Education News

First Day (Epic Films) and Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? (Flying Kite and Sticky Pictures) have received 2020 ATOM Awards for Best Children’s Television Program and Best Factual Television Series respectively.

Producer Kirsty Stark accepted First Day’s award in a virtual ceremony held on December 10. In her acceptance speech, she said:

“This really means a lot to us. We hope it will be an opportunity for a lot of kids to step into Hannah’s shoes and learn more about her story.”

Four productions were nominated for Best Children’s Television Program. Alongside First Day was Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? (Flying Kite and Sticky Pictures), The Inbestigators (Gristmill) and Alice-Miranda Friends Forever (SLR Productions).

Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? received two nominations: also competing in the Best Factual Television Series category alongside adult series Aussie Mega Mechanics, Wildest Places and Family Rules – Season 3.

Upon accepting the Best Factual Television Series award, Vanna Morosini, creator of the Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? series said:

“I am so excited to be accepting this award. This show has come alive by the incredible work of so many people… including of course, our talented host Ghenoa Gela, who has made the role her own and is the heart and soul of the series.”

Vanna also thanked ACTF’s Bernadette O’Mahony, saying she’s “been with us every step of the way”.

The ATOM Awards celebrate the best of Australian and New Zealand screen content from screen industry professionals and the education sector. They are the second-longest running film and media awards in Australia, behind the AFI/AACTA Awards, having been held annually for over thirty-five years.

ABCME was the commissioning broadcaster for both First Day and Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors?. The ACTF congratulates the ABC and the First Day and Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? teams on their wins.

Watch the 2020 ATOM Awards Tertiary & Industry Awards Night here.

First Day is produced by Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment, with investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the ACTF. The Australian Children’s Television Foundation distributes First Day internationally.

Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? is a Flying Kite and Sticky Pictures production for the ABC, with investment from the ABC in association with the South Australian Film Corporation. The ACTF distributes Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors? internationally.