Shaping the Future of Kids' Tv
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SHAPING THE FUTURE OF KIDS’ TV ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 THE ACTF Chairman’s Letter to the Ministers 6 1 Ministers Responsible for Funding the ACTF 8 Mission Statement 9 Vision Statement 9 Corporate Profile 11 Corporate Governance 11 Directors 12 Organisational Structure 18 PRODUCTION AND FUNDING The ACTF is committed Project Development Funding 22 2 Professional Development 24 to providing Australian Distribution Advances 25 ACTF Supported Productions 26 children with entertaining New Funding Commitments 34 media made especially More Awards 35 for them. International Sales 36 EDUCATION Education 40 3 Educational Resources 41 Conferences and Workshops 44 Education Departments and Teacher Associations 50 FINANCE REPORT Directors’ Report 55 4 Auditor’s Independence Declaration 58 Financial Report 59 Directors’ Declaration 82 Independent Auditor’s Report 83 2 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 3 THE ACTF “ The history of children’s television and the ACTF are inextricably linked, with the ACTF playing a pivotal role in supporting 1 distinctly Australian programs, and advocating for the support mechanisms required to produce those programs.” JANET HOLMES À COURT, AC CHAIRMAN 4 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 5 CHAIRMAN’S LETTER TO THE MINISTERS The education section of our website was We appreciate the opportunity to participate in completely revamped this year, to provide even the Review and believe that we have unparalleled easier access for teachers to pick and choose and expertise to offer. use the entire back catalogue of ACTF programs in their classrooms. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Ministers who have supported the ACTF The completed digitisation of that catalogue has and its activities this year, and their relevant meant that we were able to licence content to departments, and Film Victoria for their Western Australia, the Northern Territory, cooperation and assistance. I would especially Victoria and Scootle. like to acknowledge the support that we receive from our colleagues in the Commonwealth Department of Communications and the Arts. “ We have a lot to share, and our I would also like to thank my fellow Board Dear Ministers, members for their contribution to the work of the stories and voices do matter. ACTF, particularly Leanne Wright, who retired television is extremely challenging to finance during the year. It is my pleasure to present as there is no commercial incentive for Australian Our children need to understand Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to the 2016-2017 Annual Report broadcasters to commission original Australian thank Jenny Buckland and the entire team at the children’s screen content. It cannot command the inherent uniqueness of for the Australian Children’s ACTF for another great year. Television Foundation (ACTF). the fees that broadcasters pay for prime time content, and is usually far more dependent on our nation and the character overseas presales and investment than adult Speaking at the ACMA’s Australian Content and diversity of our people.” content, which can compromise its distinctive Conversation conference in May, announcing Australian character. the current Commonwealth Review into Australian and Children’s Screen Content, Children’s screen content is the clearest example SENATOR THE HON MITCH FIFIELD MAY 2017 Yours sincerely, Minister Fifield said, “We have a lot to share, of market failure, and it will be important that and our stories and voices do matter. Our this year’s Review establish the means to secure JANET HOLMES À COURT, AC children need to understand the inherent this content for Australian children’s audiences CHAIRMAN uniqueness of our nation and the character in future. The history of children’s television and the ACTF and diversity of our people.” Here at the ACTF we occupy a space at the are inextricably linked, with the ACTF playing a I completely agree. These sentiments are a intersection between children’s media, education pivotal role in supporting distinctly Australian good starting point for the Review, requiring and culture. Highlights this last financial year programs, and advocating for the support us to reflect on why it’s important to support have seen the production and screening of the mechanisms required to produce those programs. Australian children’s screen content, and Little Lunch Specials (from Gristmill) and the For 35 years we have embraced, championed and the type of content that most needs support. Dance Academy movie (from Werner Films). adapted to changing times and opportunities, This year the ACTF has supported script Both projects were received enthusiastically by while at all times maintaining a singular focus on development investment on a wide slate of critics and audiences alike. Our education team achieving quality outcomes for child audiences. potentially outstanding projects, from both conducted interactive webinars and outreach with emerging and experienced producers. children all over Australia, who had the opportunity to meet and talk with the creative We would love to see each of those projects individuals involved with these projects. we funded go into production, but children’s 6 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 1. THE ACTF 7 MINISTERS OUR MISSION RESPONSIBLE THE ACTF IS COMMITTED FOR FUNDING TO PROVIDING AUSTRALIAN THE ACTF CHILDREN WITH ENTERTAINING MEDIA MADE ESPECIALLY COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA Senator The Hon Mitch Fifield The Hon Susan Close MP Minister for the Arts Minister for Education FOR THEM, WHICH MAKES and Child Development AN ENDURING CONTRIBUTION AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY TASMANIA Yvette Berry MLA The Hon Jeremy Rockliff TO THEIR CULTURAL AND Minister for Education and Minister for Education Early Childhood Development and Training EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. NEW SOUTH WALES VICTORIA The Hon Rob Stokes MP The Hon Martin Foley MP Minister for Education Minister for Creative Industries OUR VISION The ACTF will continually raise the stakes NORTHERN TERRITORY WESTERN AUSTRALIA Hon Eva Dina Lawler MLA The Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC in children’s media production, driving higher Minister for Education Minister for Education and Training standards of creativity and innovation, based on the assumption that we should never QUEENSLAND underestimate children’s desire to be informed Hon Kate Jones Minister for Education and challenged as well as entertained. 8 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 1. THE ACTF 9 CORPORATE PROFILE The Finance Committee was established to develop funding strategies in connection with financing, production, sponsorship, and The ACTF is a government funding. non-profit public The current Finance Committee members are: company limited • Janet Holmes à Court, AC, Chairman by guarantee, which • Feyi Akindoyeni • Garry Hewitt was incorporated • Susan Bowden in March 1982. The Audit and Risk Management Committee’s role is to consult with the ACTF’s Auditor and The Australian Education Council established sign off on the ACTF’s financial statements. The the ACTF following recommendations to Committee’s role is also to monitor management Commonwealth, State and Territory governments. of foreseeable risks. It is independent of the ACTF It is supported by, and receives funding from, management. The current Audit and Risk the Commonwealth Government and the Management Committee members are: governments of all States and Territories. • Catriona Hughes, AM, Chairman We are a national children’s media production and policy hub and perform a wide range • Jenny Burgess of functions in children’s media: as a voice in policy matters; as a distributor of and investor • Andrea Denholm in Australian children’s television series; as an • Daryl Karp instigator of new, innovative and entertaining children’s media and as a developer of valuable • Cheryl Best screen resources for the education sector. The Nominations Committee assists the Board to review the skills, experience and composition of CORPORATE GOVERNANCE the Board. The current Nominations Committee The governing body of the ACTF is its Board members are: of Directors, the members of which all serve • Janet Holmes à Court, AC, Chairman in an honorary capacity. The Board meets quarterly and is responsible for determining • Catriona Hughes, AM policies, budget allocations, major expenditures and considering recommendations from the • Andrea Denholm three sub-committees – the Finance Committee, • Susan Bowden the Audit and Risk Management Committee, and the Nominations Committee. • Feyi Akindoyeni The Board of Directors appoints the Chief Executive Officer. The Audit and Risk Management Committee appoints the Auditor. Left: Lift Off 10 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 1. THE ACTF 11 DIRECTORS IN OFFICE ON 30 JUNE 2017 FEYI AKINDOYENI JASON BORTON Appointed 11.5.2009 Appointed 9.1.2017 for three years (Retired 6.6.2015. Re-appointed CHERYL BEST 21.1.2016 for three years) Jason Borton is the Director, Learning JANET HOLMES À COURT, AC Appointed 21.6.2016 for three years CHAIRMAN Feyi Akindoyeni is a Partner at and Teaching with the Australian Newgate Communications. Newgate Capital Territory Education Appointed 1.12.1983 Cheryl Best is currently the Executive brings together some of Australia’s Directorate. Jason is a dynamic leader (Re-elected 22.11.2016) Director, Learning and Business most experienced strategic Systems in the NSW Department of