Hardball Series to Screen at MIPJunior

Hardball, a live-action comedy series from Northern Pictures that launched successfully on ABC TV in Australia earlier this year, is set to be available for screening at MIPJunior.

Distributed internationally by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Hardball follows fish-out-of-water Mikey as his friends Salwa and Jerry attempt to make him the best handball player in Western Sydney. While traversing the highs and lows of pre-teen life, the series explores themes of family, multiculturalism and acceptance.

Hardball has sold this year to to TVO in Canada, NRK in Norway, TVB in Hong Kong, RTB in Portugal, RTV in Slovenia and others. The series was selected for screening at the 36th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and has also been announced as a finalist in the Best Children’s Television Program category at the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Awards.

Libbie Doherty, head of children’s at ABC TV, said: “Hardball is crammed full of laughs and celebrates the highs and lows of life on the Handball School Circuit. Set in the suburbs of Western Sydney, Hardball delivers a contemporary view of Australia and the wonderful cultural mix of our country. This series has a lot of gags per page but delivers the punch with a lot of humor and heart. As the number three title on ABC ME iView overall this year, kids have voted with their viewing and it remains one of our most searched for programs on our app indicating that kids continue to seek it out for repeat viewing from word of mouth.”

Marney Malabar, director of TVOkids, said: “Hardball brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences in this clever and funny series. The show is a delightful celebration of diversity, inclusion and friendship through sport.”