SELECTED WORK
DANIELLE LAIDLEY: TWO TRIBES - Documentary feature film (2023)
Co-director | Co-writer
Following her outing by Victoria Police, Danielle Laidley’s public life as an ex-AFL football player and coach and her private life as a transgender woman collided. Two Tribes explores Danielle’s journey through addiction and arrest to finding love and renewed purpose as a member of the transgender community.
Produced by: Kirsty Stark (Epic Films) and Kate Butler (Kojo)
Directed by: Julie Kalceff and Sam Matthews
Broadcast: STAN (Australia)
Nominations: Australian Sports Commission Media Awards: Best Depiction of Inclusive Sport and Best Sport Profile (Broadcast), 2024
FIRST DAY S2 - Television series (2021)
Writer | Director | Co-producer
A new season of the Emmy Award winning series First Day follows Hannah in her second year of high school as she battles her own insecurities around dating, particularly whilst being in the public spotlight. But when she realises she has the opportunity to help a trans friend on his own journey, she quickly takes it, even though it will make her more of a target.
Produced by: Kirsty Stark (Epic Films) and Kate Butler (Kojo)
Starring: Evie Macdonald, Elena Liu, Jackson Evans, Nandini Rajagopal, Brenna Harding
Broadcast and SVOD: Hulu (US); ABC (Australia); SVT (Sweden); YLE (Finland); NRK (Norway); Canal Futura (Brazil); NHK (Japan); DRTV (Denmark); ZDF (Germany); CBC (Canada)
Nominations:
Emmy Awards: Outstanding Young Teen Series, 2022
GLAAD Awards: Outstanding Kids and Family Programming – Live Acton, 2023
MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Awards: Representation of Diversity in Kids Programming - Older Children, 2022
AACTA Awards: Best Children’s Program, 2022
Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards: Live Action – Youth, 2023
Kidscreen Awards: Best Live-Action Series – Tweens/Teen Programming, 2023
ADG Awards: Best Direction in a Children’s TV or SVOD Drama Series Episode, 2023
SPA Awards: Children’s Production of the Year, 2023
SDIN: Screen Diversity and Inclusion Award, 2023
ATOM Awards: Best Children’s Television Program, 2022
PM’S DAUGHTER S2 - Television series (2022)
Director (episodes 1 - 5)
Cat's life as the PM's daughter gets a shake up when a competitive internship leads her to unmask a brand new conspiracy against her mum. A surprise love interest (or two) creates confusion and heartbreak and Cat finds she has to decide between love and friendship.
Produced by: Fremantle Australia
Directed by: Julie Kalceff and Lisa Matthews
Broadcast: ABC TV (Australia)
Nominations: ADG Awards: Best Direction in a Children’s TV or SVOD Drama Series Episode, 2023
HERE OUT WEST - Feature film (2021)
Director
A baby is kidnapped from hospital by a desperate grandmother. Her flight sets off a chain of events that bring together complete strangers over the course of one dramatic day.
Produced by: Annabel Davis (Co-Curious) and Sheila Jayadev (Emerald Productions)
Directed by: Julie Kalceff, Fadia Abboud, Leah Purcell, Ana Kokkinos, Lucy Gaffy
Starring: Christine Milo, Anita Hegh, Lena Cruz, Elise Violan, Destiny Maylas
Written by: Nisrine Amine, Bina Bhattacharya, Matias Bolla, Claire Ceo, Arka Das, Duygu Dogan, Vonne Patiag, Tien Tran
Nomination:
AACTA Award: Best Feature Film, 2022
FIRST DAY - Television series (2019)
Writer | Director | Co-producer
It’s Hannah Bradford’s first year of high school. As a 12 year-old transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school, but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
Produced by: Kirsty Stark (Epic Films) and Kate Croser (Kojo)
Starring: Evie Macdonald, Elena Liu, Isabel Burmester, Jo Hunt, Brenna Harding
Broadcast and SVOD: ABC (Australia); CBBC (UK); Hulu (US); CBC (Canada); YLE (Finland); NRK (Norway); SVT (Sweden); DR TV (Denmark); Hot TV (Israel); TVNV (New Zealand); MOMOKIDS (Taiwan); NEP/NHK (Japan); Canal Futura (Brazil); RTE (Ireland); France Televisions (France); SABC (South Africa); Urban Pictures (Africa)
Awards:
International Emmy Awards Kids: Live Action, 2021
GLAAD Awards Outstanding Kids & Family Programming, 2021
BANFF World Media Festival Rockie Award Best Live Action Series (Children 0-10)
Rose d’Or Best Children and Youth Series, 2020
Kidscreen Award Best Live Action Series, 2021
Chicago International Children’s Film Festival First Prize Live Action Television Category, 2020
ATOM Award Best Children’s Television Program, 2020
The Japan Prize (Finalist) Second Runner Up in the Primary Division, 2020
FIRST DAY - Television episode (2017)
Writer | Director | Co-producer
It’s Hannah’s first day of high school. It's also the first day she’ll wear a girl’s school uniform and go by her chosen name instead of the boy’s name she was given at birth.
Produced by: Kirsty Stark (Epic Films)
Starring: Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford
Commissioned by ABC TV for ABC ME
Awards:
MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Award for Kids’ Programming, 2018
Gender Equity Prize, Prix Jeunesse International, 2018
STARTING FROM NOW - Online series (2014 - 2016)
Writer | director | producer
Starting From Now explores the lives of four inner-Sydney lesbians as they struggle to work out who they are, find a place where they belong, and maybe even find someone to love along the way.
Produced by: Julie Kalceff (Common Language Films), Rosie Lourde, and Lauren Orrell
Starring: Bianca Bradey, Sarah de Possesse, Rosie Lourde, Lauren Orrell
200 million views worldwide
Broadcast sale: SBS Australia
Awards:
International Academy of Web Television Award of Recognition, 2017
Outstanding Diversity Award – Melbourne WebFest, 2017
Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature - Mardi Gras Film Festival, 2016
Outstanding Writing in a Drama, Julie Kalceff – LA WebFest, 2016