Australian taxpayers will fund a children’s television series about a 12-year-old boy’s first day at school after transitioning to a girl.
Screen Australia, the Federal Government body for Australian screen production, announced this week more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two online projects, and two children’s television series.
One of the children’s series, titled ‘First Day’, is said to follow a 12-year-old transgender girl named Hannah as she “navigates the challenges of starting high school and finding the courage to live her most authentic self.”
Screen Australia’s CEO, Graeme Mason said: “In ‘First Day’ we see an authentic portrayal of personal growth and acceptance. I’m confident these will resonate with viewers.”
The four-part series is based on a stand-alone episode created by Screen Australian and the ABC back in 2017. The episode won the inaugural MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Award for Kids’ Programming and the Gender Equity Prize at the Prix Jeunesse International Children’s Television Festival in 2018.
