STAN AND THE AUSTRALIAN CHILDRENâS TELEVISION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCEâWHALE SHARK JACK
â STARRING ABBIE CORNISH, ALYLA BROWNE AND RACHEL WARD
Abbie Cornish, Alyla Browne and Michael Dorman
Stan and the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation (ACTF) and Screen Australia today announced the Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack, a family feature film is currently in production in Western Australia.
Developed by a Western Australian creative team, including screenwriter and author Kathryn Lefroy (Library of Love) and sibling directors Miranda Edmonds (Library of Love, Tango Underpants) and Khrob Edmonds (Library of Love, Tango Underpants), in their feature directorial debut, Whale Shark Jack is set on and around the breathtaking Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, and is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and the natural world.
The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is the second co-commission with ACTF following on from the award-winning and critically acclaimed Stan Original Film Windcatcher.
Whale Shark Jack stars Abbie Cornish (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Limitless, Robocop) and Michael Dorman (Territory, Joe Pickett) as husband and wife with Alyla Browne (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Sonic the Hedgehog 3) as their daughter Sarah. The family lives an idyllic life on a yacht researching whale sharks, wandering the oceans, and having all kinds of adventures with Sarahâs only friend Jack, a whale shark she rescued as a pup.
Whale Shark Jack follows Sarahâs journey as she tries to recover from an unexpected tragedy and finds herself in the coastal town of Exmouth, WA. She struggles to make new friends and find her feet on land, â and even in the comfort of being back with her great-aunt Dot (played by Rachel Ward), she is desperate to return to her old life at sea. Sarah pegs all her hopes on Jack, certain that when his migration brings him back to Exmouth, her mother will take her out on the boat again. But when Jack fails to return, Sarah embarks on a risky mission to find him.
Abbie Cornish and Alyla Browne
Whale Shark Jack also stars Ursula Yovich (Top End Wedding, The Twelve), Karen OâLeary (Wellington Paranormal), and Rachel Ward (On the Beach, The Thorn Birds) and features emerging talent Jayden Boundry, Luca Miller, Giselle Philogene and Emmi Williams in their first feature film acting roles.
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: âStan is proud to continue our partnership with the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation for this film which is full of heart, adventure, and the power of an unexpected bond with a young girl and her aquatic friend Jack. Set in breathtaking locations in Western Australia, including Exmouth, Whale Shark Jack is an impactful and visually stunning film featuring the immersive world of the ocean, which we are delighted to bring to life for our family viewing audience.â
ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: âWe are thrilled to continue our partnership with Stan on Whale Shark Jack, a one-of-a-kind adventure story set in one of Australiaâs most stunning regions. The beautiful script is full of warmth, friendship, and adventure, and the cast is exceptional. Whale Shark Jack is a truly special family film, and we canât wait for audiences to dive into the breathtaking world of whale sharks with Sarah and her family.â
Screen Australiaâs Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said: âAustralian children need to see their stories, their landscape, and their experiences reflected on screen. This inspiring female-led story is full of adventure and will delight audiences with its heart-full representation of friendship, family, and the beauty of Australiaâs natural environment.â
Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall said: âItâs wonderful to welcome Stan back to Western Australia for another Stan Original Film. Whale Shark Jack is a uniquely Western Australian family story, and we canât wait to see the film showcase our local talent and beautiful coastline to national and international audiences. Congratulations to Miranda, Khrob, Kathryn, and the entire cast and crew!â
The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is produced by Timothy White (The Luminaries, I Am Mother), Miranda Edmonds, and co-produced by Georgia White (The Furnace) and Estelle Buzzard (The Lifeguard). Executive Producers are Bernadette Oâ Mahony for ACTF, Cailah Scobie and Donna Chang for Stan, Kelvin Munro (We Bury the Dead, I Am Mother), Malinda Wink (The Final Quarter, Big Deal) and Associate Producer Hazel Walgar (Shark vs. Snake: Battle of the Bites). Co-Executive Producers are Deanne Weir, Olivia Humphrey, Khrob Edmonds, and Kathryn Lefroy.
The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is produced by Cottesloe Films and Southern Light Films, as part of the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation (ACTF) / Stan Family Film partnership. â Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation and Stan. Financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Government through the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund, and in association with Minderoo Pictures. International sales by the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation.
The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is currently in production in Western Australia.
Mini missions kick off as Knee High Spies goes into production
The ABC, the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation, Screen Australia and VicScreen are thrilled to announce that filming is underway in Melbourne on the new original Childrenâs series, Knee High Spies.
From the award-winning team at Werner Film Productions (Dance Academy) and internationally successful creator Tim Bain (Kangaroo Beach), the series is set to showcase an incredible mix of puppetry, VFX and live action performances.
Across the series, teddy bear Jeremy Buttons and his ragtag team of toy spies must race the clock to save their human family from the mischievous schemes of Machiavellian pet guinea pig, Silver Paw.
Knee High Spies brings together a fresh cast of newcomers alongside favourite performers including Christie Whelan Browne, Mark Samual Bonanno and Ali McGregor. The series is directed by Jack Jameson (Sesame Street) and produced by Nicole Minchin (Fisk).
Featuring fast-paced action, epic missions, interactive puzzle-solving and cuddly, loveable toys, the series will captivate preschool children and their families.
ABC Acting Head of Children and Family, Mary-Ellen Mullane said, âThis is such a wonderfully fresh action-comedy preschool show. We love the way the team is playing with genre and form. Knee High Spies is a sophisticated, ambitious offering, bringing together one of the best teams working in preschool content production on the planet right now.â
Executive Producer Joanna Werner said, âWe are so delighted to be in production for our most technically ambitious production to date, the wonderful preschool series created by Tim Bain, Knee High Spies. Walk around suited puppets, hand puppets, stunt double toys, animatronics, action and VFX, this show has it all and at the heart of it are gorgeous characters who we hope our young audience will fall in love with. We have a brilliant cast and crew led by director Jack Jameson and producer Nicole Minchin, and together with the ABC, ACTF, Screen Australia and VicScreen we canât wait for everyone to see the series."
ACTF Head of Content Bernadette OâMahony said, âFrom Timâs very first pitch, Knee High Spies had us hooked. It was original, relatable, clever and funny. Kids around the world are going to love Jeremy, Silver Paw and their friends as they have their own adventures in the family home, right under the noses of their young owners!â
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, âFrom a powerhouse team with a strong track record of delivering captivating childrenâs content, Knee High Spies has all the ingredients to inspire a new generation of little investigators! Preschoolers will delight in the action-packed adventures of Jeremy Buttons and his ragtag toy team as they solve puzzles and crack codes in this distinctive series.â
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, âVicScreen is thrilled to support Tim Bain and the team to bring Knee High Spies to life. With its distinctive mix of live-action and puppetry, this imaginative new series promises to captivate young audiences. We are proud to continue to back quality childrenâs entertainment and support the Victorian screen industry to bring this terrific new show to the screens.â
Knee High Spies will premiere on ABC Kids and ABC iview in 2025.
Production credit: Knee High Spies is a Werner Films production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia, the ABC and the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation. Produced in association with VicScreen. International sales by the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation (ACTF). Developed with assistance of the ABC and the ACTF. Created, written and co-produced by Tim Bain. Produced by Nicole Minchin. Directed by Jack Jameson. Writers: Tim Bain, Charlotte Rose Hamlyn and Alix Beane. Script producer: Ray Boseley. Executive Producers: Joanna Werner, Stuart Menzies, Bernadette OâMahony. ABC Commissioning Editor: Amanda Isdale.
Rocket Club
Monday 10 March 6.55pm ABC Kids
Whatâs the best way to spend summer break? For Rocket Club, itâs traveling around the galaxy! Tag along with these best friends and turn normal backyard fun into awesome galactic adventure.
School is out! And what better way to spend summer break than with your best friends, saving the day in your very own spaceship out in the wonder of the galaxy!
Meet Rocket Club - A group of brilliant kid inventors and space explorers. Along with their faithful robot TAC, they have the worldâs coolest secret. Underneath their backyard treehouse lies Rocket Clubâs Mission Command, home of StarBird-1, their greatest creation, the only spaceship capable of WUP Speed! Traveling much faster than the speed of light, they can explore anywhere in the Galaxy and be home in time for dinner! Backyard adventures have never been so boundless.
Production credit: Icon Animated Stories Inc
Gardening Australia Junior - Series 2, Episode 11
Friday 14 March 7.05pm
Episode 11: Mindful Garden
Costa and the kids create a space that is for relaxation, reflection and mindfulness. Itâs a place to breathe in nature and forget about your worries.
Gardening Australia Junior Series 2, Episode12
Friday 21 March 7.05pm
You can still have a green thumb if you donât have a garden. Tammy and Pia build their very own rainforest for the bathroom, which will thrive off all the moisture and steam to grow beautiful, oxygen rich ferns.
Hey Duggee - Season 5
Monday 24 March 7.50am
âThe Squirrel Clubâ is run by a big friendly dog called Duggee - a place where kids take part in all kinds of activities, have adventures and earn activity badges all along the way.
The squirrels are admiring Duggeeâs crop of giant carrots when they hear a noise. They find the rabbits busy preparing for the Carrot Solstice. Trouble is, the rabbits need to go and get ready â but who could look after the carrots?
Production credit: Studio AKA
Gardening Australia Junior - Series 2, Episode 13
Friday 28 March 7.05pm
Clarence and the kids explore a tropical fruit farm and learn about how they grow, how to pick them and then feast on fruits theyâve never tried before.
Peppa Pigâs mother Mummy Pig has announced she is pregnant with her third piglet.
Badjelly
Sunday 30 March 8.25am ABC Entertains
When a âhorridibleâ witch named Badjelly kidnaps their beloved cow Lucy, siblings Tim and Rose set out to rescue her, leaving their safe little village to enter the mysterious Dark Forest.
When siblings Tim and Rose enter the nearby woods in search of their beloved cow Lucy, they must team up with a weird and wonderful team of forest-folk to confront a malevolent force terrorising the valley, known as Badjelly. Starring Miriam Margolyes, Julian Barratt and Katherine Parkinson.
Production credit: Mukpuddy, WildBrain
Gardening Australia Junior
Friday 4 April 7.05pm ABC Entertains
Episode 14: Art-Scaping
Hannah and the kids are inspired by a mural in a community garden by a local French artist, Hugues Sineux. They paint pots and add plants to complement the artwork and make the green space even more beautiful.
Good Game: Spawn Squad - Season 3
Saturday 5 April 9.00am ABC Entertains
Saturday 5 April 9.00am
GG: Spawn Squad Series 3 is here, featuring regular members Charlie, Sueann, Amelie, and Ana plus new gamers George, Eden, twins Harry and Mason, and brothers Jack and Oscar.
Gem and Harry are back behind the desk, getting schooled once again by the incredible Spawn Squad crew.
This seasonâs games include Super Mario Wonder, Sonic Mania, Luigiâs Mansion 3, Gang Beasts, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Lego Harry Potter Years One to Four, Little Kitty Big City, Ratchet & Clank, and Super Mario 3D World Bowserâs Fury.With fun challenges, epic boss battles and a whole load of levelling up, GG: Spawn Squad is shaping up to be the biggest and best season yet.
Production credit: ABC Executive producer Lyndal Mebberson, Series Producer Anthony Sedgewick. Producers Mikaela Atallah and Samuel McEwen and Associate Producer Blaise Borrer.
Peppa Pig - Series 10, new episodes
Monday 7 April 7.55am
The new episodes of Peppa Pig include âThe Big Announcementâ where Mummy and Daddy have some very exciting news for Peppa and George, that they are expecting a baby brother or sister.
Production credit: Hasbro
Gardening Australia Junior - Series 2, Episode 15
Friday 11 April 7.05pm
Rainforest Bingo
Clarence and the kids have a scavenger hunt in a rainforest, stopping along the way to learn about the amazing eco system and the animals and plants that live there.
Space Nova blasts off for season two
this April on ABC
The ABC, SLR Productions, Screen Australia and the ACTF are pleased to announce that Space Nova returns for season two at 6am on Thursday 24 April on ABC iview.
Space adventuring siblings Jet and Adelaide Nova are back, along with their parents Josie and Hugo, and this season will see them come face-to-face with even more strange lifeforms, physics-defying phenomena and planets beyond their wildest dreams.
The Nova family are the first humans to meet intelligent extra-terrestrial life â the Stardustians. But while travelling with their new Stardustian friend, Ziggy, their convoy ship is attacked, throwing them off-course and stranding Ziggy in parts unknown. The powerful stardust explosion created during the event causes a dangerous imbalance in the universe, something only Ziggy could heal. The Novasâ new mission is clear: find Ziggy, whatever it takes!
Always free and Always entertaining, discover season one of Space Nova on ABC iview now.
Production credit: Space Nova is an original SLR Productionsâ program, created by SLR Productions and co-produced with Giggle Garage for ABC Australia. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation. ZDF Studios is the international distributor excluding Australia and New Zealand which is handled by ACTF. Post, Digital and Visual Effects supported by Screen NSW. Directed by Pablo de la Torre, Mark Gravas, Gie Santos, Steve Moltzen, Chantelle Murray. Producers: Suzanne Ryan, Yasmin Jones, Juhaidah Jeomin. Executive Producers Suzanne Ryan, Zeno Gabing and Bernadette OâMahony. ABC Commissioning Editor Mary-Ellen Mullane.
Dino Dex
Monday 14 April 7.05am
Dex is a 9-year-old artist, explorer, and âpaleontologist in trainingâ. Like Dan, Trek, and Dana before him, Dex uses his Dino Field Guide to magically see and study dinosaurs in the real world.
Thanks to his artistic eye, Dex wants to reconsider how dinosaurs looked and lived and heâs not afraid to get right into the action to do it. Fortunately, heâs got his geology-loving neighbour Kayla along for this prehistoric ride. Join Dex and Kayla as they re-examine and question everything we thought we knew about dinosaurs.
Production credit: TVO Kids, Sinking Ship
Gardening Australia Junior - episode 16
Friday 18 April 7.05pm
Garden Explorer: The kids are assigned a list of garden tasks to receive clues and riddles to get to the next stage. From identifying plants to making compost tea, this is a magical exploration with Hannah.