Screen Australia Invests $2.3 Million in Kids’ Projects

Screen Australia has selected two live-action series and two animated children’s projects that will share in A$3.2 million ($2.3 million) of production funding.

The projects include Surviving Summer, a ten-part live-action series for Netflix from Werner Film Productions in association with ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE). The series was developed, produced and filmed on location in regional Victoria with support from Film Victoria, and ZDFE is managing international sales.

100% Wolf: The Book of Hath is a 26-part second season of 100% Wolf from Flying Bark Productions for ABC ME. This project is financed in association with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and with support from Screenwest. Studio 100 Media is handling international sales.

Kangaroo Beach—Summer Special is a double-length special episode of the hit animated children’s series Kangaroo Beach from Cheeky Little Media for ABC Kids iview. The creative team comprises Kangaroo Beach directors David Webster and Steve Moltzen, writer and creator Tim Bain, producer Celine Goetz and executive producer Patrick Egerton. They are joined by director Stephanie Davidson.

Tom Weekly Versus… is a 20-part series for ViacomCBS based on the best-selling book series by Tristan Bancks, optioned and brought to the screen by Northern Pictures (Hardball). Tom Weekly Versus… is financed with support from Screen NSW with ViacomCBS Networks International managing international sales.

Screen Australia’s head of content, Sally Caplan, said, “We are proud to announce this impressive lineup of children’s titles as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting quality Australian screen stories for young audiences. It’s important that Australian kids can see their stories and experiences reflected on screen, and families around the country will be in for a treat with these new projects. Northern Pictures are going from strength to strength. Building on the success of Hardball, they are now set to bring the popular book series Tom Weekly to the screen. We have Surviving Summer from the talented team at Werner Film Productions, which is sure to captivate teens here and around the world, and fans of Kangaroo Beach and 100% Wolf will be delighted to see more of these entertaining stories coming to the ABC.”