Little J and Big Cuz Wins 2018 Logie Award

Australia’s first Indigenous animated series, Little J and Big Cuz (Ned Lander Media for NITV) has won the 2018 TV Week Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children’s Program.

The series, which explores aspects of Indigenous community and culture, battled it out against Nickelodeon/Foxtel’s Crash the Bash, Get Arty for Channel Seven, Grace Beside Me (also for NITV) and ABC ME’s Mustangs FC.

The 2018 Children’s Program Award is the first Logie for both Little J and its broadcaster, NITV. Since 2014, NITV programs have been nominated each year for an award. This year, with two NITV nominations in the same children’s category, it was Little J that took out the top prize.

Only last week, a second series of Little J and Big Cuz was announced. The new series for NITV and ABC Me is currently in pre-production and scheduled for completion in 2019.

Director Tony Thorne, producer Ned Lander and cast Deborah Mailman, Miranda Tapsell, and Aaron Fa’oaso were among those who accepted the award at the ceremony on the Gold Coast.

In her speech, Miranda Tapsell (the voice of Little J) said receiving the Logie Award was ‘incredible’.

“We are just so excited for [Little J and Big Cuz] to be recognised for the important role it plays in children’s television – for our mob, and for all of you too.”

“I think we can all agree tonight that for young, Aboriginal children in particular, to fall in love with education and to follow their dreams – it’s important for them to see that.”

“Thanks to everyone for making this show possible…and for bringing it all to life,” she said.

Producer Ned Lander closed the acceptance speech with a thanks to the series funders and for public television which made the series happen.

The ACTF would like to congratulate all of the teams involved in this award-winning series.

Little J and Big Cuz – Series 1 is a Ned Lander Media/Old Dog Pictures production for NITV and ABC. The series is financed with support from Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria, ACER and the ACTF.

The Australian Children’s Television Foundation distributes Little J and Big Cuz worldwide.