NITV, Screen Australia and ABC Children’s have announced that the award-winning animation series, Little J & Big Cuz is currently in pre-production for season three.
The new season will be broadcast on NITV and ABC Kids and have catch up available on SBS On Demand and the ABC Kids app as well as iview. The show was financed with the support of Film Victoria, the Tasmanian Government through Screen Tasmania, the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
Ned Lander Media, Media World and Blue Rocket will once again be teaming up with Aboriginal writers from across Australia and the voice talent of Deborah Mailman, Miranda Tapsell, Aaron Fa’oaso, Ursula Yovich, Renee Lim and Shari Sebbens.
The shows first two seasons has reached remote Indigenous communities through the creation of 11 language versions. Season three will see the creation of episodes in additional languages.
The show features Little J, Big Cuz and their friends who are guided by Nanna and Old Dog as they reflect Indigenous cultures and ways of learning through Little J’s world, centred around Nanna’s wonderful backyard and Ms Chen’s classroom.
Little J & Big Cuz director, Tony Thorne, and short fiction writer, Adam Thompson, join the talented team of writers consisting of Dot West, Erica Glynn, Beck Cole, Danielle MacLean and Sam Paynter.
The first series of Little J & Big Cuz was supported through development by Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and the Australian Council for Educational Research, and was based on an Indigenous perspective on the Early Years Learning Framework, to build engaging resources to help Indigenous kids transition into school.
NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman, said: “Here at NITV, Little J & Big Cuz has a very special place in our hearts. The program plays an integral part in creating more representation on screen here in Australia, and giving Aboriginal kids a national platform to see their own faces and hear their own voices – something that is so important for our mob.
“Now three seasons on, we continue to strive to create relatable children’s programming that explores diversity, and celebrates the stories and culture of our mob to share with all Australians. The success of Little J & Big Cuz, reminds us that there is a want and need for diverse children’s content no matter where kids are tuning in from.”
Penny Smallacombe, Head of Indigenous at Screen Australia, said: “We are proud to support the third season of this incredible show, which has resonated with children around the country. The Indigenous writers and Indigenous animator, continue to entertain, educate and inspire young audiences.”
Commissioning Editor, ABC Children’s Content Mary-Ellen Mullane, said: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting the production of a third series of Little J & Big Cuz. Beautifully crafted stories from Indigenous writers across Australia, inviting children everywhere to celebrate the richness of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander everyday life: Wow! Shows like Little J & Big Cuz are game changers.”