Children’s Entertainment Division APC Kids and ACTF Secure Deal With France Télévisions for Award-Winning Series FIRST DAY

Created by Julie Kalceff, the breakthrough series is one of the first kids series to explicitly follow the life of a transgender youth.

The series is set to air on France Télévisions and Okoo platform this fall.

APC Kids is the exclusive sales agent for ACTF in France and other French-speaking European territories.

APC Kids, the children’s entertainment division of leading co-production and distribution group APC Studios has secured a deal with France Télévisions for award-winning drama First Day (4 x 22’) distributed worldwide by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). Created by Julie Kalceff, the breakthrough series is one of the first kids series to explicitly follow the life of a transgender youth. The series is set to air on France Télévisions and Okoo platform this fall.

Based on the original short film “First Day”, the series, aimed at children aged 5-9, stars transgender actor Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford. The series follows Hannah as she is about to start her first day of high school. As a transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school but finds the courage to live as her most authentic self.

Produced by Australia’s Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment, First Day first aired on ABC Me in March 2020. The series received funding from Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), which holds worldwide distribution rights. APC Kids is the exclusive sales agent for ACTF in France and other French-speaking European territories.

The educational series has received significant critical acclaim, winning numerous awards in 2020 including the Children’s Live Action category at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, the Children & Youth category at the Rose d’Or Awards, Best Work in the Primary Category at the NHK Japan Prize, the Best Children’s Television Program at the Australian Teachers of Media Awards and Best Children’s Program at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award. In 2021, the series has garnered Best Live Action Series at the Kidscreen Awards, Outstanding Kids & Family Programming at the GLAAD Media Awards and winner of Live Action: Children at the Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards.

Lionel Marty, Managing Director of APC Kids, says “The impressive collection of awards and widespread acclaim First Day has gathered speaks for itself and we are delighted to be bringing such an important, wholesome and engaging story to French audiences and continuing our partnership with ACTF.”

“First Day has entertained and enlightened audiences around the world, and we are delighted that French children and their families will be able to enjoy the series on France Televisions, and for them to see Evie’s wonderful performance as Hannah.” said Bernadette O’Mahony, Head of Content – Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

Claire Heinrich, Head of Children and Youth Acquisitions at France Televisions says: “This deeply moving story, beyond Hannah’s struggle to be her authentic self, is a wonderful lesson in tolerance, and courage. We hope it will give children inspiration to look beyond appearances, to open up to all the differences that make the richness of human relationships, and to gain confidence in themselves and in others. We are grateful for the producers for their beautiful work, and for ACTF and APC Kids for bringing this essential program to us, enabling us to fulfil our public service role.”

First Day has been sold by the ACTF to broadcasters in USA, UK, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Israel, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa, with further deals to be finalised soon.

About APC Kids
APC Kids is the children’s entertainment arm of leading co-production and distribution company APC Studios. Headed by Lionel Marty, the kids’ specialist has a growing portfolio of high-profile children’s and family properties including animated series Kid-E-Cats, Little Tiaras, DinoCity, Galactic Agency, Fox and Hare, Roger and Hello Maestro. APC Kids also houses its own production company Zephyr Animation.

About the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF)
The ACTF is non-profit government funded company that develops and distributes television projects and accompanying educational resources for both Australian and international audiences. Our library contains over 400 hours of programming covering all ages from pre-school to teenagers, and presented in a range of formats and genres including live action comedy/drama series, animation, short-form, telemovies, and documentaries. We work with major international and local broadcasters and production companies and can proudly boast a catalogue of award-winning shows including Round The Twist, Mortified, My Place and Little Lunch.