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First Day, Bluey Receive 2021 BANFF Rockie Awards

Two Australian children’s television series have taken home prizes at the prestigious 2021 BANFF World Media Festival Rockie Awards.

In a live-streamed ceremony held on June 15, First Day (Epic Films, ABC) was awarded the ‘Live Action: Children (0-10)’ award and Bluey (Ludo Studio, ABC) received the top spot for ‘Animation: Preschool (0-4)’. The programs competed alongside productions from the UK, USA, France, and Canada as sole Australian representatives for their selected categories.

Along with the Children’s winners, Australian adult docuseries Filthy Rich and Homeless (Blackfella Films) and lifestyle series Love on the Spectrum (Northern Pictures) each received Rockie Awards.

The BANFF Rockie Awards recognize excellence in global television and digital content. Each year, entries from more than 45 countries compete, and winners are selected by an international industry jury of 150+ senior entertainment and media professionals.

Last year, ACTF-supported comedy-drama Hardball received the 2020 BANFF World Media Festival Rockie Award in the ‘Children and Youth: Fiction’ category. This year, 100% Wolf (Flying Bark Productions) was nominated for the 2021 ‘Animation: Youth (11-17)’ prize.

The ACTF is thrilled to see Australian children’s content recognised back-to-back at the BANFF Rockie Awards, and congratulates the winning teams on their award success.

First Day is produced by Epic Films in association with KOJO Entertainment for ABC TV, with investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). The ACTF distributes First Day internationally.

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.