one live action hybrid, are all original titles and will be highlights of the ABC's Children's content slate in 2025 and beyond.
DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW is an animated adaptation of the successful children s book series DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK, created by comedian and author Andy Lee and illustrated by Victorian illustrator Heath McKenzie.
The series, aimed at kids, will have 12 eleven-minute episodes and is set to appear on ABC Family and ABC iview in 2025.
Animated series Andrew the Big BIG Unicorn follows Andrew, a wide-eyed, joyful young rhino bursting with creativity as he navigates life as a big BIG unicorn in the ever-surprising world of Hornsby Downs.
The series is a Pirate Size Productions, Mainframe Studios and Infinite Studios production for the ABC, CBC and SRC. It was created by Dan Nixon and co-created by Alyssa Smedley, and will see 40 seven-minute episodes screen on ABC Kids and ABC iview from 2025.
Another animation series is Flower & Flour which takes a little girl with a big heart, sprinkles in some imagination, and just adds Flour. The series follows the everyday adventures of imaginative seven-year-old Flower and her best friend Flour - a purring bag of flour that acts like a cat. Flower's parents run Penny and Dirk s Dumpling House , a much-loved family restaurant at the heart of a vibrant inner-city community embracing the sights, sounds and tastes of many cultures.
Created by Dan Mansour, this pre-school series from Cheeky Little Media will have 39 seven-minute episodes screening on ABC Kids and ABC iview in 2026.
Knee High Spies is a live action hybrid preschool series combining live-action and puppetry, and comes from internationally successful writer and creator Tim Bain. The series is backed by the powerhouse kid's production team at Werner Film Productions and the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF).
The series follows teddy bear Jeremy Buttons and his ragtag team of toy spies as they race the clock to save their human family from the mischievous schemes of Machiavellian pet guinea pig, Silver Paw. Featuring fast-paced action, epic missions, interactive problem-solving and cuddly, loveable toys, the series will captivate preschool children and their families. The series will have 20 eleven-minute episodes screening on ABC Kids and ABC iview in 2026.
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said, It's vital that Australian kids can see their stories and experiences reflected on screen. Families across the country are in for a treat with these four new projects, spanning animation and live-action. Australian creatives consistently deliver high-quality, culturally rich children's content that resonates globally. I can't wait to see these shows captivate a new generation on the ABC.
ABC Head of Screen Content Jennifer Collins, who announced the new shows at the Australian Children's Content Summit, said, I can't wait to see this slate of incredible children's programs come to life. The ABC has long been the home of the very best creative and original children's programming and these imaginative and distinctive shows are testament to that. I would like to thank our production and funding partners who share our ambition to entertain and inspire the next generation of Australian children.
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, Andy Lee's new animation series DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW leads a terrific lineup of new children's TV shows supported by the Victorian Government that showcase our creativity and screen industry talent. We are proud to continue to back quality children's entertainment and support the Victorian screen industry to bring these wonderful new stories to our screens.
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said, Screen NSW are thrilled to support the team at Cheeky Little Media create another engaging and heartwarming animation series for the young, and young at heart, to enjoy. Flower & Flour joins the exciting slate of original IP from Cheeky Little Media and is another great example of how our Slate Development Program enables NSW companies to move multiple projects into production, ensuring there is a pipeline of standout Australian content.
Production credits:
Andrew the Big BIG Unicorn is a Pirate Size Productions, Mainframe Studios and Infinite Studios Australian-Canadian-Singapore co-production for the ABC, CBC and SRC. Major production investment from ABC in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Mainframe Studios. International distribution, licensing and merchandising led by Kartoon Studios. Developed with assistance from VicScreen. Created by Dan Nixon, Co-Created by Alyssa Smedley. Directed by Katrina Hadley. Producers: Michael Hefferon, Bryony McLachlan and Freddie Yeo. Executive Producers: Michael Hefferon, Tanya Green, Avrill Stark, Michael Wiluan. Co-Producer: Nick Colla.
DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW is a Lee Bones Production for ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with ABC and VicScreen. Directed by Leo Baker. Series Producer Patrick Crawley. Written by Andy Lee, Jason Marion, Katie Westcott, Melanie Bracewell and Ray Matsen. Art Directed by Heath
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