Making further inroads down under, Netflix has teamed up with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) on an original content incubator initiative.

The “Celebrate Australia” program will provide development funding for one scripted or unscripted live-action series for tweens, as well as an animated preschool series concept. However, more than one project from each stream could be selected for support if there is an abundance of high-quality submissions.

Concepts can be original ideas or book adaptations in early-stage development, and they must laud some aspect of Australia’s uniqueness, be it the territory’s landscape, animals, culture, sports or sense of humor.

More specific hooks for live-action submissions could include mythical creatures, lore or outdoor survival, while preschool projects have the option to include repeatable songs and organic and additive learning goals. Both streams require a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and authentic representation both on screen and behind the camera.

Full details are available on the ACTF website, and submissions will be accepted from April 30 to May 31 from eligible Australian producers, production companies and creators. An undisclosed amount of funding will be awarded to selected entrants to develop a full series bible, storylines and a pilot script.

If the live-action project ultimately goes into production, “Celebrate Australia” is aiming for it to be fully produced domestically. The animation project could be a co-production, depending on budget.

This new program deepens Netflix’s presence in the Australian market, where the federal government is considering a requirement that streamers carry a certain percentage of local content.

Content incubators are also becoming more frequent for the ACTF, which recently put a call out for kids and family feature film concepts with Stan, the Australian streaming platform owned by Nine Network.