History

The ACTF, incorporated as a non-profit public company in March 1982, has been in operation for more than four decades. Explore our history and legacy through these articles.

When Strange Things Happen by Felix Colgrave

The ACTF invited six artists to create a new work based around their relationship with Australian kids' TV. Here, Felix Colgrave discusses how children's television impacted his childhood and inspired his work, When Strange Things Happen.

Artists celebrate Australian children's television

Explore how Australian artists are influenced by childhood TV through nostalgic fan art of iconic shows. Don't miss these creations!

Series spotlight: First Day

On Hannah Bradford's first day of high school, she experiences all the usual excitement and fear associated with this transition, but her first day is especially significant: Hannah is transgender, and it's the first time she will wear a girl's school uniform and go by her chosen name, rather than the boy's name she was given at birth.

Series spotlight: Dance Academy

A fairytale series featuring dance, drama and music, set against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour: Dance Academy was aspirational viewing at its best. What began as a casual chat between two colleagues over a drink resulted in 65 episodes across three series, a feature film and worldwide success.

“Not suitable for television”: how the ACTF's faith in Round the Twist led to a successful global distribution business

The ACTF distributes children's content all over the world and is renowned for its broad and unique catalogue of high-quality programs. But were it not for the refusal of international sales agents to take on the “rude” and “risky” Round the Twist, the ACTF's global sales business may not exist.