First Day (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Day |
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First Day title card
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| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Julie Kalceff |
| Directed by | Julie Kalceff |
| Starring |
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| Composer(s) | Michael Lira |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
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| Running time | 24 minutes |
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| Distributor | Australian Children's Television Foundation |
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| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 30 March 2020 – present |
First Day is an Australian drama TV series for children. It first aired on ABC Me on March 30, 2020. The show is about a twelve-year-old transgender girl named Hannah Bradford. A transgender girl is someone who was thought to be a boy when they were born, but they know they are a girl.
The series follows Hannah as she starts high school. She has to deal with the usual challenges of being a teenager. She also faces the special challenge of sharing her gender identity with new friends. Gender identity is who someone feels they are inside, whether they are a boy, a girl, or neither.
First Day was created by Julie Kalceff, who wrote and directed it. Evie MacDonald plays Hannah. The show was filmed in Adelaide, South Australia. It teaches important lessons about being yourself and finding where you belong. The show has won many awards for its positive message.
Contents
Story of First Day
Hannah Bradford is a twelve-year-old transgender girl. She is excited and nervous to start high school. This is the first time she will present herself as a girl in public. She wants to make new friends and fit in.
Hannah quickly becomes friends with Olivia, Jasmine, and Natalie. She doesn't tell them right away that she is transgender. But a girl from her old school, Isabella, knows Hannah's secret. Isabella tries to bully Hannah and threatens to tell everyone.
Hannah lives with her mom, Amanda, and her dad, Steve. They try to protect her. Sometimes this causes disagreements. Hannah has to learn to be brave and stand up for herself. She also learns to trust her friends.
Characters in First Day
Main Characters
- Evie MacDonald plays Hannah Bradford. Hannah is a confident twelve-year-old transgender girl. She enjoys taekwondo.
Other Characters
- Joanne Hunt plays Amanda Bradford, Hannah's mother.
- Brenna Harding plays Ms. Fraser, Hannah's math teacher.
- Anthony Brandon Wong plays Mr. Nguyen, the principal of Hillview High School.
- Mark Saturno plays Steve Bradford, Hannah's father.
- Ethan Gifford plays Jack Bradford, Hannah's older brother.
- Elena Liu plays Olivia, one of Hannah's new friends.
- Nandini Rajagopal plays Natalie, another new friend of Hannah's.
- Arwen Diamond plays Jasmine, also a new friend of Hannah's.
- Isabel Burmester plays Isabella, a former classmate who bullies Hannah.
- Jake Childs plays Sarah, a classmate who is also exploring their gender identity.
How First Day Was Made
First Day started as a short film in 2017. This short film was part of a program to support Australian female filmmakers. Evie MacDonald, who was eleven at the time, played Hannah. She became the first transgender actor to have a main role in an Australian TV drama.
Julie Kalceff, the writer and director, wanted to tell a story about a transgender teenager. She felt it was very important for a transgender girl to play Hannah. This led to Evie MacDonald being cast in the role.
In 2019, the short film was turned into a four-part TV series. Evie MacDonald and the original team returned for the series. Filming began in July 2019 in South Australia. The full series first aired on March 30, 2020. In November 2020, a second series was planned.
Episodes
Short Film (2017)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
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| 1 | "First Day" | Julie Kalceff | Julie Kalceff | 11 October 2017 | |
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Hannah finishes primary school and starts high school. She presents herself as a girl for the first time. The principal, Mr. Nguyen, is supportive. Hannah meets Olivia and they become friends. But Isabella, an old bully, recognizes Hannah and teases her. Hannah learns that Isabella is also having a tough time.
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Series 1 (2020)
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No. in series |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
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| 2 | 1 | "Episode One" | Julie Kalceff | Julie Kalceff | 30 March 2020 | |
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Hannah and her mom meet Mr. Nguyen about school. He says she can use the sick bay toilet at first. Hannah worries about others finding out she is transgender. She meets Olivia, Jasmine, and Natalie and makes new friends. But Isabella, an old bully, sees Hannah and threatens to tell her secret.
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| 3 | 2 | "Episode Two" | Julie Kalceff | Julie Kalceff | 31 March 2020 | |
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Hannah talks to Mr. Nguyen about Isabella. Her parents won't let her stay overnight at Jasmine's sleepover because her friends don't know her secret. Hannah tells Olivia she is transgender. Olivia promises to keep it secret. A message online reveals Hannah's secret in a hurtful way.
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| 4 | 3 | "Episode Three" | Julie Kalceff | Julie Kalceff | 1 April 2020 | |
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Hannah deals with her gender identity being shared online. She is scared to go back to school but decides to be brave. Jasmine is upset Hannah didn't tell her and ends their friendship. Mr. Nguyen lets Hannah use the girls' toilets. Hannah finds mean messages written in the stalls. She decides to go to school camp.
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| 5 | 4 | "Episode Four" | Julie Kalceff | Julie Kalceff | 2 April 2020 | |
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Hannah and her classmates go to school camp. Her friends throw her a surprise birthday party. Hannah shares stories about her life around the campfire. Sarah, a classmate, is inspired and tells Hannah about her own gender identity. Hannah promises to help her. Hannah realizes she is not afraid of Isabella anymore. She is proud of who she is and goes swimming with her friends.
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Where to Watch First Day
In September 2020, the series became available on Hulu in the United States. It also started airing on the children's network CBBC in the United Kingdom.
Awards for First Day
First Day has won many awards for its important story and how it shows diversity.
Awards for the Short Film
| Award | Year | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
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| FAN Chile Audiovisual Festival for Kids | 2018 | First Day | Best Children's Series (Fiction) | Won | |
| Mardi Gras Film Festival | 2018 | First Day | Best Screenplay and Audience Award | Won | |
| MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards | 2018 | First Day | Kids' Programming | Won | |
| Prix Jeunesse International Children's Television Festival | 2018 | First Day | Gender Equity Prize | Won |
Awards for the Series
| Award | Year | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
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| AACTA Awards | 2020 | First Day | Best Children's Program | Nominated | |
| GLAAD Media Award | 2021 | First Day | Outstanding Kids & Family Programming | Won (Tied) | |
| Kidscreen Awards | 2021 | First Day | Kids Programming – Best Live-Action Series | Won | |
| Rose d'Or Awards | 2020 | First Day | Children and Youth | Won |
See also
In Spanish: First Day para niños
