Australian Children’s Content Summit Adds to In Conversation Lineup

Leah Purcell, Karissa Valencia and Kevin Lerdwichagul are set to headline the In Conversation sessions at the Australian Children’s Content Summit, taking place from August 25 to August 28.

“This year’s In Conversation lineup brings together an extraordinary mix of global storytellers and industry leaders,” said Suzanne Ryan, CEO of SLR Productions and founder of the Australian Children’s Content Summit. “With 260 delegates from ten countries, the Australian Children’s Content Summit has become a vital platform for connection, collaboration and creative exchange in the children’s and family content industry.”

“These sessions not only inspire but also help set the agenda for how we grow and sustain our sector into the future.”

Purcell is the creative director of Oombarra Productions. Valencia has executive-produced Netflix’s Spirit Rangers and has credits on Doc McStuffins, Vampirina and T.O.T.S. Lerdwichagul is the CEO and co-founder of Glitch Productions (The Amazing Digital Circus, Murder Drones).

Kyas Hepworth, head of Screen NSW, will moderate the session with Purcell. During the session, Purcell will reflect on her creative journey, explore the power of cultural authenticity in children’s and family storytelling and share insights from her diverse body of work.

“I’m excited to not only guest speak about my journey at my first Australian Children’s Content Summit but to attend sessions and meet the movers and shakers in the children’s and young adult screen content space as I begin my journey to take and sing up my First Nations films, TV and digital gaming to the world,” Purcell said.

“Screen NSW is thrilled to support the Australian Children’s Content Summit for a third year, and I’m looking forward to taking the stage with one of Australia’s most trailblazing creatives, Leah Purcell,” Hepworth commented. “During this session, we will hear insights into her craft and how she brings her incredible skills and authenticity to all her creative projects, across many formats and genres. This is one of the many standout opportunities available at the Australian Children’s Content Summit, which brings together practitioners from across the screen industry together to collaborate, connect and celebrate the children’s and family content industry.”

Valencia will join Cieron Cody, senior commissioning editor at NITV, to share her creative journey, explore the intersection of cultural authenticity and preschool storytelling and engage in a cross-cultural exchange on the parallels between Native American and First Nations Australian storytelling traditions, particularly in environmental and community-driven narratives.

“I’m incredibly honored to be part of this year’s Australian Children’s Content Summit,” Valencia said. “It’s a joy to be in community with fellow creatives who are passionate about telling meaningful stories for kids. I’m especially excited to connect with Indigenous storytellers and explore the parallels between Native American and First Nations Australian traditions. There’s so much we can learn from each other, and I’m excited to listen and share.”

Lerdwichagul, who leads his company’s business strategy and creative vision, will be joined by Flying Bark Productions’ president and CEO, Barbara Stephen.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Australian Children’s Content Summit for the third year running—it’s such a special event for our industry,” Stephen said. “I can’t wait to join Kevin on stage to delve into his incredible career in the digital content space. Glitch Productions is truly at the forefront of animated storytelling for teens and young adults and exploring the origin story of this trailblazing Australian independent studio will be a real highlight of the summit.”