Best Children's Television Drama
Subcategory of Australian Film Institute Awards
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Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2010

winner form y separately published work icon My Place Alice Addison , Beth Armstrong , Blake Ayshford , Nicholas Parsons , Jacquelin Perske , Leah Purcell , Tim Pye , Greg Waters , Brendan Cowell , Gina Roncoli , John Alsop , Samantha Lang , Wayne Blair , Dallas Winmar , Tony Briggs , ( dir. Shawn Seet et. al. )agent Australia : Little Leaf Pictures Matchbox Pictures ABC Television , 2009-2011 Z1649817 2009-2011 series - publisher film/TV children's historical fiction My Place, based on the award-winning book My Place by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins, is a thirteen-part drama series that tells the story of one house in South Sydney through the experiences of the children who live there over a 130-year period. My Place aims to show that everyone is part of history and that every place has a story. For Series One.

Year: 2009

winner form y separately published work icon The Elephant Princess Chris Anastassiades , Simon Butters , Sam Carroll , Philip Dalkin , Max Dann , Lally Katz , Joss King , Anthony Morris , Chris Roache , Jonathan M. Shiff Productions (publisher), ( dir. Grant Brown et. al. )agent Australia : Jonathan M. Shiff Productions , 2008-2009 Z1656784 2008-2009 series - publisher film/TV children's adventure fantasy

Alexandra Wilson is a normal girl living in an average suburb. She can sing brilliantly (she's a songwriter at heart). She's funny and driven. Alex's band is her life, and her band-mates, expressive Amanda Tucci and realist JB Deekes, are her closest friends. There's also Marcus, their lead guitarist: he's a year older, and, well, rather attractive. Alex has two grounded parents, Anita and Jim, and one very centre-stage younger sister, Zoe. Life is very normal. But ...

Since birth, Alex has caused a succession of strange, somewhat magical events. Fortunately, she's been able to conceal, ignore, or deny them all. But then Kuru, a young man dressed in exotic robes, and Anala, a decorated adult elephant who has a tendency to vanish now and again, arrive on Alex's doorstep. Kuru explains that Alex is actually Princess Liliuokalani Parasha Khaled Persphone Amanirenas of Manjipoor.

Alex is not so sure about that! But the magical effects she seems to cause have recently blossomed. It's scary. Alex asks Kuru and Anala to leave, but they won't go anywhere. They are under the royal command of Omar, Chief Advisor to the former Queen Nefari, to bring the princess home to rule.

Manjipoor is an exotic, mystical kingdom that exists very close to our world--but not in it. The nation was born six hundred years ago when 'gifted' people (sorcerers, oracles, and witches) fled persecution and created their own territory, and later, for their protection, moved it to a parallel location by magical means!

Kuru's mission is made easier when Alex's parents accept him as an 'exchange student' and he is invited to stay at their home. He does his best to fit in at Alex's school. Alex keeps her identity as a princess a secret from everybody but Amanda and JB, but it's an ongoing problem concealing a wilful, sometimes-invisible elephant in her backyard.

Omar's recent revelation of the existence of Manjipoor's secret princess shocks and threatens Vashan, the last royal relative in a conflicted and dying dynasty, who fully expected to rule. Aided by his skilful servant Diva, Vashan acts--first subtly, then overtly--to prevent his cousin Alex from claiming her inheritance.

Back in 'The Old World'--our world--Kuru's persistence with Alex starts to have an effect. Alex begins to practise and accept her magic--and it often goes awry. It's not easy being a teenager with magical powers! Alex uses her magic to rectify some very teenage-related issues, as well as to bend the occasional rule, but she draws the line at using magic in her music or for the band. They've got to prove they're good enough without it!

Following an encounter in Manjipoor where Alex learns some of the history of her real mother, Queen Nefari, and is introduced first hand to Vashan's enmity, she awakens to the strong qualities developing inside her and the need for her in Manjipoor as a princess.

Simultaneously, Alex, Amanda, Marcus, and JB improve as a band. They get gigs, and Alex's confidence as a singer increases. Alex finds the pull between both worlds conflicting. When Vashan becomes increasingly bold in his endeavours to undermine and overtake Alex, his actions precipitate a series of stunning revelations affecting the lives of Alex, Kuru, Anala, and Omar and the future of Manjipoor. Alex finds she must make a choice about where her real destiny lies ...

Source: Jonathan M Shiff Productions website, http://www.jonathan-m-shiff.com.au/
Sighted: 15/12/2009

Year: 2007

winner form y separately published work icon Lockie Leonard Nine Network (publisher), Keith Thompson , Drew Proffitt , LeeAnne Innes , Sarah Rosetti , Matt Ford , Shelley Birse , Michael Miller , Ken Kelso , David Ogilvy , James Bogle , Tim Pye , Wayne Blair , Peter Templeman , Rhys Muldoon , Ellie Beaumont , Joshua Wakely , ( dir. Tony Tilse et. al. )agent Sydney : Nine Network Essential Viewing , 2007-2010 Z1389794 2007- series - publisher film/TV children's

Based upon the novels by Western Australian author Tim Winton, the series revolves around 12-year-old Lockie Leonard, a surf rat whose family moves to the most remote town on Earth, Angelus. Lockie's convinced that this is a total disaster. He has no friends, a new school, and a house that is truly in danger of disappearing into a swamp. But then Lockie spots the one thing that makes it all okay. This weird little town has the best surf he has ever seen.

Year: 2005

winner form y separately published work icon Holly's Heroes David Phillips , Sam Carroll , Meaghan Smith , John Reeves , Alix Beane , George Tosi , ( dir. Pino Amenta et. al. )agent Australia New Zealand : Gibson Group Nine Network , 2005 Z1881838 2005 series - publisher film/TV

An Australian-New Zealand co-production.

'When 14-year-old New Zealander Holly McKenzie arrives in the Australian seaside town of Woolich, her dreams of playing basketball with the RAMS, one of the best junior basketball teams in the district, are quickly shattered. Determined to prove her ability, Holly forms her own team—the OUTLAWS. With basketball as a backdrop, Holly's Heroes is a funny and light hearted exploration of being the new kid on the block, the importance of friendship, the value of teamwork, first love, and the rewards that come from participation and the simple love of sport. Holly learns that the feeling of belonging she achieves with her team is far more important than simply winning.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2002

winner form y separately published work icon Short Cuts Marieke Hardy , ( dir. Liz Hughes et. al. )agent Australia : Burberry Productions Seven Network , 2002 7496078 2002 series - publisher film/TV children's

'The video camera can be a tool of expression, exploration and communication. But it can also be an instrument of manipulation, secrecy and lies. SHORT CUTS depicts a group of young people facing the normal challenges of growing up, in and out of school, using a camera in all its functions to learn about their lives.'

Source: Screen Australia.

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