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Jonathan M. Shiff
Jonathan M. Shiff
Jonathan M. Shiff
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Jonathan Mark Shiff is an Australian television producer of television series. After leaving his work as a lawyer, he founded his own Melbourne-based production company, Jonathan M. Shiff Productions, in 1988. His company produces programs for children and families, which are screened in 170 countries.[1] He is regarded in the industry as being known for discovering Australian talent who go on to successful international careers, such as Margot Robbie, Liam Hemsworth, Claire Holt, and Phoebe Tonkin.[2]

Key Information

Notable projects

[edit]

Shiff is best known for producing the Ocean Girl series, the H2O: Just Add Water series and spinoff Mako Mermaids, which stream on Netflix.[3] Shiff also produced the television series The Bureau of Magical Things.[4]

Upcoming projects

[edit]

While his professional homepage hints that a movie of 90 minutes length has been produced for Mako Mermaids,[5] the B2B-site that ZDF Enterprises — distributor of the H2O franchise — operates for said show, shows no sign of such movie produced.[6]

Shiff also hinted the movie on social media.[7][8]

Filmography

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Television

[edit]
Title Year Credited as Network Production company Notes
Creator Producer Executive
producer
The Pandas: Fei Fei and Xiao Xiao China's Living Treasures 1988 Yes No Westbridge Films Documentary
Search for the World's Most Secret Animals 1989 No Yes Documentary
Kelly 1991–92 No Network 10 Westbridge Entertainment
Baby Bath Massacre 1994 Yes No Jonathan M. Shiff Productions Television film
Ocean Girl 1994–97 Yes Yes Network 10
Thunderstone 1999–2000 Executive producer (season 3)
The New Adventures of Ocean Girl 2000 No No Media World Features
Horace and Tina 2001 Yes Yes Jonathan M. Shiff Productions
Cybergirl 2001–02 Jonathan M. Shiff Productions & Daniel Scharf Productions
Pirate Islands 2003 Concept Jonathan M. Shiff Productions
Wicked Science 2004–06
Scooter: Secret Agent 2005
H2O: Just Add Water 2006–10 Yes
The Lost Treasure of Fiji 2007 No Banana J Media
The Elephant Princess 2008–11 Yes Jonathan M. Shiff Productions
Lightning Point 2012 No
Reef Doctors 2013
Mako: Island of Secrets 2013–16 Developer
The Bureau of Magical Things 2018–21 Yes Eleven
10 Shake

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Jonathan M. Shiff

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Jonathan M. Shiff is an Australian television producer renowned for creating and producing high-quality live-action children's and family drama series, particularly in the and fantasy genres, with a focus on empowering young female protagonists. Born in , , Shiff initially trained and worked as a before transitioning to the television industry in the early . He began his production career at , where he served as in-house counsel while receiving training as a . In 1988, Shiff founded Jonathan M. Shiff Productions in , establishing it as an independent studio specializing in engaging, aspirational content for young audiences. As of 2020, the company has produced 29 seasons across 15 series, totaling 300 hours of content with budgets exceeding $232 million, often in collaboration with international partners like Enterprises and . Shiff's breakthrough came with (1994), a sci-fi series about a mysterious underwater girl that aired internationally on the and helped build key global partnerships. Subsequent successes include Thunderstone (1999), a post-apocalyptic adventure; (2004), about teen geniuses; and (2008), which launched the careers of actors like and . His most acclaimed works are the mermaid-themed franchises H2O: Just Add Water (2006–2010), sold to 120 countries, and its spin-off Mako Mermaids (2013–2016), the first live-action series released exclusively on in 120 territories. More recent projects include (2018–2021), a fantasy series co-produced with and Ten Network, filmed in . Shiff's productions have earned two BAFTA Awards and two Australian export honors, with Mako Mermaids generating the highest net revenue in 2017 among Screen Australia-funded dramas. Inspired by his , Shiff emphasizes high production values—often comparable to feature films—and themes of , self-discovery, and to appeal to global youth audiences.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Jonathan Mark Shiff was born in , . Public information regarding Shiff's family background and early childhood remains limited, with no detailed accounts of specific influences or anecdotes from his formative years in available in reputable sources. His Australian roots in the state are noted as foundational, though specifics on his upbringing are not widely documented.

Academic background

Jonathan M. Shiff pursued formal legal education in , qualifying as a with the initial intention of building a career in the . After several years in legal practice, he sought to channel his passion for storytelling into creative fields, enrolling at the Swinburne Film and Television School within in . There, he completed training in film and television production, gaining hands-on skills in script development, directing, and production techniques that directly foreshadowed his pivot from to media. This academic shift marked a pivotal moment.

Professional career

Jonathan M. Shiff commenced his professional career as a in , engaging in general legal practice for several years. In the early 1980s, Shiff joined , a prominent Australian television , where he was hired by founder Hector Crawford as a legal advisor for the Carson's Law following the retirement of former Premier from the role. This position marked his initial entry into the television industry, as Carson's Law—a period drama airing on Network Ten from 1983 to 1984—required specialized legal oversight amid its narrative focus on a pioneering female in 1920s . Shiff's employment at Crawford was structured around a deliberate transition from to production; he accepted the legal role on the explicit understanding that he would receive training as a producer, allowing him to acquire hands-on experience in all aspects of television production while continuing his advisory duties. This arrangement stemmed from Shiff's longstanding passion for , and reflected his dissatisfaction with the constraints of traditional legal work in favor of creative opportunities within the burgeoning Australian TV sector. By the mid-1980s, having developed a comprehensive "360-degree skill set" in production through this mentorship under ' powerhouse operations, Shiff was positioned to pivot fully toward television production.

Company founding

Jonathan M. Shiff established Jonathan M. Shiff Productions in 1988 as an independent based in , . The studio quickly focused on creating high-quality content for children and families, specializing in live-action drama series. Among its initial outputs was the documentary series Search for the World's Most Secret Animals in 1989, which explored rare wildlife and marked an early venture into educational programming. This project exemplified the company's emerging emphasis on engaging, adventure-driven narratives suitable for young audiences. Over the years, Jonathan M. Shiff Productions expanded significantly, producing live-action family television that has been screened in over 170 countries worldwide. The company's growth reflects its commitment to innovative storytelling that appeals to global markets, entertaining hundreds of millions of viewers.

Productions

Style and themes

Jonathan M. Shiff's productions are renowned for their high-quality live-action dramas targeted at children and families, featuring exciting and engaging narratives that blend imaginative storytelling with relatable character arcs. His work emphasizes aspirational content for tweens and teens, often incorporating universal human experiences to foster co-viewing appeal across age groups and global audiences. This approach stems from the founding of Jonathan M. Shiff Productions in 1988, which enabled a consistent focus on premium family-oriented television. Recurring themes in Shiff's oeuvre include fantasy and elements, such as mermaids, magic, and superpowers, intertwined with adventure and the discovery of hidden abilities by teen protagonists. These motifs often highlight , particularly for young female characters, alongside subtle environmental messages that underscore humanity's connection to the natural world, like the mysteries of water and marine ecosystems. Themes of friendship, inclusivity, and teamwork are woven in non-heavy-handed ways, promoting diversity and collaboration without overt , ensuring broad relatability for viewers aged 9-14 and beyond. Shiff's production techniques prioritize practical effects to achieve immersive fantasy sequences, such as underwater filming with prosthetic elements and safety protocols for open-water shoots. Much of his work is filmed on location in , particularly Queensland's Gold Coast and surrounding reefs, leveraging natural beaches and facilities like Sea World for authentic environmental backdrops. To enhance global reach, Shiff frequently engages in international co-productions with partners like Enterprises, , and Network Ten, infusing Australian perspectives into universally appealing stories.

Notable series

Jonathan M. Shiff's production career gained prominence with (1994–1997), an Australian series that follows Neri, a mysterious young girl from the ocean who forms bonds with a on a nearby island while evading threats from a corporation. Produced by Jonathan M. Shiff Productions, the series spanned four seasons and 78 episodes, establishing Shiff's signature style in family-oriented adventure storytelling and achieving international popularity as a children's program. Its success laid the groundwork for Shiff's subsequent projects, with sales to multiple territories highlighting its commercial viability. Building on this foundation, Shiff produced H₂O: Just Add Water (2006–2010), a fantasy adventure series centered on three teenage girls who gain powers after a magical encounter at Mako Island, navigating high school life and supernatural challenges. Co-produced with Enterprises, the show ran for three seasons and 78 episodes, becoming Shiff's biggest commercial hit with distribution in over 120 countries and strong viewership in and . The series' spin-off, Mako Mermaids (2013–2016), shifts focus to a boy who gains abilities, threatening the island's guardians, and explores themes of protection and friendship across three seasons and 68 episodes. Acquired by for exclusive first-run rights in key markets including the , , and , it extended the franchise's global reach, with production supported by and Network Ten. In 2018, Shiff created The Bureau of Magical Things (2018–2021), a modern fantasy series about teenager Kyra who discovers a hidden world of fairies, elves, and humans after gaining magical powers, leading her to join a secret bureau to combat threats. The show produced 40 episodes across two seasons, with the second season filmed in following the first's strong reception. Co-developed with and acquired by for US premiere, it achieved international sales and broadcast deals, reinforcing Shiff's track record in blending live-action with fantastical elements. Earlier works like Thunderstone (1999–2000), a post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure about a , , traveling through time to save Earth, built on 's momentum with international distribution following its three-season run of 52 episodes. Similarly, (2008–2011) featured a Sydney teen discovering her royal heritage in a magical kingdom, spanning two seasons and 52 episodes with sales to networks in and , contributing to Shiff's growing portfolio of tween-targeted fantasies.

Recognition and legacy

Awards received

In 1998, Ocean Girl won the BAFTA Children's Award in the International category. In 1999, Thunderstone received the same BAFTA honour. In 2001, Shiff was awarded the in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for his services to Australian society and to Australian film production. Shiff received the Kids Trendsetter Award at MIPJunior in in 2018, recognizing his innovation and contributions to children's television production. For his work as producer on H₂O: Just Add Water, Shiff shared a 2009 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children's Program. The series also earned him a nomination for the 2008 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Children's Television Drama. In 2018, Shiff won the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Award for Best Children's Program for , co-produced with Stuart Wood. The series received a further AACTA nomination for Best Children's Program in 2021. Shiff's productions have also received two Australian export honors.

Industry impact

Jonathan M. Shiff has significantly influenced the Australian television industry by discovering and launching the careers of emerging talents who later achieved international stardom. Through his production of in 2008, Shiff cast in one of her first major roles, providing her breakthrough into acting before her rise to fame in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and . Similarly, appeared in the series, marking an early step in his career trajectory toward Hollywood successes such as . Shiff's keen eye for talent has been widely recognized, with his projects serving as springboards for actors like and from the H2O franchise to roles in global hits including . Shiff's contributions extend to bolstering Australia's success in children's programming, with his productions distributed in over 170 countries and reaching an estimated audience of hundreds of millions. Series such as H2O: Just Add Water and Mako Mermaids have exemplified this global reach, with the latter becoming Netflix's first live-action original released simultaneously in 50 territories (expanding to 120) and generating the highest net revenue in 2017 among Screen Australia-funded dramas. His strategic co-productions with international partners like Enterprises—dating back to a agreement extended multiple times—and have facilitated broad market penetration, including deals for that aired across Nickelodeon's networks in 170+ countries. These efforts have helped position Australian children's TV as a high-quality , sustaining a viable amid shifting global distribution landscapes. In promoting youth-oriented fantasy genres within family programming, Shiff has blended magical elements with real-world adolescent challenges, as seen in franchises like H2O that integrate lore with themes of and . His work also emphasizes environmental , drawing on natural settings like oceans and islands to highlight connections to the natural world and subtle conservation messages, such as the protection of marine ecosystems in Mako Mermaids. As of 2025, Shiff continues this influence through ongoing projects listed in Studios' catalogs, reinforcing fantasy-driven narratives that educate and entertain young audiences globally while fostering Australian storytelling's international appeal.

References

  1. https://worldscreen.com/tvkids/qa-with-mako-mermaids-jonathan-m-shiff/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0793291/
  3. https://www.australiantelevision.net/h2o/articles/profile_shiff.html
  4. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/jonathan-m-shiff-productions-pty-ltd/57871110
  5. https://if.com.au/jonathan-m-shiff-on-the-new-shooting-protocols-and-why-the-tv-producer-offset-must-be-doubled/
  6. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/screen-news/2018/06-18-international-tv-sales-snapshot-for-2017/part-4-interview-with-jonathan-shiff
  7. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6770966/jonathan-shiff-a-mind-of-magical-things/
  8. https://tvtonight.com.au/2013/06/venom-danger-and-tens-reef-doctors.html
  9. http://www.australiantelevision.net/h2o/articles/profile_shiff.html
  10. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0793291/bio/
  11. https://www.avid.wiki/Jonathan_M._Shiff_Productions
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780419/
  13. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2019/11-27-the-bureau-of-magical-things-season-2
  14. https://www.miragenews.com/magical-adventure-returns-with-bureau-of-magical-things-season-2/
  15. https://worldscreen.com/tvkids/creative-keynote-jonathan-m-shiff/
  16. https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/07/its-very-heartbreaking-jonathan-m-shiff-warns-of-childrens-tv-cliff.html
  17. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/ocean-girl-series/5128/
  18. https://aso.gov.au/titles/series/ocean-girl-series/
  19. https://www.vice.com/en/article/an-oral-history-of-ocean-girl/
  20. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43518259_H2O_Just_Add_Branding_Producing_High-Quality_Children%27s_TV_Drama_for_Multi-Channel_Environments
  21. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-acquires-australian-tv-series-574961/
  22. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mako-mermaids-sequel-to-global-smash-hit-series-h2o---just-add-water-coming-exclusively-to-netflix-in-july-212973721.html
  23. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-bureau-of-magical-things-series/38335/
  24. https://www.miragenews.com/magical-adventure-returns-bureau-of-magical-things-season-2-to-film-in-queensland/
  25. https://screenqueensland.com.au/sq-news/media-centre/nickelodeon-acquires-the-bureau-of-magical-things-and-new-stars-are-born-2/
  26. https://worldscreen.com/tvkids/zdfe-on-board-new-jonathan-m-shiff-project/
  27. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/thunderstone-series/12656/
  28. https://aso.gov.au/titles/series/thunderstone/
  29. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-elephant-princess-series/25794/
  30. https://www.bafta.org/awards/childrens/international-childrens/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0793291/awards/
  32. https://worldscreen.com/tvkids/world-screen-reveals-2018-kids-trendsetters/
  33. https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/jonathan-m-shiff-honoured-in-cannes.html
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491603/awards/
  35. https://www.zdf-studios.com/en/program-catalog/international/junior/live-action/h2o-just-add-water
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7153034/awards/
  37. https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2021-aacta-awards/
  38. https://www.ausfilm.com.au/news/the-bureau-of-magical-things/
  39. https://www.zdf-studios.com/sites/default/files/media/download/file/zdf-studios-selection-spring-summer-2025.pdf
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