A three-day Children’s Media Symposium to be held by USC Sunshine Coast from Friday 24 November to Sunday 26 November is attracting some of Australia’s leading behind-the-scenes stars of popular children’s television, internet and books.

The symposium has been organised by Dr Anna Potter, a USC Senior Lecturer in Screen and Media who has an Australian Research Council fellowship for her study, ‘International Transformation in Children’s Television 2013-18’.

“It will showcase the perspectives of academics and industry practitioners,” Dr Potter said.

“We’re at a tipping point for Australian screen content and stories, with children’s television content quotas currently under review.

“This symposium will highlight research into how children are engaging with screens, both for learning and entertainment, while allowing some of our most successful storytellers to share their creative practices.”

Key speakers will include former head of ABC Television and USC Adjunct Professor Kim Dalton OAM, Australian Children’s Television Foundation CEO Jenny Buckland, Oscar-winning illustrator Shaun Tan and award-winning children’s author and USC Professor of Creative Writing Gary Crew.

The ticketed event, which is also open to the public, will cover a range of topics including:

• the latest research on children’s use of technology and media;
• ‘News for Kids, News by Kids’;
• producing Netflix’s first global kids’ commission, Bottersnikes and Gumbles;
• the production process for reboot CGI-animated series Thunderbirds Are Go;
• a screening of ABC ME’s new live action drama Mustangs FC, including an appearance by young actors Molly Broadstock and Emmanuelle Mattana;
• a talk on the future of Australian children’s drama by Matchbox Pictures’ Amanda Higgs and Rachel Davis, producers of Mustangs FC.

Details on program, prices and registration.

Picture information: Netflix, Channel 7 and CBBC series 'Bottersnikes and Gumbles'. Image credit: Cheeky Little & Mighty Nice.

— Julie Schomberg