ACTF News

Three series supported by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation have been recognised for their excellence with an International Emmy nomination and two local winners ahead of the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

The second season of preschool animation Kangaroo Beach and the comedy-horror series Crazy Fun Park have been selected as national winners at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Kangaroo Beach S2, produced by Cheeky Little for the ABC, won Best Animated Program (2D or 3D). Crazy Fun Park, produced by Werner Film Productions for the ABC, won Best Children’s Program.

Both series will now compete against the best programs from 17 nations as finalists for the Grand Awards, to be held in Singapore on 7 December.

It’s the second year in a row that Kangaroo Beach has been recognised at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, with the Kangaroo Beach Summer Special winning in the same category in 2022.

Meanwhile, the natural history series Built to Survive has been nominated for an International Emmy Award in the Kids: Factual & Entertainment category. 

Built to Survive is a 10-part series, produced by Butter Media and Breslin Media for the ABC. It follows outback adventurer, biologist and third generation Indigenous educator, Phil Breslin, as he braves some of the country’s most extreme and hostile environments in search of the ultimate animal survivors: species that have evolved to withstand Australia’s extreme conditions and unique ecosystems.

The International Emmy winners will be announced at a gala event in New York on 20 November.

ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: “Australian children’s television really punches above its weight on the international stage and is watched and loved by audiences right around the world. From animation and live-action to factual, Australian creators are kicking goals across every genre of children’s television, and we’re thrilled to see these exceptional programs recognised for their excellence.”

Congratulations to the teams behind these wonderful series!