Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Titles tagged with ‘fantasy’

28 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year

1950s

The Workman’s Nightmare short film – 1951

In the first short film from amateur filmmakers the Straford Brothers, a young man falls asleep on his work break and dreams that his ladder attacks him.

1960s

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Episode 148 television program – c1960

Mr Squiggle is one of the most recognised children’s television characters. Although no longer on air, he continues to appear at exhibitions and science fiction conventions.

General Motors Holden – The Time is Now advertisement – 1966

This ad targets a female audience, emphasising the car’s comfort and style as well as power.

1970s

Adventure Island – Episode 1174 television program – 1972

A successful children’s show set on the magical Adventure Island, a ‘land that’s far across the sea’.

1980s

Passionless Moments short film – 1983

Jane Campion’s student short film delivers funny, fragmentary tales with an unsentimental whimsy.

Playing Beatie Bow feature film – 1985

Playing Beatie Bow has the sumptuous look and feel of a period film, thanks to its award-winning cinematography and production design.

I Should Be So Lucky music – 1987

The second single from Kylie’s debut album, Kylie (1988), penned by English pop writing-producing phenomenon Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

Shadowland short film – 1988

In Anthony Lucas’s animated student film, humanity evolves in a savage landscape.

Round the Twist – Series One – Skeleton on the Dunny television program – 1989

This first episode gives a real taste for the eclectic range of themes and elements which combine to create the Round The Twist magic.

Round the Twist – Series One – Spaghetti Pig Out television program – 1989

This is a clever and funny episode, based on a simple ‘What if…’ premise. There is loads of silly slapstick, and a spectacular dose of yuck at the end.

1990s

More Winners – The Big Wish television program – 1990

The faeries in the Enchanted Realm are in trouble. Today is the last day to grant seven wishes to humans or they will lose their magic power – forever!

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Cheer Up television program – 1990

A 1990s episode of iconic children’s series Mr Squiggle and Friends created and performed by Norman Hetherington, written by Margaret Hetherington and co-presented by their daughter Rebecca Hetherington.

Lift Off – A Load of Old Rubbish television program – 1992

EC has minimal facial features and doesn’t talk, communicating through gesture and movement. Children warm immediately to this doll and what it represents.

Lift Off – That’s Not Fair – Part A television program – 1992

Mixes live action, animation, puppetry and fantasy to challenge, intrigue and encourage children to think for themselves.

Lift Off – That’s Not Fair – Part B television program – 1992

Spruikers from the ‘Bonza’ cereal advertisement come out of the TV set to persuade Poss and Kim that buying Bonza will make all their dreams come true.

Round the Twist – Series Two – Nails television program – 1992

This episode is quite different from many others in the Round the Twist series. While it still has lots of humour, it is a rather more serious, romantic and sad story.

That Eye, the Sky feature film – 1994

Twelve-year-old Morton ‘Ort’ Flack lives in the outback. When Ort’s father is paralysed in an accident, a stranger named Henry arrives, offering to help.

The Genie From Down Under – It’s my Opal … (and I’ll cry if I want to) television program – 1995

This episode shifts the action to Australia and introduces ‘the tour guide from hell’ and his sneaky nephew, both in pursuit of a magical opal.

Petals – A Boot Full of Petals television program – 1997

Petals is an animated series for preschool children which revolves around the adventures of five tiny flower ‘petals’ who live at the bottom of an overgrown garden.

Bananas in Pyjamas – Banana Breakfast television program – 1999

The combination of visually appealing characters with the 'Bananas in Pyjamas’ song created a highly popular and commercially successful preschool series.

The New Adventures of Ocean Girl – Hearing The Call television program – 1999

The highlights of episode three are the comic scenes with the hammy evil Elgar and the slapstick comedy between the villainous Space Wizard’s sidekicks Elgar and Moza.

Thunderstone – Episode Three television program – 1999

This episode showcases the fabulous production design and high production values that are the feature of this quality children’s series.

2000s

Legacy of the Silver Shadow – The Feral Element television program – 2002

1950s superhero the Silver Shadow and his archenemy The Crab are revealed to four kids who carry on the struggle between good and evil.

Wicked Science – Episode 1, The Gift television program – 2003

The spectacular dinosaur scenes and the transformation from nerd to villainous ice queen make this a not-to-be-missed episode.

Fergus McPhail – Double Trouble television program – 2004

The hapless Fergus, who is probably the biggest dag around, is trying to be cool as he attempts to settle into his new life. Of course all does not go to plan.

The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello short film – 2005

The film evokes an aura of mystery from the outset and is a superb example of how animation at its best can create a magical imaginary, yet convincing, world.

Staines Down Drains – Once More Unto the Drains television program – 2005

In a typical Yoram Gross touch, environmental messages are constantly reinforced through the stories – here, the consequences of allowing toxic waste into the drains.

H20: Just Add Water – Hocus Pocus television program – 2007

H2O: Just Add Water is about three teenagers facing everyday problems but with a twist – they become mermaids when in contact with water.