ACTF News

ACTF News

Register now for our Term 3 learning events
Jun 20, 2023
Register now for our Term 3 learning events

This term we are offering free virtual learning events and the My Place Competition for primary and secondary students.

Rtt S3 Ps 3306 870x489px-jpeg

Round the Twist, Storyboards and VFX (Years 5-8)

Storyboards use visuals to effectively communicate ideas during the filmmaking process, producing a blueprint for cast and crew ahead of shooting scenes. VFX (visual effects) and SFX (special effects) take a lot of planning and creative problem solving. The storyboards for Round the Twist were integral in the production of all the wacky and fun moments in the beloved series. From creepy dolls, to glowing cabbage patch babies, skateboarding brains, dragons and ghosts (just to name a few!)

Join ACTF and ACMI in this virtual workshop to explore the award-winning television series Round the Twist. During the session, students will learn the importance of storyboarding when creating VFX and SFX, they will explore original hand-drawn storyboards and hear from Dennis Nicholson (VFX Supervisor for Round the Twist Series 3 & 4). ACTF and ACMI educators will then share tips and tricks on how to create similar VFX in your classroom.

Full details and registration here.

Nadia-wheatley-2022 870x489px

Book Week Event: Storytelling with Nadia Wheatley (Years 3-6)

Both on the page and on screen, My Place tells the story of an Australian community through the eyes of the diverse children who lived there over time, highlighting the ways that people and places shape our personal, local and national histories.

Hosted by the ACTF and ACMI, this virtual learning event for 2023 Book Week gives students the chance to learn from award-winning author, Nadia Wheatley. Nadia will discuss the screen adaptation of My Place and share her own approaches to storytelling and writing. Students will complete a short writing task and have a chance to ask Nadia their questions.

Full details and registration here.

1938 Thommo Colum Big Tree 1 870x489px2023 My Place Competition (Years 1-8)

Our 2023 competition theme is ‘Play and Imagination’. Entrants are asked to explore how children throughout history have used their imaginations to play, and what their play might tell us about life in the past, present and future.

Jointly presented by the ACTF and ABC Education, the 2023 My Place Competition is open to primary students in Years 1 – 6, secondary students in Years 7 and 8, and special education students of all ages.

Participants are invited to submit a short piece of creative writing which responds to the theme via the competition page between 28 August – 29 September.

Find full details on the competition page.

See also:

June 16th 2023

Stan and ACTF catch the wind in the first Stan/ACTF original family film

The heartwarming tale of a young Aboriginal boy growing up in a regional Australian town has been selected as the first family film to be made under the Australian Children’s Television Foundation/Stan Original Film Initiative, announced in 2021.
June 16th 2023

Michelle Lim Davidson appointed to the ACTF Board

The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts, has announced the appointment of Michelle Lim Davidson to the Board of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
June 15th 2023

Feature interview with The PM’s Daughter star Cassandra Helmot

The PM’s Daughter is back for a second term, with Season 2 of the political comedy-drama premiering on ABC ME and iview this month. Lead actor Cassandra Helmot joined us at the 2023 ACTF Parliament House showcase where she told us the second season was just as much fun to film as it is to watch. 
June 15th 2023

Children’s television on the agenda at Australian Parliament House

Kids, cast members, politicians and screen industry professionals came together at Australian Parliament House this week to celebrate local children’s content at a special event hosted by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) and Minister for the Arts Tony Burke.