Screen Australia to produce kids drama on transgender girl navigating high school life
Screen Australia will be spending close to $6 million on three feature films and two children’s series with one to centre around a transgender girl navigating through high school life. The writer is expecting it to be a topic of conversation.
Confidential
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Screen Australia is spending taxpayer money on a kids TV drama about a 12-year-old transgender girl that will screen on the ABC.
The announcement came as the government agency unveiled its latest round of production funding for 2019 with $5.7 million going to three feature films, two children’s series and two online projects.
Writer and director Julie Kalceff is in pre-production on First Day, a four part fictional drama series to screen on ABC ME about a transgender girl named Hannah as she navigates life starting high school.
Transgender actor Evie Macdonald, 14, will play the lead in the series that will begin shooting in Adelaide next month.
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“We are expecting backlash and I think that is more reason to make the show,” Kalceff told Confidential.
“People don’t understand the issue because we don't have that representation (on screen). Because we don’t have that representation (on screen), people are confused about the issue or they are ignorant about transgender children so we are expecting some backlash.
“If us making the show can start conversations and can help people see this on screen for the kids to feel like they are less alone but then for other people to see it and to make them think. It is about questioning and starting conversations.”
Epic Films is behind the series that is being produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser.
The series is based on a stand alone episode created in 2017 through Screen Australia and ABC Children’s Girls initiative.
The synopsis reads: “It’s Hannah Bradford’s first year of high school. As a 12-year-old transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school, but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Other projects given the green light include actor and director Josh Lawson’s second film, a romantic comedy called Tin, Leah Purcell’s film adaptation of her award-winning play, The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, and Run Rabbit Run about a fertility doctor who is frightened by her young daughter’s inexplicable memories of a past identity.
“It’s exciting to support some stories which offer viewers a chance to connect with Australian experiences and perspectives that are rarely seen on our screens,” Screen Australia boss Graeme Mason said. “In First Day we see an authentic portrayal of personal growth and acceptance.”
Originally published as Screen Australia to produce kids drama on transgender girl navigating high school life
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