Australian Children’s Content Summit confirms powerhouse storytellers for ‘In Conversation’ line-up
Leah Purcell AM, Karissa Valencia and Kevin Lerdwichagul will headline this year’s Australian Children’s Content Summit.
The announcement:
Two powerhouse storytellers and a global creative force in digital animation are set to headline ‘In Conversation’ sessions at this year’s Australian Children’s Content Summit with Leah Purcell AM, Karissa Valencia and Kevin Lerdwichagul now confirmed to attend the flagship event for the children’s and family content industry.
A proud Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri woman and one of Australia’s most celebrated multi-award-winning actors, writers, directors, producers, and cultural leaders, as well as creative director of Oombarra Productions, Leah brings bold, authentic First Nations stories to audiences of all ages. Her body of work spans landmark productions including The Drover’s Wife, The Twelve, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Ready for This, Box the Pony, Redfern Now, Wentworth, The Secret Daughter, High Country, My Life is Murder, Is That You, Ruthie? and Cleverman.
Leah brings a wealth of experience to the children’s and young adult genres, with a strong background in various drama forms that often explore family story themes.
Head of screen NSW Kyas Hepworth will moderate the ‘In Conversation’ session with Leah, whose career spans stage, film, television, and now opera. During the session Leah will reflect on her creative journey, explore the power of cultural authenticity in children’s and family storytelling, and share insights from her diverse body of work.
Joining this year’s Australian Children’s Content Summit from Los Angeles is Karissa Valencia, another ‘In Conversation’ highlight. A Peabody and Emmy-nominated showrunner, writer, and author, and the creator and executive producer of Netflix’s Spirit Rangers, a groundbreaking animated preschool series rooted in Native American culture, Karissa’s credits include Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and T.O.T.S., and she has been recognised on The Hollywood Reporter’s Kids Entertainment Power List and Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch.
A proud Chicana and member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Karissa brings deep cultural truth to her storytelling. At this year’s summit, she will join NITV Senior Commissioning Editor Cieron Cody for an ‘In Conversation’ to share her creative journey, explore the intersection of cultural authenticity and preschool storytelling, and engage in a cross-cultural exchange on the parallels between Native American and First Nations Australian storytelling traditions, particularly in environmental and community-driven narratives.
Kevin Lerdwichagul, CEO and co-founder of Glitch Productions, the studio behind global hit animated series such as The Amazing Digital Circus and Murder Drones will also be an ‘In Conversation’ highlight at this year’s event. Kevin leads the company’s business strategy and creative vision, bringing original animated stories to a worldwide audience. Flying Bark Productions’ President and CEO Barbara Stephen will join Kevin in this dynamic session.
Leah Purcell said, “I’m excited to not only guest speak about my journey at my first Australian Children’s Content Summit but to attend sessions and meet the movers and shakers in the children’s and young adult screen content space as I begin my journey to take and sing up my First Nations films, TV and digital gaming to the world”.
Head of screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said, “Screen NSW is thrilled to support the Australian Children’s Content Summit for a third year, and I’m looking forward to taking the stage with one of Australia’s most trailblazing creatives, Leah Purcell. During this session, we will hear insights into her craft, and how she brings her incredible skills and authenticity to all her creative projects, across many formats and genres. This is one of the many standout opportunities available at the Australian Children’s Content Summit, which brings together practitioners from across the screen industry together to collaborate, connect and celebrate the children’s and family content industry”.
Karissa Valencia said, “I’m incredibly honoured to be part of this year’s Australian Children’s Content Summit. It’s a joy to be in community with fellow creatives who are passionate about telling meaningful stories for kids. I’m especially excited to connect with Indigenous storytellers and explore the parallels between Native American and First Nations Australian traditions. There’s so much we can learn from each other and I’m excited to listen and share”.
Flying Bark Productions’ president and CEO Barbara Stephen said, “I’m thrilled to be returning to the Australian Children’s Content Summit for the third year running – it’s such a special event for our industry. I can’t wait to join Kevin on stage to delve into his incredible career in the digital content space. Glitch Productions is truly at the forefront of animated storytelling for teens and young adults, and exploring the origin story of this trailblazing Australian independent studio will be a real highlight of the summit”.
SLR Productions CEO and Australian Children’s Content Summit founder Suzanne Ryan said, “This year’s ‘In Conversation’ line-up brings together an extraordinary mix of global storytellers and industry leaders. With 260 delegates from 10 countries, the Australian Children’s Content Summit has become a vital platform for connection, collaboration and creative exchange in the children’s and family content industry. These sessions not only inspire but also help set the agenda for how we grow and sustain our sector into the future”.
AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S CONTENT SUMMIT DETAILS – SOLD OUT EVENT
DATES: Monday 25 August to Thursday 28 August 2025
LOCATION: Pacific Bay Resort, Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour
http://www.australianchildrenscontentsummit.comOver the past two years, the Australian Children’s Content Summit has been a resounding success, attracting 260 delegates from 12 countries, including a distinguished line-up of industry leaders from ABC, NITV, BBC, BBC Studios, CBC, PBS Kids, Apple TV+, Disney, Netflix, Sony, Paramount, ITV, Amazon Kids+ Originals, Warner Bros Discovery Kids, YouTube, Nine, Hello Sunshine, and many more. The summit continues to grow in both impact and reach, establishing itself as a key platform for connection, collaboration and conversation across the global children’s content industry.
Once again hosted by Emma Watkins, known for her ARIA award-winning musical children’s show ‘Emma Memma’ this year’s summit is shaping up to be the most exciting one yet, with inspiring speakers, engaging sessions, incredible pitching opportunities, key workshops, curated matchmaking, ice-breaker events, unparalleled networking connections and outdoor experiences – all set in Australia’s stunning NSW coastal backdrop.
Building on its success, this year’s summit offers delegates exceptional access to leading content professionals, including producers, creators, writers, directors, buyers, distributors, investors, screen agencies, policymakers and industry influencers.
The Australian Children’s Content Summit continues to provide a unique setting for high-level and industry relevant activities from speaker panels, exclusive content pitches, business discussions to outdoor adventures and fun social engagements, delegates will also have the opportunity to explore the Coffs Coast – a coastal getaway in Northern New South Wales that has got it all and is the state’s first ECO destination.
The summit has firmly established itself as Australia’s premier platform for the children’s and family content industry to network, collaborate, share insights and build significant business relationships. The Australian Children’s Content Summit remains the only dedicated event of its kind in the country, proudly celebrating the power and potential of stories for local and international audiences.
The 2025 Australian Children’s Content Summit is proudly supported by a wide network of partners across Government, industry and commercial sectors.
Presented by: SLR Productions
Principal Partner: Australian Children’s Television Foundation
Major Government Partners: Screen Australia, Screen NSW
Major Partner: Minderoo Foundation
Platinum Partner: Flying Bark Productions
Gold Partners: ABC, Simpsons, Screenwest, Merchantwise
Silver Partners: Netflix, Screen Territory, Silver Trak Digital, Cute Music
Bronze Partners: Screenrights, Fremantle, Input Advisory, Studio Goose, Fulcrum Media Finance, Bus Stop Films
Industry Partner: Screen Producers Australia
Destination Partner: City of Coffs Harbour
Travel Partner: Qantas
Source: Adele Feletto Publicity
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topics
Australian Children's Content Summit
Barbara Stephen
Flying Bark Productions
Karissa Valencia
Kevin Lerdwichagyk
Kyas Hepworth
Leah Purcell AM
Suzanne Ryan
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