‘First Day’ on set.
Written and directed by Julie Kalceff, Epic Films’ ABC children’s series First Day is shooting in Adelaide.
A spin-off of a stand-alone episode commissioned in 2017, the four-part series stars Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford, a 12-year-old transgender girl who is navigating the first term at her high school.
She not only has to face the challenges that come with starting a new school but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Epic Films’ Kirsty Stark, who is producing with Kojo Entertainment’s Kate Croser, said: “Having travelled around the world with the original episode of First Day, it’s fantastic to now be shooting our full series back home in Adelaide.”
Kalceff said: “I feel very privileged to be telling this story. I’m excited about working with Evie again and to have the opportunity to explore Hannah’s journey in more detail.”
Kate Butler and Kalceff are co-producing the series funded by Screen Australia, the ABC, the South Australian Film Corporation and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. The ACTF is handling international sales.
The key crew includes DP Meg White, production designer Robert Webb, costume designer Renate Henschke and editor Christine Cheung.
The 2017 episode won the inaugural prize for excellence in kids’ programming in all genres at the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year and the Prix Jeunesse Gender Equity Prize in Munich.