Magpie Pictures expands team and development slate with Screen Australia Enterprise funding

Australian indie producer Magpie Pictures has invested in growing its management team following a strong three years of production development, launches and slate expansion.

Magpie Pictures has appointed Claire Lindsay and Ree Evans as joint development producers, in a job share and newly created role based at the company’s regional NSW office of Ballina.

Former lawyer at Screen Australia and legal counsel at Foxtel, Matthew Kelly has joined the team as consulting business executive and EP.

The new roles have been funded by Screen Australia Enterprise Business support. In other changes, Meredith Hussey has been promoted to general manager.

Link to full story in C21 Media

“It’s an increasingly competitive global market but we believe Magpie Pictures is offering something fresh and original” Lois Randall

From left to right, Lois Randall, Ree Evans, Claire Lindsay and Meredith Hussey

Magpie Pictures' SWIFT STREET launches on SBS to critical acclaim. Screening from 24th April.

What the critics are saying about 'Swift Street'

Guardian review: “this fresh, bingeable crime drama is an absolute blast” 4 stars. “Swift Street is framed from the beginning as a story about a father and daughter – though it’s easy to forget that, given the show’s breakneck pacing and sheer sass. It moves, baby, and it’s an absolute blast.” - The Guardian

"Clever, offbeat Australian TV at its finest"- Vogue Australia
“The Aussie series we’ve been waiting for” “Pure, joyful chaos” - Junkee
“Delightful, vivid and darkly funny.” “Grabs you by the throat… then the heart.” - VICE Australia
“At last! A series set in real Australia!”- TV Week
"Sharp, high-tempo and packed with dark humour, Swift Street is Australian TV at its best – Tanzyn Crawford is a star!"- Zee Feed
"Set in a world of street hustlers and heavy hitters, Swift Street's propulsive storytelling is the blast of fresh air Australian crime drama needs"- Screenhub
"A thrilling crime drama promising addictive action, stellar new talent, and a win for representation" - Missing Perspectives
"Showcases an impressive lineup of Australian talent and grabs you from the first episode." - Film Ink

SWIFT STREET takes the pink carpet after World Premiere at Canneseries.

Cast and creatives of Magpie Pictures new series SWIFT STREET attended the world premiere in short form competition at Canneseries ahead of the Australian launch on SBS in April.

Story in TVTonight 12 April 2024

https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/04/swift-street-cast-in-cannes.html

Swift Street cast and creatives on the Canneseries pink carpet after World Premiere screening on 9 April 2024 - L-R: DOP Sherwin Akbarzadeh, Producers Ivy Mak and Lois Randall, actors Keiynan Lonsdale, Bernie Van Tiel, creator Tig Terera, actor Cliff Curtis and composers Damian de Boos Smith and Maria Alfonsine.

Magpie Pictures’ SWIFT STREET selected for CANNESERIES short form competition!

Magpie Pictures’ SWIFT STREET will have its World Premiere in competition at the Cannes International Television Series Festival, CANNESERIES, to be held from April 5 – 10. The 8 x 30-minute series has been selected in the short form category.

Tanzyn Crawford as ELSIE in Swift Street.

Coming very soon to SBS and SBS On Demand, SWIFT STREET is a fast, dynamic, and cinematic crime-family drama created by Tig Terera and produced by Lois Randall’s Magpie Pictures, starring Tanzyn Crawford (Tiny Beautiful Things) and Cliff Curtis (Avatar) as daughter and father partners in crime.

“CANNESERIES celebrates series from all over the world in the city of Cannes and its magical Palais des Festivals. This festival is creative, cool and joyful. It’s perfectly aligned with the energy and heart of SWIFT STREET, and with everything we think audiences will love about the series,” said producers Lois Randall and Ivy Mak.

Creator Tig Terera is excited about this prestigious world premiere for his first television series. “From the modest roots of Melbourne's northern suburbs, premiering SWIFT STREET at CANNESERIES is a dream come true.  A heartfelt WOOHOO and endless thanks to everyone involved. Together we've turned a dream into a reality,” Tig said.

Story in INSIDE FILM today.

SBS reveals cast for Magpie Pictures' SWIFT STREET at UPRONTS

At its Upfronts event on 31 October 2023, SBS unveiled the stellar cast of the fresh high-paced eight-part drama series, Swift Street, as part of SBS’s bold drama offering in 2024.

Cliff Curtis as ROBERT and Tanzyn Crawford as ELSIE in Swift Street

Internationally acclaimed actor Cliff Curtis (Avatar: The Way of Water) and rising star Tanzyn Crawford (Tiny Beautiful Things) lead the cast as dysfunctional father-daughter duo Robert and Elsie, who become partners in crime against the backdrop of bustling inner-city Melbourne.

Created and directed by incredible new talent Tig Terera (Tinashé, Chenge), the series is fast, fun, and cinematic. It’s a wildly entertaining and unapologetic story that’s full of heart.

Curtis has an extraordinary body of work in both features and television series that have reached cult status in Australia, New Zealand, and across the globe, including smash-hit films such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Traffic, Fear The Living Dead, The Insider, Fast and the Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, The Dark Horse, Training Day, Whale Rider and more. Crawford’s impressive credits include M. Night Shyamalan’s series Servant, followed by her break-out role as Kathryn Hahn’s daughter in Tiny Beautiful Things.

They are joined by a dynamic cast including Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon, The Divergent Series: Insurgent), Eliza Matengu (Thor: Love and Thunder, Jack Irish), Bernie Van Tiel (Class of ‘07, and SBS drama anthology Erotic Stories) and introducing new talent Alfred Chuol in his first major television role.

SBS commissions new intoxicating romance Four Years Cast revealed for the deliciously dysfunctional family crime drama Swift Street led by Cliff Curtis (Avatar: The Way of Water) and Tanzyn Crawford (Tiny Beautiful Things)

Magpie Pictures new series SWIFT STREET announced.

Hustle, punkness and a deliciously dysfunctional family at the heart of SBS’s new crime drama Swift Street

SBS and Screen Australia have announced the commission of Magpie Pictures’ new eight-part Australian drama series Swift Street, in partnership with Fifth Season.

SWIFT STREET creator Tig Terera

Swift Street is a fast, funny, and gritty family crime drama, set in bustling inner-city Melbourne, where the rich and poor collide. This high-paced and big-hearted series tells the story of 21-year-old street smart Elsie who must team up with her jaded old-school hustler father, Robert, to get him out of debt and save him from a merciless crime boss who wants her money NOW.

Swift Street is written and created by the incredible new talent of Tig Terera (Tinashé, Chenge) and produced by Lois Randall (Black Snow, Seriously Red) and Ivy Mak (Sydney Sleuthers). Global film and television studio Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) is handling global distribution on the project.

Production on Swift Street will commence in 2023 and will be filmed in Victoria. Cast announcements will follow in the coming months.

View link to SBS media release here.

Magpie Pictures Producers selected for Global Producers Exchange →

Global Producers Exchange is an initiative of Australians in Film and Screen Australia that provides Australia’s leading scripted producers the skills, knowledge, access and relationships necessary to succeed in the global market and to attract foreign investment and marketplace partnerships for Australian scripted content. The exchange aims to give Australian IP and cultural stories the opportunity to be developed with internationally based collaborators who possess a global outlook and a proven track record of success with international audiences, and to help position projects for success in the global market.

Magpie Pictures is one of six companies selected for the program, which will commence in February 2023. Producers Lois Randall and Ivy Mak are thrilled to be included in the program, and to be supported to position Magpie Pictures’ ambitious slate of scripted projects in the global market.

Link here to Screen Australia announcement.

Magpie Pictures options The World Without Us

Magpie Pictures develops THE HIVE

2 November 2020, TV Tonight

NSW-based Magpie Pictures (Grace Beside Me) has secured the rights to Mireille Juchau’s award winning novel The World Without Us and is currently adapting it into a 6 x 1 hour drama series The Hive.

L - R: Blake Ayshford, Mireille Juchau, Lois Randall, Rebecca Ingram and Angela Betzien

The 2016 book is a tale of ecological disaster and a family bound together by a terrible, mysterious absence.

The Hive is described as a “vivid multi-layered mystery drama and story of survival, as a mother and daughter break free from secrets and scars that have silenced and constrained them. The story unfolds in the fictional town of Bidgalong, in the lush, rolling hills of Northern NSW – a community marked by the existence – and subsequent loss – of the Hive commune in a fire thirteen years ago.”

Angela Betzien (Total Control) will be lead writer, working with Blake Ayshford (Fighting Season) as story producer and writer on the series.

With development funding support from Screen NSW, Magpie Pictures has just embarked on an intensive writer’s room in Sydney to further develop the series, which has already attracted U.K interest when pitched at Content London 2019.

“We are thrilled to have such an exceptionally talented and dynamic writing team to transform this beautiful story into an exciting high-end series for the small screen,” says Magpie Pictures Producer Lois Randall.

“It is a visually stunning portrayal of a collision of worlds that is rarely explored on screen. A powerfully timely series, it speaks to audiences who enjoy sophisticated high-end dramas with unapologetic, complex characters and stories set in unique worlds. Mireille Juchau is such an extraordinary writer and has captured this intriguing world and characters so authentically in her novel.”

Magpie Pictures has an ambitious slate of projects in development, including the gritty, fresh series Dog Box (development supported by Screen NSW and Screen Australia), as well as continuing its joint venture with Dena Curtis’ company Inkey Media on the high-end crime drama Silt. Magpie is also developing Tata Detective with Taryne Laffar’s company Pink Pepper. Both projects have received development support from the Indigenous department of Screen Australia. Magpie Pictures’ slate also includes two Lawrence Johnson films, Once A Queen (developed with the assistance of Screen Australia) and Love Me Tender (developed with the assistance of the Indigenous department of Screen Australia).

MAGPIE PICTURES provides THE SERVICES OF LOIS RANDALL AS PRODUCER FOR "SEACHANGE"

Magpie Pictures recently provided the services of Lois Randall as the Producer of Seachange – a project that reimagines the hugely popular & iconic Australian TV series,  first televised in 1998. By the second and third series, it was the top rated television drama in Australia. The show embodied the emergent cultural zeitgeist, of a dream for a “treechange/seachange” escape from the rat race of city life. 

The 2019 reboot, comprised of eight x 1 hour episodes, was an ITV Studios and Everycloud Productions drama, created for the Nine Network, with other key investment from Screen Australia and Create NSW, and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. 

After 20 years, Sigrid Thornton reprised her starring role as Laura Gibson, to work with the original series creator & Head Writer Deb Cox – who with Every Cloud’s Fiona Eagger are Executive Producers with Sigrid Thornton; alongside ITV Studio’s David Mott; and Nine’s Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney. Magpie Pictures’ Lois Randall was series Producer, with Wayne Blair as set up director.

Other Australian acting luminaries from the original series cast also returned – with John Howard again playing Bob Jelly, now a disgraced developer who’s just out of prison. Kerry Armstrong revisits her role as Bob's loyal wife Heather; while Kevin Harrington is again the earnest and hapless Kevin Findlay. Their fellow cast members now include Brooke Satchwell (Wonderland, Packed to the Rafters), Dan Wyllie (Romper Stomper, No Activity, Gallipoli, Tangle), Darren McMullen (House Husbands, The Voice Australia), Katrina Milosevic (Wentworth, Winners & Losers, Offspring), Ella Newton (Playing for Keeps, Neighbours, Newton’s Law), Kate Lister (Bad Mothers, Neighbours) and Alex Tarrant (800 Words, Shortland Street). 

Lois Randall from Magpie Pictures says: 

“I was proud to work with Everycloud Productions, Deb Cox, Fiona Eagger, ITV Studio’s David Mott, and Sigrid Thornton, who are the Executive Producers on the show, along with the Nine Network’s Andy Ryan & Jo Rooney. It was a pleasure to work with the talented creative team that brought Seachange back to our TV screens for Australian viewers. The professionalism, hard work, & talent of this fabulous creative team contributed to the huge success of the series once Seachange premiered as 2019’s highest rating drama on Australian television”. 

(From L-R) Lois Randall, Fiona Eagger, & Deb Cox

The opening episode of the series dominated its timeslot, to give the Nine Network the highest number of viewers of any show in the five major metropolitan markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. It was the number one show for the entire night in Melbourne, and the dominant timeslot winner across the country with people aged 25-54. At its peak, the national audience reached a whopping 1.599 million (Metro: 1.142 million / Regional: 457,000), with the average national audience hitting 1.105 million. 

Magpie Pictures' wins Children’s Series Production of the Year for 'Grace Beside Me' , at the 2018 Screen Producers Australia Award

Magpie Pictures is so proud to have won the 2018 Screen Producers Australia Award for Children’s Series Production Of The Year for Grace Beside Me 

Lois Randall from Magpie Pictures accepts the award for Children’s Series Production of the Year at the 2018 SPA Awards

Lois Randall from Magpie Pictures accepted the award at the SPA Awards ceremony, which was held at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on the final night of the Screen Producers Australia annual conference: Screen Forever 2018.

Ms Randall congratulated all the Grace Beside Me family. and also thanked SPA members for their support!

Grace Beside Me is Nominated for an AACTA Award for Best Chidren's Program

Grace Beside Mehas been nominated for an AACTA, in the Best Children’s Program category.

The producers of Grace Beside Me – Lois Randall and Dena Curtis – are honoured and proud that this children’s television series has been nominated, to be included in the most prestigious award for the film and television industry in Australia. 

Kyliric Masella. Photos supplied by Magpie Pictures. Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

The AACTA nomination for Grace Beside Me is recognition for all the wonderful work achieved by the entire creative team involved in the production of this children’s television series, which brings a uniquely Australian story to our own screens, as well as to the global screens of the international market.

Magpie Pictures Press Release—GRACE BESIDE ME—Official Selection in the legendary 35th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival!

Magpie Pictures is very happy to announce that Grace Beside Me has been selected to screen at the 2018 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. A great honour indeed! 

Kyliric Masella as ‘Fuzzy’, Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures, Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

The Festival is a legendary Chicago cultural institution for globally-minded, creative families, educators, and media professionals and is the first Oscar-qualifying children’s film festival in the world. The Festival is run by Facets, a pioneering nonprofit that connects over 30,000 people annually to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. 

The 2018 festival will be held between 1st - 9th November 2018 in theatres and arts venues around Chicago. The Festival attracts over 20,000 families, teachers, and industry professionals each year. 

L—R, Tjiirdm McGuire as ‘Yar’, Kyliric Masella as ‘Fuzzy’, & Mairehau Grace as ‘Tui’. Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures. Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

Producer Lois Randall says, “The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is the oldest and largest film festival for kids in North America. During the 34th season in 2017, Chicago presented 254 films from over 44 countries over the course of ten days. It’s a testimony to our creative team that Grace Beside Me was selected from over 1000 entries.”

2018 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 

https://festival.facets.org/

“Grace Beside Me” (Australia) will be screening at CICFF the following dates and times:

 Monday Nov. 5th, 11:45AM (Logan) / "Standing Together"

 Thursday Nov. 8th, 11:45AM (Music Box 1) / "Standing Together"

For more information, please contact: Producer - Lois Randall
M: 0427 875 299 

lois@loisrandall.com.au 

Magpie Pictures Pty Ltd | Box 410 Lennox Head NSW 2478 | 0427 875 299 | lois@loisrandall.com.au 

Grace Beside Me is available now to watch on ABC iview, available until 3:30am on 18 Oct 2018.

Watch now @ https://iview.abc.net.au/show/grace-beside-me

L—R, Mairehau Grace as ‘Tui, Kyliric Masella as ‘Fuzzy’ & Tjiirdm McGuire as ‘Yar’, ABC Promotion Still. Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures/ABC, Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

A series about an extraordinary Indigenous girl trying to lead an ordinary life. Taking audiences on an emotional roller coaster ride following Fuzzy Mac as she learns to accept her gift and understand the meaning of 'grace'.

Leading Cast: Kyliric Masella as ‘Fuzzy’, Mairehau Grace  as ‘Tui, Tjiirdm McGuire as ‘Yar’, Tessa Rose as ‘Nan, & Charles Passi as ‘Pop’.

'It's pretty surreal': Indigenous teen candidate for Logie nomination

Natarsha Kallios, SBS.com.au.

Kyliric Masella, the 13-year-old star of NITV drama series Grace Beside Me, has been put forward as a candidate for a Logie Award nomination.

Kyliric Masella at the Logies, Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures.

Kyliric Masella is in the running to be nominated for the Graham Kennedy Award for Best New Talent for her lead role as Fuzzy McCardell in NITV children’s TV drama series Grace Beside Me. Born and raised in Sydney, the 13-year-old, better known as Kiki, has cultural ties to Dharumbal Aboriginal people of Central Queensland and to Tonga. Kiki has been singing and dancing since she was a toddler and is one of the youngest people to be recognised as a candidate to receive a Logie award nomination. "It's pretty surreal for me now," she told SBS News on Wednesday. "I sat there for like five minutes thinking 'wow, what would I do if I would go to the Logies'."

Kyliric Masella & Miranda Tapsell at the Logies, Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures.

Success in the arts runs in the family. Kiki’s sister 17-year-old Mi-Kaisha is also a singer, and the two share a very special bond.  “When I found out Kiki was nominated for a Logie it was honestly just surreal,” Mi-Kaisha told SBS News. "For her to have this nomination at such a young age is really crazy. Even me being her older sister, someone who she should probably look up to, but I look up to her because she's just powerful and has so much courage, and I'm really proud of her.”

Kiki attends International Grammar School in Sydney's CBD, a school that prides itself on being culturally diverse. Deputy Principal David Hamper said Kiki's nomination is a reflection of her skill and talent.  "For students like Kiki who are able to take their talents out to the wider world is exactly what we want our students here at IGS to do. "It's also a great recognition of how she's putting her culture out there, and making it a really important part of who she is and indeed who we are as a school," Mr Hamper said.

New series 'Grace Beside Me' is jam-packed with adventures and spirit encounters

NITV Staff Writers, SBS.com.au.

NITV has launched a new drama series and it's funny, a bit spooky and full of adventure.

Mairehau Grace, Kyliric Masella and Tjiirdm McGuire, NITV Promotion Still.Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures/NITV/SBS,Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

Families around Australia! Get ready for the rollercoaster adventure of Fuzzy Mac as she experiences the tears and triumphs of being a 21st Century teenager from a strong Indigenous family. Grace Beside Me is a new 13-part children’s series, adapted from the award-winning novel by Sue McPherson. The series tells the charming story of an Indigenous girl Fuzzy Mac (played by Kyliric 'Kiki' Masella). Fuzzy just wants to be an ordinary teenager and have fun with her mates. This isn't easy given Fuzzy's ancestors have other plans for her. Oh, and not to mention she keeps seeing ghosts!

With one foot in the Indigenous realm of culture, Country, and spirits, and the other firmly planted in the world of a 21st century teenager, Fuzzy’s journey is to realise she belongs to both in her own unique way. The series was filmed entirely on location in the Scenic Rim area of South-East Queensland, and stars up and coming talent, including Kyliric 'Kiki' Masella as Fuzzy Mac, Mairehau Grace and Tjiirdm McGuire as Fuzzy’s best buddies Tui and Yar, and Tessa Rose and Charles Passi as Nan and Pop.

Fuzzy with her best friends, Tui and Yar', played by Tjiirdm McGuire, Mairehau Grace, Kyliric Masella, NITV Promotion Still. Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures/NITV/SBS, Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

Producers Lois Randall (The Gods of Wheat Street) and Dena Curtis (8MMM Aboriginal Radio, Shadow Trackers) said, “Grace Beside Me is thoroughly modern Australian drama that shows – in all its humour and pathos – the joys and challenges of teenage life for our utterly compelling young heroine, Fuzzy Mac.”

NITV co-commissioned the series with ABC children’s channel ABC ME with Screen Australia being a major investor in the series, along with Screen Queensland and Cutting Edge.

I have a new show to watch with my eight-year-old daughter. And it’s very special.

Mandy Nolan, Mama Mia.com.au.

Mairehau Grace, Kyliric Masella and Tjiirdm McGuire, NITV Promotional Still. Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures/NITV/SBS, Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

When I was 12, a boy called Peter brought a goanna into our English class for his presentation on animals. He’d caught it the day before, and later that night his mum lit a fire and helped him cook it up so he could bring it in to share with the class. It was educational AND delicious. At the time I had no idea how lucky I was to have an experience that many white Australian city kids may never have – a sharing of culture not at some festival or tourism hotspot, but in the mundane and unremarkable setting of a school classroom. Peter got an A and the rest of us got to taste goanna.

These are the kind of experiences that build understanding and connection and tell the bigger story of what country means to our first nation. This is where true reconciliation takes place – just ordinary people doing ordinary things like any other ordinary day. This is where where understanding builds respect.

I was recently at a writers’ festival in the children’s tent listening to a young Indigenous author entertain kids with his stories. The kids were wide-eyed. They were laughing. They were right there. It occurred to me how unusual this was, how most children’s stories tend to focus on dominant culture. White stories. What is it like growing up with most of the books and TV shows that you watch only ever telling stories about white children? How do you feel about yourself and your identity if you never get to see positive, engaging stories about girls or boys just like you reflected back?

I want my white child to hear black stories. I also want to know the Indigenous kids in this country aren’t constantly subjected to books and TV that repeatedly tells the stories of white kids. I believe it’s important for all kids to see themselves right in the middle of the frame of their story.

And that’s exactly what happens with Grace Beside Me, an exciting new 13-episode TV series created by Magpie Pictures and screening this month on NITV and SBS on Demand.

Mairehau Grace and Tjiirdm McGuire, Magpie Pictures/NITV/SBS, NITV Promotion Still. Photo supplied by Magpie Pictures/NITV/SBS,Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

Story is so important in helping shape young minds, in how they understand the world and their place in it. If we are to create a future that promotes true respect, that values Indigenous culture and spirituality, and one that truly walks the walk of reconciliation, then we have to learn to listen. The world's oldest and most experienced storytellers have something to tell us. And boy, do they know how to spin a yarn. Watching Grace Beside Me, I realised this was an opportunity for exactly that. Grab your children, sit together and enjoy.

NITV Children’s Series Grace Beside Me Launches in Beaudesert

A young girl has to contend with adolescence and the supernatural in a new 13 part series. 

Kyliric Mastella, Mairehau Grace and Tjiirdm McGuire. Photos supplied by Magpie Pictures, Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

Grace Beside Me, the first Indigenous children’s television series to be produced in Queensland,  will be officially launched in Beaudesert, the shooting location,  today, February 7, before its world premiere on NITV on February 16.

Based on the award-winning novel by Eumundi writer Sue McPherson, the 13 part series tells the story of Fuzzy Mac (Kyliric Masella), an Indigenous girl who just wants to be an ordinary teenager but has to contend with the world of ghosts, ancestors and Indigenous mystic tradition.  Mairehau Grace and Tjiirdm McGuire co-star Fuzzy’s friends Tui and Yar, along with Tessa Rose and Charles Passi as her grandparents.

“Grace Beside Me breaks a lot of new ground” say producers Lois Randall and Dena Curtis. “It’s the first live-action drama commission for NITV and first co-commission between NITV and ABC, with Disney Channel also licensing the series in Australia and New Zealand, and Canada’s 9 Story Media Group picking up the series as their first Australian title for rest of world distribution. Screen Australia and Screen Queensland were also major investors.”

The series has also been announced as a finalist in the 28th Prix Jeunesse International 2018.

Taking place in Munich from May 25 – 30, the festival celebrates outstanding children’s television, with this year’s theme being “strong stories for strong children: resilience and story telling”.

One of four Australian series to make the grade, Grace Beside Me is in the 7 – 10 Years Fiction category, which will be judged by a German children’s jury consisting of 600 children as well as a professional jury.

‘Grace Beside Me’ Selected Finalist in Prix Jeunesse International

Phil Sandberg, Content Technology.com.

Australian Children’s TV Series ‘Grace Beside Me’ has been announced as a finalist in the 28th Prix Jeunesse International 2018. The bi-annual international festival and competition, taking place in Munich from 25 – 30 May 2018, aims to shine a spotlight on the world of outstanding television productions for children. The 2018 theme is ‘Strong Stories for Strong Children: Resilience and Story Telling’. The finalists are selected from almost 400 children’s programs from all over the world. One of four Australian finalists, Grace Beside Me has been pre-selected in the 7 – 10 Years Fiction category, which is judged by a German children’s jury consisting of 600 children as well as a professional jury. A German voice-over version will be produced.

Producers Lois Randall and Dena Curtis said “we’re honoured to be a finalist in this important award. Grace Beside Me is a thirteen episode series adapted from the novel by Sue McPherson. We believe the selected episode “Sorry” which was written by Sue McPherson and Sam Carroll and directed by Nicholas Verso, is very much in-line with the theme of resilience. We want to acknowledge the beautiful performances of first time actor Kyliric Masella as 13 year old Fuzzy Mac, and Tessa Rose as her grandmother Nan,” they said. “And we congratulate all our team and the other finalists.”

Kyliric Masella. Photos supplied by Magpie Pictures. Production Stills by Julian Panetta.

New Children's Drama filmed around Beaudesert goes to air this month

Lorraine Sathicq, Beaudesert Times.

WHEN new children’s television series Grace Beside Me goes to air on SBS channel 34, Scenic Rim viewers will see some familiar sights as well as one or two familiar faces. Filmed entirely within the Scenic Rim, the program tells the story of Aboriginal teenager Fuzzy Mac who lives with her grandparents in the fictional town of Laurel Dale, which co-producer Lois Randall says is an amalgamation of Beaudesert, Boonah and a bit of Tamrookum.

Charles Passi, Kyliric Masella and Tessa Rose at the show's main house location in Hawkins Street Beaudesert.

“We filmed in those areas from July to September last year after consulting with the Mununjali elders group,” Ms Randall said. “Once we had the go-ahead, three Mununjali elders were assigned to help with story development and locations. “We are grateful to Uncle Bevan Page, Auntie Levina Page and Auntie Suzie Blanco.” She also thanked the Scenic Rim Regional Council for their support during filming. “They helped us find the right locations and allowed us to film on council property,” she said. Ms Randall said the show auditioned nationally with the actor chosen as the main character being from Sydney, but many of the cast and crew were recruited locally.

Beaudesert actor Peter Sandy and Gilston actor Braden Lewis on location outside St Thomas Church in Beaudesert.

Mairehau Grace, Kyliric Masella and Tjiirdm McGuire at Boonah in a scene from Episode 1 of Grace Beside Me. photos supplied by Magpie Pictures, Production Stills by Julian Pancetta.

“We auditioned literally hundreds of children including two days of auditions in Beaudesert and we would like to thank Aunty Geraldine Page who helped us coordinate the local casting.  “There are many local children who played support roles and were extras, particularly in the school scenes. “Peter Sandy, a 10-year-old student from Beaudesert State School is one of the main supporting actors,” she said. “Three of the Mununjali elders are also in the cast – Suzie Blanco, Delores Paulson and Lorraine Iselin play three sisters. “The school scenes were filmed at Beaudesert primary and the old school at Laravale.”

Ms Randall said the 13-part series was based on a novel written by Indigenous author Sue McPherson and was produced by Magpie Pictures. “The series will appear on the ABC in July and the Disney channel early next year,” she said. The show will be launched on February 7 at The Centre Beaudesert ahead of the world NITV premiere on February 16.

NITV presents its first ever live action series, Grace Beside Me, jam-packed with adventures and spirit encounters

Premieres Friday 16 February at 7.30pm on NITV (Channel 34)

VIEW TRAILER @ https://youtu.be/YoFftAkN5Qo

Families around Australia, this one’s for you! Premiering on National Indigenous Television (NITV) on Friday 16 February at 7.30pm, NITV presents Grace Beside Me, a new 13-part children’s television series from Magpie Pictures, adapted from the award-winning novel by Sue McPherson.

The series tells the charming story of an Indigenous girl Fuzzy Mac, who just wants to be an ordinary teenager and have fun with her mates. But that’s not so easy when Fuzzy’s ancestors have other plans and she keeps seeing ghosts!

With one foot in the Indigenous realm of culture, Country, and spirits, and the other firmly planted in the world of a 21st century teenager, Fuzzy’s journey is to realise she belongs to both in her own unique way.

The series was filmed entirely on location in the Scenic Rim area of South-East Queensland, and stars up and coming talent, Kyliric Masella as Fuzzy Mac, Mairehau Grace and Tjiirdm McGuire as Fuzzy’s best buddies Tui and Yar, and Tessa Rose and Charles Passi as her Nan and Pop.

NITV's Channel Manager, Tanya Orman, said: “NITV is delighted to bring Sue McPherson’s exceptional story to life and introduce Fuzzy Mac to audiences across Australia. The series brings Indigenous culture to the forefront and is important because it lets Indigenous kids see themselves on screen in a positive and fun way, and demystifies Indigenous culture for non-Indigenous audiences.

“At a time when Australian children are hungry for home grown drama series, NITV is proud to create a televised adaptation of this well-known Australian Indigenous novel through an exceptionally talented cast.

Producers Lois Randall and Dena Curtis said:  “Grace Beside Me is thoroughly modern Australian drama that shows – in all its humour and pathos – the joys and challenges of teenage life for our utterly compelling young heroine, Fuzzy Mac.”

NITV co-commissioned the series with ABC children’s channel ABC ME. Screen Australia was a major investor in the series, with Screen Queensland and Cutting Edge. Disney Channel has also licensed the series in Australia and New Zealand, while the rest of world distribution is with Canada’s 9Story Media Group. The Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and Screen NSW also supported early development of the series.

Lois Randall, Sue McPherson and Dena Curtis, Photos supplied by Magpie Pictures.

Producers were Magpie Pictures’ Lois Randall (The Gods of Wheat Street) with Dena Curtis (8MMM Aboriginal Radio, Shadow Trackers). Executive Producers were Lois Randall, with NITV executive producer Mary-Ellen Mullane and ABC TV executive producer Libbie Doherty. The series was directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey (A Place to Call Home, Love Child), Beck Cole (Here I Am, Black Comedy) and Nicholas Verso (Nowhere Boys, Boys in the Trees).

Watch Grace Beside Me weekly on NITV from Friday 16 February at 7.30pm

The episodes will also be available on demand after broadcast via nitv.org.auGraceBesideMe