ACTF News

The new animated series Shaun Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia and the fourth series of beloved preschool animation Little J & Big Cuz have been selected for the prestigious Prix Jeunesse International Festival in Munich.

Tales from Outer Suburbia has been selected in the 7-10 Years Fiction category, while Little J & Big Cuz Series 4 has been selected in the Up to 6 Years Fiction category. The programs will be screened alongside over 60 other children’s programs from across the world during the Prix Jeunesse week in late May.   

In Tales from Outer Suburbia, Klara and Pim move to the suburbs with their mum Lucy. But their new neighbourhood isn’t what it seems. The kids face weird encounters and wondrous experiences as they struggle to stick together and adjust to their new lives.

Little J & Big Cuz is an animated children’s television show about two Indigenous Australian kids living with their Nanna and Old Dog, exploring the world around them and learning all about culture, community and country.

The Prix Jeunesse International is the oldest children’s and youth television festival worldwide, recognising the most outstanding and innovative children’s screen media. Tales from Outer Suburbia and Little J & Big Cuz Series 4 were selected from more than 400 entries.

The 2026 event will take place from 29 May – 3 June.

Tales from Outer Suburbia is a Highly Spirited and Flying Bark Productions production for the ABC and BYUtv. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation in association with the ABC and BYUtv. Produced in New South Wales and Western Australia with Siamese and financed with support from Screenwest. International sales by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Adapted from Shaun Tan's multi-award-winning book Tales from Outer Suburbia. Directed by Noel Cleary. Creative Director: Shaun Tan. Producers: Sophie Byrne and Alexia Gates-Foale. Co-producer: Francesca Hope. Executive Producers: Barbara Stephen, Bernadette O’Mahony, Andra Johnson Duke, Francesca Hope, Jeff Simpson, Julia Adams, Karen Vermeulen, Libbie Doherty.

Little J & Big Cuz is a Ned Lander Media production for NITV and ABC Children and Family. Principal production funding from Screen Australia. Developed and produced with assistance from Screen Tasmania, Vicscreen and Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) in association with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). Educational sales by Australian Council for Educational Research. Distributed by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.