Oscar-winning illustrator Shaun Tan and renowned children’s author and USC Professor of Creative Writing Gary Crew will be among the drawcards for this Saturday’s sessions of the Children’s Media Symposium starting at USC Sunshine Coast on Friday (24 November).

The internationally-recognised duo will discuss storytelling, art and their creative collaborations at an In Conversation session from 9am to 11am on Saturday 25 November on campus at Sippy Downs.

Their session will be followed at 11.30am by a presentation of the latest research on children’s use of technology and media.

Creative director David Webster from Cheeky Little Media will discuss the making of Netflix’s first global kids’ show, Bottersnikes and Gumbles at 2.30pm.

And insights into the making of new CGI-animated series Thunderbirds Are Go will be on offer from 4pm, with producers Stuart McAra and Lisa Chatfield from Pukeko Pictures.

The symposium has been organised by Dr Anna Potter, a USC Senior Lecturer in Screen and Media who has an Australian Research Council fellowship for her study, ‘International Transformation in Children’s Television 2013-18’.

“The symposium will highlight research into how children are engaging with screens, both for learning and entertainment, while allowing some of our most successful storytellers to share their creative practices,” she said.

Key speakers on Friday 24 November will include former head of ABC Television and USC Adjunct Professor Kim Dalton OAM.

A public screening of ABCME’s new live action drama Mustangs F.C. will be held on Sunday 26 November, with its young stars in attendance. The screening will be hosted by Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Caitlin Bassett.

The ticketed symposium is open to the public. Details on program, prices and registration.

— Julie Schomberg