Victorian screen content creators are invited to submit applications to create a “proof of concept” for a new short-form children’s live-action TV series.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley today announced Eureka, a joint initiative of Film Victoria, the ABC and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. The program seeks to stimulate more local live-action (non-animation) narrative children’s content that can screen on multiple platforms.
Victorian teams with distinctive concepts that have the potential to become a series and are aimed at children aged 8-12 years will receive up to $30,000 to create a 3-5 minute proof of concept. The concepts will screen on ABC iview, ABC3’s YouTube Channel and, possibly, ABC3.
The concepts will showcase the talents of Victorian teams and will give the public a chance to experience new program ideas in the earliest stage of development. The proof of concepts will be used to test audience and broadcaster appeal and could be the starting point for Australia’s next big children’s series.
Applications for Eureka will open on Monday 26 October and close on 4 January, 2016. Successful projects will be announced in March 2016.
Quotes attributable to
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“This initiative is about supporting local talent to create great new content for children that they can identify with and enjoy.”
Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi
“It’s essential that iconic series with Australian children at their heart continue to be created for future generations, following in the great tradition of Round The Twist, Thunderstone, Dance Academy and, more, recently Little Lunch.”
Commissioning Editor ABC Children’s Television Chris Rose
“ABC Children’s Television is proud to partner with Film Victoria and the ACTF to nurture new talent and ideas from across Victoria. This is a unique opportunity to introduce new concepts to our audience.”
Australian Children’s Television Foundation CEO Jenny Buckland
"We’re delighted to be involved in an initiative that puts the spotlight on live action children’s drama, which is so well loved by kids and their families.”