ACTF Publishes 2022-23 Annual Report

In its annual report, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) revealed that it has invested or committed nearly A$10 million ($6.5 million) in production funding during the 2022-23 financial year, as well as investing almost A$600,000 ($390,000) in the development of 20 new projects.

A$3,792,096 ($2.5 million) was spent on production investment, with a further A$6,109,916 ($4 million) committed to projects at the financing stage.

Five ACTF-supported programs premiered during the year—Barrumbi Kids, Crazy Fun Park, Kangaroo Beach season two, 100% Wolf season two and The PM’s Daughter season two—and three ACTF-supported programs went into production—Eddie’s Li’l Homies, Space Nova season two and Little J & Big Cuz season four. A further five ACTF-supported programs were financed during the year, with production to start in the 2023-24 financial year: Windcatcher, Tales from Outer Suburbia, Whale Shark Jack, Runt and Kangaroo Beach season three.

The ACTF invested in the development of 20 projects, with a total spend of A$596,205 ($390,000). Projects to receive funding were a mix of live-action and animation and included four films.

Helen Silver, ACTF board chair,  said: “Most of us take quality Australian children’s screen content for granted. If we didn’t grow up with it ourselves, our children certainly did, and we know just how important it is to have Australian stories for children to watch.

“This report highlights the remarkable range of children’s content we are supporting in development and production and shares our achievements in bringing children’s content to the world through our international distribution arm and into classrooms via the work of our education team. We have a remarkable story to tell across these pages.”

In a section addressed to the ministers, Silver said: “I would like…to draw your attention to the challenges that we face. Most of us take quality Australian children’s screen content for granted. If we didn’t grow up with it ourselves, our children certainly did, and we know just how important it is to have Australian stories for children to watch. It wasn’t until I started working with the ACTF that I became aware of just how vulnerable Australian children’s content is.

“I have discovered that the Australian shows my children watched when they were little were there because of a complex system of support—via funding as well as regulations requiring broadcasters to screen Australian children’s content. No one fully funds Australian children’s content, and commercial platforms have never willingly accepted obligations to screen children’s programs.

“The way we watch content is rapidly changing, and parents and children are telling us they find it difficult to find Australian children’s content amongst all the offerings that are out there. These are complex challenges, requiring us to evolve and respond to changing times. It is imperative that the support mechanisms for children’s screen content are updated to ensure they are effectively delivering for the children’s audience. We need to review the regulatory, funding and discoverability issues to ensure that Australian children continue to find a range of different Australian stories across all the platforms they engage with.”