ABC Australia is diving into fantasy and factual with the latest two additions to its programming lineup.
The broadcaster has commissioned a mixed-media project called Cool Stuff with Fizzy & Suds from Aussie prodco Tilt Media and Entertainment. Slated to launch in 2024, the series targets preschoolers and neurodiverse audiences with an “enquiry-led play” approach that emphasizes curiosity and asking questions.
Fizzy & Suds, which received funding from the ABC and Screen NSW, centers around a pair of CG-animated bubbles in real-world surroundings, where they encounter and learn about kid-life staples like trains, trucks, ballet and dinosaurs.
The ABC has also picked up Super Happy Magic Forest (52 x 11 minutes) for its seven-plus audience from Tiger Aspect Kids & Family and Italy’s Movimenti, which are co-producing the series with broadcast partners BBC and Rai Kids.
This 2D-animated series is based on Matty Long’s same-name fantasy books about a faun, a fairy and a unicorn on a quest to find mystical crystals. The toon presold to Canal+ in February and has also been picked up by German broadcaster ZDF.
In other down under news, Australia’s public broadcaster is getting behind the first-ever Australian Children’s Content Summit, which will be held in Coffs Harbour, NSW this year from August 29 to 31. Buyers from ACTF, Netflix and BBC are also set to attend, according to a release. The event launches at a time of significant growth for Australia’s screen sector, which saw more funding opportunities and a budget increase for its ‘Location Offset’ scheme announced as part of the national budget earlier this month.
Actor Russell Crowe is also funding a new US$400-million studio complex in Coffs Harbour, which breaks ground in 2024. The facility is set to include five sound stages and studios for animation and post-production. It has already been dubbed “Aussiewood” by the domestic industry.