Epic Films’ First Day has added an International Emmy to its extensive collection of awards, winning the Best Live Action category.
The four-part ABC series about a 12-year-old transgender student navigating her first terms at high school beat entries from the Philippines, Netherlands, and Argentina to triumph at the October 12 ceremony.
It comes after wins for the series at the Rockie Awards, Rose d’Or Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and the Australian Teachers of Media Awards, as well as two Aacta Award nominations.
Created by Julie Kalceff, First Day was originally commissioned by the ABC, where it aired in March 2020, and is produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser for Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment.
Also involved are director of photography Meg White, production designer Robert Webb, costume designer Renate Henschke, and editor Christine Cheung.
The first season received funding from Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation, the...
The four-part ABC series about a 12-year-old transgender student navigating her first terms at high school beat entries from the Philippines, Netherlands, and Argentina to triumph at the October 12 ceremony.
It comes after wins for the series at the Rockie Awards, Rose d’Or Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and the Australian Teachers of Media Awards, as well as two Aacta Award nominations.
Created by Julie Kalceff, First Day was originally commissioned by the ABC, where it aired in March 2020, and is produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser for Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment.
Also involved are director of photography Meg White, production designer Robert Webb, costume designer Renate Henschke, and editor Christine Cheung.
The first season received funding from Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation, the...
- 10/13/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Epic Films’ First Day has once again been recognised on the global stage, this time among the nominees for the International Emmy Kids Awards.
The series will compete in the Live Action category of the awards, which feature nominees from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
It comes after wins for the series at the Rockie Awards, Rose d’Or Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and the Australian Teachers of Media Awards, as well as two Aacta Award nominations.
There has also been a raft of international sales for First Day, which has been picked up by Hulu for the US, Cbbc in the UK, as well other territories including France, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Israel, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa.
Created by Julie Kalceff, the series follows Hannah Bradford (Evie Macdonald), a transgender girl about...
The series will compete in the Live Action category of the awards, which feature nominees from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
It comes after wins for the series at the Rockie Awards, Rose d’Or Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and the Australian Teachers of Media Awards, as well as two Aacta Award nominations.
There has also been a raft of international sales for First Day, which has been picked up by Hulu for the US, Cbbc in the UK, as well other territories including France, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Israel, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa.
Created by Julie Kalceff, the series follows Hannah Bradford (Evie Macdonald), a transgender girl about...
- 9/7/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
A Beginner’s Guide to Grief is the latest project to be greenlit via Sbs and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative, with an additional six projects selected for further development.
The series, written by and starring Anna Lindner, follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she’s forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn’t play by any rules and soon, neither will she.
Renee Mao directs and the series’ EP and creative producer is Linda Ujuk, working with Kojo Studios colleague Kate Butler. Julie Byrne also produces. The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) has supported the production.
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the upcoming queer dramedy Iggy & Ace,...
The series, written by and starring Anna Lindner, follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she’s forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn’t play by any rules and soon, neither will she.
Renee Mao directs and the series’ EP and creative producer is Linda Ujuk, working with Kojo Studios colleague Kate Butler. Julie Byrne also produces. The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) has supported the production.
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the upcoming queer dramedy Iggy & Ace,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Epic Films’ award-winning First Day will air on France Télévisions and Okoo platforms in the European autumn, thanks to a deal brokered by Apc Studios and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf).
It marks yet another sale for the children’s series, which has also been picked up by Hulu for the US, Cbbc in the UK, as well other territories including Japan, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Israel, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa, with further deals to be finalised soon.
Created by Julie Kalceff, First Day follows Hannah (Evie Macdonald) on her first day of high school. As a transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school but finds the courage to live as her most authentic self.
France Télévisions head of children and youth acquisitions Claire Heinrich said: “This deeply moving story, beyond Hannah’s struggle to be her authentic self,...
It marks yet another sale for the children’s series, which has also been picked up by Hulu for the US, Cbbc in the UK, as well other territories including Japan, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Israel, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa, with further deals to be finalised soon.
Created by Julie Kalceff, First Day follows Hannah (Evie Macdonald) on her first day of high school. As a transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school but finds the courage to live as her most authentic self.
France Télévisions head of children and youth acquisitions Claire Heinrich said: “This deeply moving story, beyond Hannah’s struggle to be her authentic self,...
- 6/24/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
South Australian companies Kojo Studios and Closer Productions are poised to grow after being selected for the first round of the South Australian Film Corporation’s Screen Business Accelerator Program (Sbap).
The two companies will receive business loans of up to $200,000 per year for up to two years under the program, designed to support the growth of established South Australian screen businesses.
The funding can be used for slate funding, business capability, financial planning, engagement and retention of personnel, research and development, marketing, innovation and more.
The announcement comes after the Safc launched the Screen Business Planning and Mentoring Program last year, with Kojo and Closer among the six Sa screen companies chosen to receive specialised business training and up to $5,000 for business mentoring.
At the conclusion of the program, the companies were eligible to apply for the Sbap.
In recent years, Kojo Studios has helped deliver projects such as First Day,...
The two companies will receive business loans of up to $200,000 per year for up to two years under the program, designed to support the growth of established South Australian screen businesses.
The funding can be used for slate funding, business capability, financial planning, engagement and retention of personnel, research and development, marketing, innovation and more.
The announcement comes after the Safc launched the Screen Business Planning and Mentoring Program last year, with Kojo and Closer among the six Sa screen companies chosen to receive specialised business training and up to $5,000 for business mentoring.
At the conclusion of the program, the companies were eligible to apply for the Sbap.
In recent years, Kojo Studios has helped deliver projects such as First Day,...
- 5/28/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Award-winning children’s series First Day and Luke Eve’s ReCancelled are among five projects to share in $1.3 million of online production funding from Screen Australia.
The ABC iview drama about transgender student Hannah Bradford will return for a four-part second series, along with fellow Rose d’Or Award nominee Cancelled, which was inspired by Eve’s experience during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Other projects also include Sunset Paradise, a new series from the creators of YouTube hit Meta Runner; as well as animated children’s series Ginger & the Vegesaurs and comedy series The Emu War.
Screen Australia senior online investment manager Lee Naimo said the projects showcased engaging storytelling across a mix of genres.
“We are always looking for projects that have solid pathways to audience and we are very impressed by the range shown in this slate, whether it’s via platforms such as ABC iview or targeting significant...
The ABC iview drama about transgender student Hannah Bradford will return for a four-part second series, along with fellow Rose d’Or Award nominee Cancelled, which was inspired by Eve’s experience during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Other projects also include Sunset Paradise, a new series from the creators of YouTube hit Meta Runner; as well as animated children’s series Ginger & the Vegesaurs and comedy series The Emu War.
Screen Australia senior online investment manager Lee Naimo said the projects showcased engaging storytelling across a mix of genres.
“We are always looking for projects that have solid pathways to audience and we are very impressed by the range shown in this slate, whether it’s via platforms such as ABC iview or targeting significant...
- 5/11/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
‘First Day’.
The BBC has snapped up the UK rights to Epic Films’ children’s series First Day, to be broadcast on Cbbc.
Originally commissioned by the ABC, First Day follows transgender teen Hannah Bradford’s (Evie Macdonald) first year of high school. Not only does Hannah have to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school and new friendships, but also find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Produced in association with Kojo Entertainment, the series was written and directed by Julie Kalceff, produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser, and co-produced by Kate Butler and Kalceff.
The BBC deal was negotiated by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, adding to other sales including Yle (Finland), Nrk (Norway), Svt (Sweden) and Momokids (Taiwan).
The series builds upon the stand-alone episode commissioned in 2017, which was awarded the Diversity TV Excellence Award for Kids’ Programming at Mipcom...
The BBC has snapped up the UK rights to Epic Films’ children’s series First Day, to be broadcast on Cbbc.
Originally commissioned by the ABC, First Day follows transgender teen Hannah Bradford’s (Evie Macdonald) first year of high school. Not only does Hannah have to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school and new friendships, but also find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Produced in association with Kojo Entertainment, the series was written and directed by Julie Kalceff, produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser, and co-produced by Kate Butler and Kalceff.
The BBC deal was negotiated by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, adding to other sales including Yle (Finland), Nrk (Norway), Svt (Sweden) and Momokids (Taiwan).
The series builds upon the stand-alone episode commissioned in 2017, which was awarded the Diversity TV Excellence Award for Kids’ Programming at Mipcom...
- 7/16/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
(L-r): Kojo group MD Dale Roberts; Stampede Ventures head of international content and worldwide content acquisitions Jp Sarni; Kojo Entertainment producer Kate Butler and Kojo executive director post and VFX Marty Pepper.
Adelaide’s Kojo Entertainment has formed a new joint venture with Greg Silverman’s Us-based Stampede Ventures, aimed at developing a range of internationally marketable features and TV projects based on Australian IP, to be fully produced locally with Australian creatives.
Kojo group managing director Dale Roberts and non executive-director Jamie McClurg connected with Silverman, who used to head up creative development and worldwide production for Warner Bros, on a visit to La. Finding both a strategic and creative fit, the two companies have spent around six to eight months negotiating a new 50/50 business.
“We are very proud to partner with Dale and his team at Kojo for this international partnership,” said Jp Sarni head of international...
Adelaide’s Kojo Entertainment has formed a new joint venture with Greg Silverman’s Us-based Stampede Ventures, aimed at developing a range of internationally marketable features and TV projects based on Australian IP, to be fully produced locally with Australian creatives.
Kojo group managing director Dale Roberts and non executive-director Jamie McClurg connected with Silverman, who used to head up creative development and worldwide production for Warner Bros, on a visit to La. Finding both a strategic and creative fit, the two companies have spent around six to eight months negotiating a new 50/50 business.
“We are very proud to partner with Dale and his team at Kojo for this international partnership,” said Jp Sarni head of international...
- 11/26/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘First Day’ on set.
Written and directed by Julie Kalceff, Epic Films’ ABC children’s series First Day is shooting in Adelaide.
A spin-off of a stand-alone episode commissioned in 2017, the four-part series stars Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford, a 12-year-old transgender girl who is navigating the first term at her high school.
She not only has to face the challenges that come with starting a new school but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Epic Films’ Kirsty Stark, who is producing with Kojo Entertainment’s Kate Croser, said: “Having travelled around the world with the original episode of First Day, it’s fantastic to now be shooting our full series back home in Adelaide.”
Kalceff said: “I feel very privileged to be telling this story. I’m excited about working with Evie again and to have the opportunity to explore Hannah’s journey in more detail.
Written and directed by Julie Kalceff, Epic Films’ ABC children’s series First Day is shooting in Adelaide.
A spin-off of a stand-alone episode commissioned in 2017, the four-part series stars Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford, a 12-year-old transgender girl who is navigating the first term at her high school.
She not only has to face the challenges that come with starting a new school but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Epic Films’ Kirsty Stark, who is producing with Kojo Entertainment’s Kate Croser, said: “Having travelled around the world with the original episode of First Day, it’s fantastic to now be shooting our full series back home in Adelaide.”
Kalceff said: “I feel very privileged to be telling this story. I’m excited about working with Evie again and to have the opportunity to explore Hannah’s journey in more detail.
- 7/9/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Josh Lawson, Evie Macdonald and Grace Feng Fang Juan.
Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two children’s TV series and two online projects.
The slate includes a psychological thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run, and the anticipated film adaptation of Leah Purcell play The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Epic Films has also been supported to turn First Day, which won the top prize at Mipcom’s Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year, into a full series.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s great to see several established creatives taking on new challenges. Daina Reid has had incredible success in television here and overseas, and we’re excited to see her returning to Australia to direct ghost thriller Run Rabbit Run, the debut screenplay from award-winning author Hannah Kent.
Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two children’s TV series and two online projects.
The slate includes a psychological thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run, and the anticipated film adaptation of Leah Purcell play The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Epic Films has also been supported to turn First Day, which won the top prize at Mipcom’s Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year, into a full series.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s great to see several established creatives taking on new challenges. Daina Reid has had incredible success in television here and overseas, and we’re excited to see her returning to Australia to direct ghost thriller Run Rabbit Run, the debut screenplay from award-winning author Hannah Kent.
- 6/25/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Recently, CBS served up the new, official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Scorpion" episode 2 of season 1. The episode is entitled, "Single Point of Failure,” and it sounds like things will get very intense and dramatic as the Governor's daughter gets biohacked with a deadly virus, and more! In the new, 2nd episode press release: The Governor will call on team Scorpion when his daughter is mysteriously "biohacked" with a deadly virus and has only 24 hours to live. Press release number 2: The Governor is going to call on Team Scorpion when his daughter is mysteriously “biohacked” with a deadly virus and has only 24 hours to live. In the meantime, the case is going to take on a deeper significance for Walter after he receives a letter regarding his sister. Guest stars will feature: Joel Gretsch (Governor Lane), Daniel Zolghadri (Young Walter), Emily Robinson (Young Megan) Camille Guaty (Megan O'Brien), Stuart McLean (Mr.
- 9/22/2014
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
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