2024 08 27 – Media release
Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) have announced a new initiative to help children’s content makers develop Australian IP for digital platforms.
Australian children now have access to more content than ever before across a variety of platforms and screens. This initiative will provide emerging and existing children’s content creators with information and strategies to deliver distinctive Australian content for the platforms children use, including YouTube, Roblox and FAST. These platforms have different business models and require unique strategies to engage with your audience. This program provides practitioners with the opportunity to explore and experiment with creative tools and optimized formats that work with these platforms.
Deirdre Brennan, CEO of Screen Australia, said: As the screen landscape evolves, we need to support creators to seize new opportunities and contribute to a sustainable ecosystem for creating children’s content into the future. We are excited to work with our partner ACTF to promote content that is culturally relevant and appropriate for today’s children. ”
ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: “We are ignoring the digital platforms that our children are drawn to at their peril, but to succeed in these areas we need to think differently. What I love about this partnership with Screen Australia is that it encourages the teams involved to experiment in a collaborative environment, where everyone learns and builds each other up, whether new players or experienced. In addition to supporting innovative new content from our players, we believe this initiative will also impact us and the way we support content in the future.”
The Kids IP Incubator project was announced at the Australian Children’s Content Summit in Coffs Harbor this week. Applications will open on Thursday, September 19th.
Screen Australia and ACTF will support up to eight teams with innovative ideas for new IP on digital platforms aimed at engaging children. This initiative demystifies technology and provides education and access to form a different approach to content development. This gives teams the opportunity to learn, research, discuss, and explore IP and formats that work online in a collaborative environment. The initiative includes a bespoke program of webinars and masterclasses, collaborative workshops and individual one-on-one mentorship with leading international content strategists, analysts and marketplace experts.
This initiative has three phases.
Phase 1 – Information Webinar
For those interested in the program, there will be an informational webinar hosted by Screen Australia and ACTF. This session will provide an introduction and discussion of insights, optimization, trends, and opportunities in online children’s content. We also provide practical advice and skills to help applicants create a strong pitch to qualify for the workshop.
Date: Thursday 26th September Time: 10am – 11:30am (AEST) Register: Click here Accessibility: Auslan translation is available for the webinar. If you would like to discuss this or any other accessibility requirement, please contact us at (email protected) or call 1800 507 901.
A recording of this webinar will be made available on the Screen Australia website shortly.
Phase 2 – Workshops, online masterclasses, and development funding
Up to eight teams will be selected to participate in a three-month program including a three-day in-person workshop held at ACTF offices in Melbourne in March 2025. Teams will also receive grants of up to $20,000 for team development. Progress the project through this phase. Following the initial in-person workshop, teams will participate in online masterclasses led by industry experts. A second in-person workshop will be held at the end of the three months, where teams will hone their pitch and be invited to apply for a second round of development funding.
Phase 3 – Next steps
Once this initiative concludes, creative teams will be able to apply for further development or production funding to continue projects developed through the program.
Further information on the application process, eligibility criteria and funding details will be available when the program guidelines are published here on Thursday, September 19th.
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Media inquiries
Maddie Walsh |Public Relations Officer
+ 61 2 8113 5915 | (email protected)
Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
+ 61 428 767 836 | (email protected)
Other general/non-media inquiries
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