The federal budget offers no extra support for the screen sector over the next three years apart from modest increases in funding for ABC news and for SBS programming, writes Don Groves for Inside Film.

Bananas in pyjamas, faceless dolls and whirling willies - some of the wildest and most imaginative ideas have originated from Australian children’s TV. Here are just a few of the ways in which Australian children’s television enables creativity.

Mustangs F.C and the forthcoming Hardball are richly enjoyable tales of growing up, whether amusingly arch for primary school graduates or stacked with twists and solidarity for teenage girls, writes Craig Mathieson for The Age.

ACTF Education's live webinars enable teachers and students Australia-wide to connect with industry professionals and expertise, regardless of their school’s location. In our most recent video conference, students from around the country met First Day writer / director Julie Kalceff, and lead actress Evie MacDonald. Here's what was discussed in this compelling Q&A. 

At last one political party supports the screen sector with concrete proposals - and it is the one party which is effectively useless. But the government might do a Fagin to our Oliver Twist on budget night, writes Screenhub's David Tiley.

Upcoming live-action, fish-out-of-water comedy, Hardball, begins this April on the ABC. With it comes a father-son relationship with a lot of heart. Sydneysiders will be able to spot a range of familiar locations in Hardball. The series is filmed and set in Sydney's western suburbs and features its diverse local communities.