BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE
SYNOPSIS
The defining satirical voice in Australia and New Zealand, John Clarke famously gave away very little about his own life. At home, by contrast, he was an open book.
Through a remarkable series of recorded conversations between John and his daughter, writer/director Lorin Clarke, we trace his steadfast resistance to authority back to his childhood; unpack his controversial decision to leave New Zealand for Australia in 1977; and gain delightful insights into his forty years in the entertainment industry. Weaving together personal anecdotes, a rich television archive, tales from international comedy greats and the riches from more than 200 boxes of his work and letters, this film is a daughter gifting her father back to the audience.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
A documentary from the Film Company and Lorin Clarke Productions. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from VicScreen, MIFF Premiere Fund and Soundfirm. Written and directed by Lorin Clarke. Produced by Richard Keddie. Edited by Aleck Morton. Music composed by David & Sam Hirschfelder. Executive Producers: Cass Avery, Kelly Rogers, Helen McDonald, Lucia Clarke and Lorin Clarke. ABC Commissioning Editor: Jo Chichester. ABC Head Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones. Local distribution by Rialto.
ROLF HARRIS: CAN YOU TELL WHAT I AM YET?
SYNOPSIS
This two-part documentary delves into the life of Rolf Harris, exploring both his meteoric rise to fame, and the downfall that followed. An Australian-born entertainer, Harris captivated audiences for over 60 years; with his signature wobble board, folksy charm, and hits like “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport,” he became a household name in the UK. However, a dark secret lurked beneath the surface of his cheerful persona. In 2014, Harris was convicted of indecently assaulting women and girls, shattering his public image. At its heart, this series is a revealing exploration of the power afforded to celebrity, the courage of victims, and the lasting impact of abuse.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Commissioned by the ABC. A Northern Pictures and Arrow Media production. Major production investment from Screen Australia, the ABC and Amazon UK. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Archive Producer: Kirrily Brentnall. Story Producers: Kerrie Ritchie and Fiona Evans. Series Director: Nick Sweeney. Executive Producers: Karina Holden and John Smithson. ABC Commissioning Editor: Stephen Oliver. ABC Head Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones.
TAMPA: THE BOAT THAT TURNED THE TIDE
SYNOPSIS
On its 25th anniversary, this is the explosive story of the 2001 Tampa crisis and its global impact today as the world grapples with a massive migration crisis. The 2001 Tampa crisis was not just a dramatic eight-day showdown at sea that triggered a diplomatic standoff between Canberra, Jakarta and Oslo; its shockwaves continue to reverberate around the world to this day. Alongside the harrowing testimonies of the Tampa survivors — the emotional heart of the series — key eye-witnesses take us inside the decisions that triggered the crisis, put lives at risk and controversially deployed the military.
Anchored by the ABC’s Sarah Ferguson, these ‘insiders’ take us behind the scenes to reveal the political machinations and legal manoeuvrings that enabled John Howard to circumvent international law and human rights obligations that Australia had helped forge at the UN Refugee Convention in 1951. But its impact went way beyond that. A quarter of a century later, the Howard government’s handling of the Tampa has become a template adopted and adapted by other global leaders facing the increasingly vexed issue of asylum seekers. Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Viktor Orban, Geert Wilders, Nigel Farage and Donald Trump have all proposed policies that can be traced back to Australia in 2001. This anti-immigration lurch is happening at a time when waves of asylum seekers and refugees — dislocated by wars, civil unrest and climate change — are threatening the stability of Western democracies and undermining the post-WWII order. In short, long before Australia stopped the boats, this was the boat that stopped Australia… and has turned the tide across much of the globe.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Commissioned by the ABC. A Mint Pictures Production. Major production investment from the ABC. Anchored by Sarah Ferguson. Series Producer: Ili Bare. Series Director: Kriv Stenders. Executive Producers: Dan Goldberg, Craig Graham and Sarah Ferguson. ABC Executive Producer: Stephen Oliver. ABC Head Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones. Worldwide Distribution by ABC Commercial.
ABC YOUNG PERFORMERS AWARDS
SYNOPSIS
As part of ABC Classic’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2026, the ABC Young Performers Awards return — reimagined and reinvigorated by ABC Classic. This landmark event will once again spotlight Australia’s most exceptional young musicians, reaffirming ABC Classic’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and inspiring the next generation of classical music lovers. With a bold new approach designed to amplify impact and reach, the revitalised YPAs mark a defining moment in ABC Classic’s ongoing mission to champion artistry, excellence, and the future of Australian classical music.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
An ABC Production. Executive Producer Music and Commissioning Classic and Jazz: Casey Green. Head of ABC Classic and Jazz: Philip Noyce. ABC Head Arts, Music & Events: Kath Earle.