Julie Kalceff is an award-winning writer, director, and producer best known for writing, directing and co-producing the television series First Day. This ground-breaking story of a 12-year-old transgender girl starting high school has sold to multiple territories worldwide including the UK (CBBC) and the US (Hulu). First Day won the prestigious Rose d'Or Award for Best Children and Youth Series in 2020; First Prize in the Live Action Television Category at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival; and the ATOM Award for Best Children’s Television Program. First Day was nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program in 2020, and Julie was nominated for Best Screenplay in Television. The series is nominated for two 2021 Kidscreen Awards.
Prior to this, Julie wrote, directed, and produced the international hit digital drama series Starting From Now. Attracting critical and popular acclaim, it is one of the most watched web series in the world — amassing over 160 million views in 230 countries. The series also sold to and played on broadcast television in Australia.
Julie is the founder and director of the Sydney-based production company Common Language Films. She has helped raise public awareness around the lack of diversity on screen and has paved the way by embedding diverse characters in stories with broad appeal.