ACTF News

The live-action children’s series Barrumbi Kids, based on the popular book series by Leonie Norrington, will premiere on National Indigenous Television (NITV) from Friday 18 November.

Produced by Tamarind Tree Pictures and Ambience Entertainment, Barrumbi Kids is the coming-of-age story of Tomias and Dahlia, two 11-year-old best friends growing up in a remote community in the Northern Territory. Through fishing, schooling, and exploring Country, the children learn about themselves, each other, and living in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures.

Barrumbi Kids is set in the fictional town of Mandjakkorl, bordered by billabongs, rivers and low mountain rock cliffs with a population of just 300. Local author Leonie Norrington penned the novels based on her experience of growing up in a remote Aboriginal community. The series was filmed amid the stunning outback scenery of the lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman peoples around Katherine, Beswick and Barunga.

The 10 x 30-minute series stars young breakout talent Nick Bonson (12) and Caitlin Hordern (14) as Tomias and Dahlia in their debut acting roles.

Supporting cast members include Play School’s Justine Clarke, AACTA Award nominee Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Frances Djulibing, Adrienne Pickering, Christopher Sommers, Sophie Emberson-Bain, Finn Treacy, Penelope Thomas, Serene Yunupingu, Stephen Mahy and Scott Hall. 

ACTF Head of Content Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Barrumbi Kids is a delight to watch, full of fun, action, colourful characters and spectacular scenery, giving audiences across Australia and the world a window into what it’s like to grow up in a remote Top End community. The adventures of Tomias and Dahlia will entertain the whole family.”

Barrumbi Kids premieres on NITV on Fridays from 18 November at 7.30pm (AEDT). The series will be available in full to stream for free on SBS On Demand following the premiere and will be subtitled in Simplified Chinese, Arabic and three Indigenous languages: Northern Kriol, Yolngu Matha, and Torres Strait Creole.

Barrumbi Kids is produced by Tamarind Tree Pictures and Ambience Entertainment for NITV, with major production investment from Screen Australia, NITV and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), in association with Screen Territory and Screen Queensland.