2024 08 28 – Media release
Andy Lee, his nephews Freddie Miles (left) and George Miles (right), and students at Richmond Elementary School (front row from left: Grace Miller, Manuela Valente, Theodore Ann, back row from left) Nicholas Douglis (left), CeCe Dragovic (right). Photo credit: Daniel Mahon.
Screen Australia and the ABC, in collaboration with VicScreen, Screen NSW and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), have announced four new children’s titles at the Australian Children’s Content Summit in Coffs Harbour.
The three animated and one live-action hybrid programs are all original titles and will be a highlight of ABC’s children’s content in 2025 and beyond.
DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW is an animated adaptation of the hit children’s book series DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK, created by comedian and author Andy Lee and illustrated by Victorian illustrator Heath Mackenzie. is.
The series, aimed at children, will have 12 11-minute episodes and is scheduled to air on ABC Family and ABC iview in 2025.
The animated series “Andrew the Big Big Unicorn” follows Andrew, a wide-eyed, creative and cheerful young rhino, as he lives life as the Big Big Unicorn in the ever-amazing world of Hornsby Downs. Draw a picture of yourself walking.
The series is a production of Pirate Size Productions, Mainframe Studios and Infinite Studios for ABC, CBC and SRC. Created by Dan Nixon and co-produced by Alyssa Smedley, 40 seven-minute episodes will air on ABC Kids and ABC iview starting in 2025.
Another animated series is “Flower & Flower,” which is about a little girl with a big heart, sprinkled with imagination, and just flour. The series follows the daily adventures of imaginative seven-year-old Flower and her best friend Flower, a sack of flour who purrs like a cat. Flower’s parents run Penny and Dirk’s Dumpling House, a popular family restaurant located in the heart of a vibrant inner-city community that embraces the sights, sounds and flavors of many different cultures.
Created by Dan Mansoor, the Cheeky Little Media preschool series will air on ABC Kids and ABC iview in 2026 for 39 seven-minute episodes.
Knee-High Spy is a live-action hybrid children’s series that combines live-action and puppetry from internationally successful author and creator Tim Bain. The series is supported by Werner Film Productions’ strong children’s production team and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).
The series follows teddy bear Jeremy Button and a ragtag team of toy spies as they race against the clock to save a human family from the mischievous plans of Machiavelli’s pet guinea pig, Silver Paw. Featuring fast-paced action, epic missions, interactive problem-solving, and adorable toys, this series will captivate preschoolers and their families. The series is scheduled to air in 2026 on ABC Kids and ABC iview for 20 11-minute episodes.
Grainne Brunsdon, COO of Screen Australia, said: Families across the country can look forward to these four new projects spanning animation and live action. Australian creatives consistently deliver high quality, culturally rich children’s content that resonates around the world. I can’t wait to see these shows captivate a new generation on ABC. ”
Announcing the new show at the Australian Children’s Content Summit, ABC head of screen content Jennifer Collins said: ABC has long been home to some of the best creative and original children’s programming, and these imaginative and distinctive programs are proof of that. We would like to thank our production and funding partners who share our ambition to entertain and inspire the next generation of Australian children. ”
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “Andy Lee’s new animated series ‘Don’t Watch This Show’ spearheads a fantastic line-up of new children’s TV programs supported by the Victorian Government and is a great way to build on our creativity and Showcasing the talent of the film industry. We continue to support quality children’s entertainment and are proud to support the Victorian film industry in bringing these great new stories to our screens. ”
Kyas Hepworth, Director of Screen NSW, said: “Screen NSW is excited to support the team at Cheeky Little Media as they create another engaging and heartwarming animated series for the young and the young at heart to enjoy. Joining our slate of original IP, our slate development program is yet another way in which we enable NSW businesses to move multiple projects into production and ensure a pipeline of outstanding Australian content. A great example.”
Production credits:
Andrew the Big Big Unicorn is produced by Pirate Size Productions, Mainframe Studios and Infinite Studios, an Australian, Canadian and Singaporean co-production company, for ABC, CBC and SRC. Major production investment from ABC in partnership with Screen Australia. Funded by support from Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Mainframe Studios. International distribution, licensing and merchandising led by Kartoon Studios. Developed with support from VicScreen. Created by Dan Nixon and co-created by Alyssa Smedley. Directed by Katrina Hadley. Producers: Michael Hefferon, Bryony McLachlan, Freddie Yeo. Executive producers: Michael Hefferon, Tanya Green, Avril Stark, Michael Wilhan. Co-producer: Nick Cora.
The show is from ABC’s Lee Bones Productions. Screen Australia has made a major production investment in partnership with the ABC and VicScreen. Directed by Leo Baker. Series producer Patrick Crowley. Written by Andy Lee, Jason Marion, Katie Westcott, Melanie Bracewell, and Ray Mattsen. Art director: Heath Mackenzie. Producers are Andy Lee and Greg Sitch. International Sales Lee Bones/Frank World Sales.
Flower & Flour is produced for ABC by Cheeky Little Media. With production funding from Screen Australia and post, digital and visual effects support from Screen NSW. Developed in partnership with ABC and Screen NSW. International distribution by Sinking Ship Entertainment and worldwide licensing by Cheeky Little Commercial. Created by Dan Mansour. Director: Cindy Sharka Screenplay: Dan Mansoor, Wendy Hanna, Amy Stewart, Lawrence Leon Screenplay editor: Sam Carroll. Executive producers: Patrick Egerton, Celine Goetz.
The Knee-High Spy is a Werner Pictures production for ABC. Significant production investment came from Screen Australia, in collaboration with the ABC and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Funded in partnership with VicScreen. International distribution by Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). Developed with support from ABC and ACTF. Created, written and co-produced by Tim Bain. Produced by Nicole Minchin. Directed by Jack Jameson. Screenplay: Tim Bain, Charlotte Rose Hamlin, Alix Bean. Script producer: Ray Borsley. Executive producers: Joanna Warner, Stuart Menzies, Bernadette O’Mahony.
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