Screen stories to share with your class for International Women’s Day
Held annually on 8 March, International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. These screen stories about change-making Australian girls and women will help primary and secondary teachers explore this year’s theme: Accelerate Action.
Little J & Big Cuz
F – Year 2
Big Cuz is a smart, resourceful, and strong young girl who takes her cheeky younger cousin, Little J, under her wing. As they explore the world around them – at home, at school, and out on Country – Big Cuz leads with confidence, kindness, and cultural knowledge. Whether she’s solving problems, helping her community, or guiding Little J through life’s lessons, Big Cuz is a role model who shows the strength and resilience of young First Nations girls.
Stream it now on SBS On Demand.
RUNT
Years 3 – 6
At just 11-years-old, Annie Shearer is a fixer: she has her trusty toolbelt on her at all times. When her family farm is in trouble, Annie is determined to save it with the help of her best friend, an adopted stray dog named Runt.
Rent or buy RUNT here.
Mustangs FC
Years 5 – 8
Mustangs FC is a goal kicking comedy drama about girls who abandon the sidelines and start their local football club's first all-female team. The series explores the relationship between team members, and the struggle to be taken seriously as an all-girls team.
Download it from the ACTF Shop.
A Field Guide to Being a 12-Year-Old Girl
Years 5 – 8
A Field Guide to Being a 12-Year-Old Girl is a film about 12-year-old girls, made by 12-year-old girls, for 12-year-old girls, or anyone that has been a 12-year-old girl, or will be a 12-year-old girl, or wishes they were a 12-year-old girl. This short film, which converges documentary and theatre, was created by Tilda Cobham-Hervey and twelve 12-year-olds, where real children articulate what they hope for, what they remember and what it feels like to be twelve.
Download it from the ACTF Shop.
The PM’s Daughter
Years 5 – 10
Catalina Parkes Pérez is a teenager who’s like any other, but with one difference: her mother is the Prime Minister of Australia. This female-centred series sees Cat racing to unmask a conspiracy against her mum in Season 1, while Season 2 sees her take on a tech business over unethical AI use.
Stream it now on ABC iview.
First Day
Years 5 – 10
The Emmy-award winning First Day tells the story of Hannah, a 12-year-old transgender girl navigating her first year of high school. In the second season of this groundbreaking series, Hannah’s run for class captain exposes an underlying level of transphobia among her classmates, so she creates a group for LGBTQIA+ students.
Stream it now on ABC iview.
See also:
February 19th 2025
Mischief meets Mission Impossible as Knee High Spies goes into production
An ambitious new children’s series featuring state-of-the-art puppets, animatronics, VFX and live-action performances has begun filming in Melbourne, brought to life by a team of some of Australia’s most experienced kids’ TV creators.
February 18th 2025
Stan and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation announce Whale Shark Jack
Stan and the ACTF have announced the second family feature film to be made as part of their landmark partnership, Whale Shark Jack, is currently in production in Western Australia.
December 3rd 2024
Our top 5 education resources for 2024
Are you mapping out your lesson plans for the new school year? We’re here to help!
December 3rd 2024
Virtual workshops to watch with your primary class
The ACTF delivers fun and engaging virtual learning events, supporting students to learn about how screen stories are told. We’ve rounded up eight of our past workshops which are now available on demand.
November 21st 2024
Australian films and series to watch with your class
As school begins to wind down for the year and attention spans start to wane, share and celebrate Australian stories with your students.