The ABC has won two of the world’s most prestigious children’s television awards, celebrating excellence, high-quality and innovative programs.



The Prix Jeunesse awards, voted on by 550 children’s television experts from 65 countries, went to ABC Children’s programs First Day and What It’s Like to Experience A Disability.



The 2018 International awards recognised the most outstanding television for children under the theme: “Strong stories for young children: resilience and storytelling.” The winners, chosen from 400 children and youth programs from around the world, were announced during the biannual Prix Jeunesse International festival in Munich, on May 30.





ABC Head of Children’s content Michael Carrington said: “The entire children’s team and our production partners are thrilled to receive these two important accolades. It’s important to us that children feel we listen, are trusted, are accessible and caring.





“We make programs like First Day and What It’s Like specifically for children, which reflect Australian children’s lives and needs, and give them a voice. The ABC is better placed than any other broadcaster in Australia to fulfil this public service duty.”





ABC Children’s First Day won the Prix Jeunesse Gender Equity Prize for telling the story of Hannah, a transgender girl starting high school. The show produced by Epic Films was commissioned through an ABC and Screen Australia joint initiative to celebrate the International Day of the Girl.





The distinctive program created understanding and acceptance of children who are transitioning. The lead role of Hannah was played by Evie Macdonald, a 12-year-old transgender girl in her first acting role, making First Day the only scripted drama with a transgender actor in the lead role to be commissioned for Australian television.





ABC Children’s What It’s Like to Experience A Disability won the Prix Jeunesse International Youth Jury Award for giving a wide-reaching platform to groups of young people whose voices, stories and perspectives are not often see or heard in the media.





The show was part of a series featuring young people sharing stories about their lives, personalities and dreams. What It’s Like to Experience A Disability empowered young people to talk about their ups and downs, what bothers them and what they find funny.

