The thrilling mystery drama Kaitangata Twitch has sold to Australia's ABC TV in a deal bypassing the expected rush at MIPJunior. Produced in New Zealand, the land that brought to life Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and Whale Rider, Kaitangata Twitch is a tale of the modern world confronted by Maori legend.

It is packed with drama, live-action, CGI, myth and magic, from the fertile imagination of internationally beloved author Margaret Mahy, who recently received the world's most prestigious prize for children's literature: the Hans Christian Andersen Award, given for a whole body of work. She also won the Major Picture Book Prize at this year's Boston Globe Horn book awards, while over two hundred of her stories have been translated into 15 different languages.

"We are delighted that ABC TV will screen Kaitangata Twitch. New Zealand has a wonderful, rich Maori culture and we have no doubt our audience will enjoy this very personal tale by Margaret Mahy, says Barbara Uecker of ABC TV. "The production is convincing with its great cast, amazing location and thrilling story."

"We are delighted to have achieved our first sale with ABC TV Australia. It's perfectly suited to this excellent series, which we're thrilled to be a part of," says Jack Lenz of distributor Lenz Entertainment, who are adding to their Pre-school, Children and Tween slate with this live-action, CGI, 13 part drama. Kaitangata Twitch is directed by Yvonne Mackay, episodic director of some of New Zealand's most popular drama including Duggan; The Insiders Guide to Happiness and the family feature The Silent One. The story is Mahy's first cross-cultural tale, and a personal one, dealing with land dear to her heart and her family roots - her European New Zealand background and her 21st century part-Maori nephews and nieces.

"Kaitangata Twitch deals with a number of strong themes over 13 x half hours," says director Mackay: "Conservation of the environment; the breakdown of family and most importantly, of young people finding their identity and their place within the world and their own mixed race family. There are such wonderful themes, which really reflect the qualities of the Prix Jeunesse - a celebration of diversity and a youth being special, but different."

The series also features an island that eats people! Bringing the island to life has been in the hands of CGI wizard Ken Gorrie of Ian Taylor's Animation Research Ltd (ARL).

In addition to Anna Paquin and Keisha Castle-Hughes, 13 year old Te Waimarie Kessell proves to be another great Kiwi acting discovery in the lead role of Meredith, a girl who feels a strange connection to the ghost of a young girl and the island of Kaitangata [Kai=food; Tangata=People]. Kessell (the niece of actress Simone) stars alongside acclaimed stage and screen actor George Henare (Once Were Warriors) as the mysterious old man, Lee Kaa and Charles Mesure (Bones, Without a Trace, Crossing Jordan) as Meredith's Greenie father, Carey.

They are supported by some high quality local talent, both exciting newcomers and established screen stars. The series has been adapted for television by top New Zealand writers Gavin Strawhan; Michael Bennett and Laureate 2000 Briar Grace-Smith. Shot in High Definition on location in Mahy's territory - Governor's Bay outside Christchurch, New Zealand, Kaitangata Twitch completed thirteen weeks of production in May 2009.

David Paul is Director of Photography and Paul Sutorius Editor. Both won respective awards for their work on the telefeature (Until Proven Innocent) at the Qantas TV Awards in September 09. Gary Mackay (The Tattoist) is Production Designer and charismatic composer Gareth Farr (The Wedding) created the haunting New Zealand soundtrack maximizing the talents of Richard Nunns, a living expert on ancient Maori instruments.

The $6 million series is produced by veterans of many New Zealand dramas: Chris Hampson producer with Dorothee Pinfold and Yvonne Mackay Executive Producers. Kaitangata Twitch will be distributed internationally by Canadian-based Lenz Entertainment and launched at MipJunior on 3rd October 2009.