ABCME Kangaroo Beach, the Prime Minister’s daughter, and NITV Little J & Big Cuz AND Barrumbi Kids sat in Parliament this week for the Australian Children’s Television Foundation Showcase, the first since 2018.
Arts Minister Tony Burke hosted the event attended by children, cast members, politicians and film industry professionals.
Joining them were preschoolers, infants, and senators posing for selfies alongside lifeguard cadets Neville and Pounce from Kangaroo beach.
fans of The PM’s daughter met Cassandra Helmot, who plays the lead role of Cat while actor Aaron Fa’Aoso, who voices Old Dog in Little J & Big Cuzhe was also a popular guest.
Arts Minister Tony Burke said: ‘Learning about our stories, our emotions, our places doesn’t start when you reach adult drama – we want people to relate to those stories from the beginning of their lives in this country. We want to make sure these stories reflect the full representation of modern Australia.
“There are First Nations stories that need to be available not only to First Nations children, because it’s essential that they see it on screen, but it’s also essential and wonderful and beautiful that the rest of the nation can share it too. It’s also the wonderful network of immigration stories that we have… we want to make sure that what we see on screen looks like modern Australia. That’s what we mean when we talk about a place for every story.”
ACTF Chair Helen Silver said: “Australians produce outstanding children’s content, including live-action children’s drama and animation, as a direct result of government policies and funding that underpin our industry. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the breadth and diversity of our film industry’s offering to children and the shows we have supported over the past few years. Quality children’s content entertains, engages and inspires young audiences and we know they have many supporters in Parliament. But there’s nothing like bringing shows and children to watch inside the building itself to demonstrate the value of investing in quality content for Australian children.”
