Screen content that accurately and authentically reflects the modern-day adolescent experience has never been as important as it is right now as so many teenagers battle mental health issues.

As the ACTF’s Development Manager working on Barrumbi Kids, I had the honour of being able to visit the communities and attend the first screenings of the series, as the people on whose lands the show was filmed, and who helped bring its story to life, experienced seeing it on screen for the first time.

Both the picture book and the My Place television series have become embedded texts in Australian classrooms, capturing the imaginations of students and teachers alike. ACTF National Curriculum Manager Janine Kelly explores the educational legacy of the My Place story.  

Jointly presented by the Australian Association for the Teaching of English and the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association, the ‘Hearts, Minds, Stories: Landscapes of Learning’ conference was held in Darwin earlier this month. Here, the ACTF Learning team reflects on the event from the perspectives of sponsor, exhibitor and presenter.

In less than a decade, television has undergone a revolution. The introduction of streaming video services, such as Netflix, Stan and Paramount+, has changed how television is made, distributed, and watched in Australia.

When it comes to film and television, Australia is teeming with talent. In fact, it’s rare that an IMDB deep dive won’t turn up an actor or crew member who was born or bred down under – and some of our most successful screen professionals began or grew their careers with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).