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First Day, The Unlisted, Play School and Bluey Win 2021 Kidscreen Awards

Australian children’s series First Day (Epic Films), The Unlisted (Aquarius Films), Play School (ABC) and Bluey (Ludo Studio) have received top gongs at the 2021 Kidscreen Awards.

First Day received first prize in the Kids Programming category for Best Live-Action Series. The Unlisted picked up the Tweens/Teens award for Best Inclusivity. Play School received the Best On Air Host (Kiruna Stamell) award and Bluey took home the Pre-School division prize for Best Animated Series, along with three Creative Talent awards for Best Directing, Best Writing and Best Music.

Fellow Australian children’s series The Strange Chores (Ludo Studio) was nominated for Best Animated Series. First Day was also selected as a finalist for a Best Inclusivity award.

Altogether, ABC programs took home seven Kidscreen awards – the broadcaster’s most successful to date. This year the ABC tied with Disney on the number of awards received, pipped only by US network PBS.

Jenny Buckland, ACTF CEO said: “All the winners of the KidScreen Awards should be really proud, and the ABC should be especially proud of the overall result. Their Australian children’s shows across the board are knocking it out of the park right now. Well done to Libbie Doherty and team.”

This year marks the Kidscreen Awards’ eleventh of honouring the best work in children’s television and digital media worldwide. Past winners include Nowhere Boys, The Little Lunch eBook, Dance Academy and The Deep.

The ACTF congratulates the creative teams behind First Day, The Unlisted, Play School and Bluey on well-deserved wins.

First Day is produced by Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment, with investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, the ABC and the ACTF. The ACTF distributes First Day internationally.

The Unlisted is an Aquarius Films production in association with Buster Productions for the ABC. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, ABC, Sinking Ship and Create NSW. The ACTF provides educational resources for the series.

Play School is an ABC Studios production for the ABC.

Bluey is a Ludo Studio production for the ABC, with principal production investment from BBC Studios in association with the ABC and Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen Queensland.