LOL is an exciting new scripted sketch comedy currently in production in Melbourne, produced by Wendy Harmer and Jigsaw Entertainment, with the ACTF. The half-hour episodes are aimed at children aged 10 to 15 years.

LOL is presented by a cast of regular teens who draw on their strong comedic skills to create this fresh, funny and unpredictable show.

The series has been written by a collection of Australia’s most experienced comedy writers, rising star comedy performers and raw comedic talent, creating a process designed to mentor the comic writers of the future.

The 13 x 24 minute episodes will be screened on ABC3 in 2012 and distributed internationally by the ACTF.

Television NewsIssue no.121 | October 2011

MIPCOM international sales Mal.com on air Dance Academy nominated for EmmyInside:

in productionLOL (Laugh Out Loud)

Above: Rowan Hills and Mia AlbersBelow: Hayden Mckertish and Rowan Hills

Dance Academy Sunday 5.30pm on ABC1

My Place Series 2 Sunday 5pm on ABC3

Noah & Saskia Friday 10.30am on ABC1

Dukes of Broxstonia Series 2 Now showing on ABC3

2 | October 2011

The popular drama series Dance Academy has been nominated for an Emmy award in the Children and Youth category at the 39th International Emmy Awards. The awards are among the most prestigious for the television industry and will take place on Monday 21 November 2011 in New York.

Dance Academy producer and co-creator, Joanna Werner, said: “This is an amazing recognition. All of the cast and crew worked incredibly hard on the filming of Dance Academy and we are extremely proud the series has received this prestigious nomination.”

Premiering on 31 May 2010 on ABC1, the first series of Dance Academy proved very popular both locally and internationally with sales to Germany, Ireland, Belgium, France, Finland, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Norway and Portugal.

Produced by Werner Film Productions, series two is currently in post production and is set to premiere on ABC3 in 2012. Seen through the eyes of lead actress, Tara Webster, the second year at Dance Academy focuses on the students competing to be part of Prix de Fonteyn, the world’s most prestigious ballet competition.

what’s on?

nominated for international emmy award

Dance Academy

In 2010 the ABC, ScreenWest and the ACTF launched the West Coast Kids iniative, inviting production companies in Western Australia to submit concepts for a sitcom pilot series for ABC3, to be produced in the ABC studios in Perth. October 2011 | 3

International Sales

Flea-Bitten!Running time: 52 x 12 mins Production Company: Moody Street Kids Genre: Animation, Comedy Language: English Sold to: True Visions Public Company Limited (UBC Kids) – Thailand

My Place series 1Running Time: 13 x 24 mins Production Company: Chapman Pictures Pty Ltd Genre: Drama, Live Action Language: English Sold to: RTB Brunei and Strong Technologies for Nigeria

My Place series 2Running Time: 13 x 24 mins Production Company: Chapman Pictures Pty Ltd Genre: Drama, Live Action Language: English Sold to: RTB Brunei and Strong Technologies for Nigeria

at mipcom

the actF catalogue Proved PoPular at MiPcoM again this year with successFul international distriBution sales Made to the Following territories:

On Friday 21 October, series one of Dance Academy won the Best Children's Fiction Television Program at the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Awards. Dance Academy was nominated along with ACTF associated programs Dogstar (Media World Pictures), and Lockie Leonard 2 (Goalpost Pictures Australia). Congratulations to the finalists and to the Dance Academy team for their award.

atom awards 2011

4 | October 2011

3rd floor, 145 smith street, fitzroy, Victoria 3065

t 03 9419 8800 f 03 9419 0660e info@actf.com.au w www.actf.com.au

Mal.com on airMalcom Mann has a massive mechanical secret - he is actually a robot! When three teens discover that everyone’s favourite TV superstar is a Male Artificial Lifeform, an offbeat family is born!

In exchange for keeping quiet, Jake, Daisy and the Kid move into Mal’s celebrity home and pretend to be his children. The rules are simple, as long as Malcom is recharged, defragged and nosey strangers are kept away from his house, the kids are free to do what they like. They soon learn that living with a robot isn’t just about getting an artificial intelligence to do your homework. The kids have a lot to teach Mal about being human and

together, they all have a lot to learn about becoming a family.

Mal.com stars Geoff Paine as TV3s most popular host, Malcom, Danielle Carter as ruthless producer, Holly, Luke Ledger as wheeler dealer, Jake, Ruby Hall as wannabe starlet, Daisy and Gwy McKenna as the seriously feral, Kid.

Mal.com was developed and produced through West Coast Kids, an initiative of ScreenWest, ABC TV and The ACTF. The series was produced by Susie Campbell of Animazing Productions.

Premiering on ABC3 in October, Mal.com is a sitcom for a new generation of comedy fans.

The World’s Largest Short Film Festival is accepting entries from filmmakers aged 15 years and under for the 2012 competition.

To be eligible, your film must feature the Trop Jr Signature Item for 2012 – Juice.

Entries close Thursday 5 January. Enter now at www.tropjr.com

troP jr: 19 FeBruary 2012

At its meeting on 23 August 2011, the ACTF Board committed funds for script development of the following project:

Animal Warriors (live action series) StoryShare International P/L (VIC) $4,800.00

Two city sisters and one country girl form an unlikely alliance and create an animal protection group, taking in stray, injured or unwanted animals, whilst at the same time themselves learning how to fit into this new life and get on with each other.

actF Project develoPMent Funding