Yoram Gross
Yoram Jerzy Gross (18 October 192621 September 2015) was a Polish-Australian filmmaker. He founded the animation studio Flying Bark Productions. He was known for his adaptation of children's characters from books and films, and best known for the production of the films Dot and the Kangaroo and Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala.
Also recorded as Yoram Jerzy Gross · Yoram J Gross · Yoram J. Gross
Yoram Gross

Image was found from the Google Doodles website · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Yoram Gross
- Birth Name
- Yoram Jerzy Gross
- Born
- 18 October 1926
- Birthplace
- Kraków, Second Polish Republic
- Died
- 21 September 2015
- Place of death
- Sydney, Australia
- Occupation
- Animation director and founder of Flying Bark Productions
- Spouse
- Sandra Gross
- Nationality
- Australia
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Documentary summary
Yoram Jerzy Gross (18 October 192621 September 2015) was a Polish-Australian filmmaker. He founded the animation studio Flying Bark Productions. He was known for his adaptation of children's characters from books and films, and best known for the production of the films Dot and the Kangaroo and Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala.
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Yoram Gross (1926–2015) was an Australian director, film director and film producer, among other activities. The director worked in Australia.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Yoram Gross • Birth Name — Yoram Jerzy Gross • Born — 18 October 1926 • Birthplace — Kraków, Second Polish Republic • Died — 21 September 2015 • Place of death — Sydney, Australia • Occupation — Animation director and founder of Flying Bark Productions • Years Active — 1947–2015 • Spouse — Sandra Gross • Illustration — Commemorative plaque. 12 Sarego Street, Kraków, Poland
Early life and education
Early life and education
Yoram Jerzy Gross was born on 18 October 1926 in Kraków, Poland to a religious Jewish family and was the younger brother of the film director Natan Gross. Gross endured World War II under the Nazi regime. His family was on Oskar Schindler's list, but chose to make their own risky escape, moving hiding places 72 times. Gross studied music and musicology at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow (also known as Krakow University). He first entered the film industry in 1947 at the age of 20 when he became one of the first students of Jerzy Toeplitz (founder of the Polish Film Institute, the Swiss Film Institute, and the Australian Film and Television School).
Early career
Early career
Gross began his career as an assistant to Polish directors Eugene Cenkalski and Leonard Buczkowski as well as the Dutch director Joris Ivens and studied script writing under Carl Foreman. In 1950 Gross moved from Poland to Israel, where he worked as a newsreel and documentary cameraman. He then became an independent film producer and director and began winning prizes at international film festivals. His full-length feature, Joseph the Dreamer (1962), a biblical story, received special prizes in many countries. His experimental film Chansons Sans Paroles (1958) was heralded by some international film critics as the most interesting film of 1959. Another comedy, One Pound Only (1964), set the box office record of the year.
Australian career
Australian career
In 1967 Gross, his wife Sandra and young family migrated to Australia and lived in Sydney. They established Yoram Gross Film Studio in their house, as remote workers. Gross continued to make experimental films and to win awards. He originally produced film clips for the popular weekly television music program Bandstand for such artists as John Farnham. At the Sydney Film Festival in 1970, he was awarded second prize for The Politicians in the category of best Australian-made film, and at the 1971 Australian Film Awards, his film To Nefertiti won the bronze award.
Dot series
Dot series
The first animated feature film produced by the Yoram Gross Film Studio, called Dot and the Kangaroo (1977), used a special aerial image technique of drawings over live action backgrounds. The film was based on an Australian classic best seller by Ethel Pedley, and was described by ABC film critic John Hinde as a "brilliant technical success and the best cartoon film originated in Australia". It won Best Children's Film in Tehran and also won a Sammy Award for the Best Animated Film at the 1978 Australian Film Institute Television Awards. Gross went on to produce, direct, and script a total of 16 feature films for 19 children. Eight films featuring the adventures of Dot from the original film Dot and the Kangaroo. Dot and the Bunny (1984) was the winner of the 1983 Best Animated Film at the 28th Asia Pacific Film Festival, and Dot and Keeto (1985) won the Red Ribbon Award at the 1986 American Film and Video Festival. Coinciding with the release of the films, Gross also published books based on the films Dot and the Kangaroo, The Little Convict and Save the Lady.
Magic Riddle
Magic Riddle
Gross's 1991 animated film The Magic Riddle was based on an original story and is a mixture of fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, and others.
Blinky Bill
Blinky Bill
In 1992 Gross released Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala, based on the Australian children's classic by Dorothy Wall. This film featured an Australian koala and introduced Blinky Bill to an international audience. Blinky Bill generated one of Australia's most successful merchandising programs, bringing in millions of dollars in export earnings. In 1993 Yoram Gross Film Studio diversified into animated series for television. The first two of the Blinky Bill series, The Adventures of Blinky Bill and Blinky Bill's Extraordinary Excursion, totalled 52 half-hour episodes and achieved significant international success, particularly in Europe. After Blinky Bill, Gross co-produced the series Tabaluga (26 half hours) with EM.TV & Merchandising AG, which became a top-rated children's show in Germany. An animated series adapting Australia's best-known kangaroo, Skippy, was completed in 1998, whereupon the studio commenced the animation of Flipper & Lopaka. Both series respectively comprise 26 and 78 half-hour episodes.
Later career
Later career
In March 1999, EM.TV a 50% share ownership in Yoram Gross Film Studio acquired from Village Roadshow Limited to form Yoram Gross-EM.TV Pty Ltd (YGEM) was created. This new partnership marked the transition from a family business to a world brand. EM.TV and YGEM committed to the production of 10 new series over the next five years. In the following year the studio worked with the Canadian Nelvana to plan an animated adaptation of Dav Pilkey's Dumb Bunnies. The new millennium cemented Gross and EM.TV's position as the number-one family entertainment business in the Australian country and supplier of quality children's content to the world. The studio completed a second series of both Tabaluga and Flipper and Lopaka, as well as a brand new series, Old Tom. The Seven Network programmed a dedicated block of television produced by Yoram Gross – a fulfilment of its commitment to screen quality 'C classified' drama for children. Gross and EM.TV also launched the Junior TV channel in Germany, but shut down in many years later. Gross's autobiography, My Animated Life, was released in April 2011.
Death
Death
Gross died in Sydney at the age of 88 on 21 September 2015.
TV series
TV series
• Bright Sparks (1989) • The Adventures of Blinky Bill (1993) • Blinky Bill's Extraordinary Excursion (1995) • Samuel and Nina (1996–1997) • Tabaluga (1997–2004) • Skippy: Adventures in Bushtown (1998–1999) (also known as Skippy: Adventures in Bushland) • Dumb Bunnies (1998–1999) (with Nelvana) • Flipper and Lopaka (1999–2005) • Fairy Tale Police Department (2001–2002) • Old Tom (2001–2002) • Bambaloo (2003–2004) (with The Jim Henson Company) • Art Alive (2003–2005) • Seaside Hotel (2003–2005) • Blinky Bill (2004) • Dive, Olly, Dive! (2005) (with Mike Young Productions) • Deadly (2005–2006) • Staines Down Drains (2006–2011) • Master Raindrop (2008–2009) • Legend of Enyo (2009–2010) • Zigby (2009–2013) • Zeke's Pad (2010) • Vic the Viking (2013–2014) • Tashi (2014–2015) • Heidi (2015) (final project)
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
Yoram Gross was recorded at birth as Jerzy Gross. The authorities additionally record the headings Yoram Jerzy Gross, Yoram J Gross and Yoram J. His recorded language was English. He married Sandra Gross and Alina Gross. One child is recorded: Guy Gross.
Identity
Identity
Yoram Gross is recorded with the occupation television producer. Recorded with the occupation film director. Recorded as film producer, screenwriter, film director and television producer. Established in Bibliothèque nationale de France under 14449284t. Established in Library of Congress under n85389593. Established in FAST under 1913938. Recognition and collections. Gross received Commander of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, Member of the Order of Australia and Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
Explore 1926–2015
The full dated record · 5 entries
1926
Yoram Gross was born on 18 October 1926.
1995
Receives Member of the Order of Australia.
1995
Yoram Gross received Member of the Order of Australia in 1995.
2015
Dies at Sydney.
2015
Yoram Gross died on 21 September 2015.
Animated films and TV series
Animated films and TV series
After 1977 Gross devoted his energies to animated films and series, but maintained an interest in experimental films with awards to assist young filmmakers including the Yoram Gross Award for Best Animated Film at the Sydney Film Festival and the Yoram Gross Best Animation Award at the Flickerfest International Film Festival. Gross wrote a book on making animated films, titled The First Animated Step (1975) and produced a film of the same title.
Feature films
Feature films
• Year — Title — Notes • 1962 — Joseph the Dreamer • 1964 — One Pound Only • 1977 — Dot and the Kangaroo • 1979 — The Little Convict — AKA Toby and the Koala • 1981 — Around the World with Dot — AKA Dot and Santa Claus • 1982 — Sarah — AKA Sarah (The Seventh Match) and Sarah and the Squirrel • 1983 — Dot and the Bunny • 1984 — The Camel Boy • Epic — AKA Epic: Days of the Dinosaur • 1985 — Dot and the Koala • 1986 — Dot and Keeto • Dot and the Whale • 1987 — Dot and the Smugglers — AKA Dot and the Bunyip • Dot Goes to Hollywood • 1991 — The Magic Riddle • 1992 — Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala • 1994 — Dot in Space • 1999 — Skippy Saves Bushtown • 2005 — Tabaluga and Leo • Blinky Bill's White Christmas • 2006 — Flipper & Lopaka: The Feature • 2007 — Gumnutz: A Juicy Tale • 2010 — Santa's Apprentice • 2011 — Blinky & Me • 2015 — Blinky Bill the Movie
Short films
Short films
• Chansons Sans Paroles (1958) • Song Without Words (1958) • Hava Nagila (1959) • We Shall Never Die (1959) • Bon Appetit (1969) • Barry Crocker's Danny Boy (1970) • Janice Slater's Call It What You May (1970) • John Farnham's One (1970) • The Politicians (1970) • To Nefertiti (1971) • Seasons (1972) • Sun (1975) • Professor Filutek (1999) • The Naked Tree (2003) • Autumn in Krakow (2007) • Fuchsia Ballerinas (2007) • Young Musicians (2007–2008) • Don't Forget... (2010) • Why... (2010) • Forest Holocaust (2011) • Sentenced to Death (2011) • The Liar (2012) • Kaddish (2013)
Reception
How Yoram Gross was received and recognised. Gross received Commander of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. Gross received Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis. Gross received Member of the Order of Australia in 1995.
Context
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which Yoram Gross stands. Bridge #1 is dated c.
Documents and archives
Primary material
Documents and archives
scholarly publication
- Yoram Gross: Bringing Australian Animation to the World, One Dot at a Time, Australian Animation, 2018
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2018
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 10076626-2, Yoram Gross - EM.TV Pty. Ltd. (Camperdown).
Unverified · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
institutional register
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q54855: Yoram Gross
Unverified · Wikimedia Foundation
Honours and recognition
Gross won more than 80 international awards for his various films, and was honoured in the 1995 Australia Day Honours with a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Australian film industry, particularly in animation techniques. In May 2007, Gross celebrated his 60th anniversary in the film industry. In recognition of the milestone, the New South Wales Film and Television Office honoured him by hosting a special retrospective screening of his career highlights, including the screening of Gross's most recent project, Autumn in Krakow, a poignant short film on his home town of Kraków, based on his late brother Nathan's poetry. In 2011, Gross was awarded the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and the Medal for Merit to Polish Culture – "Gloria Artis". The Yoram Gross Animation Award, sponsored by his wife Sandra and son Guy Gross, is given to an Australian short film at the Sydney Film Festival each year. As of 2025 the prize is worth in cash, and winners are 'Academy Award eligible'. For users in four countries: Australia, Greece, Germany, and Israel, a Google Doodle was made for what would have been his 95th birthday to celebrate his life and works.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Lifetime of cartoon heroes. The Australian Jewish News.
- 2.Mark Roberts: A pioneer of three countries. Encore.
- 3.Bulbeck, Pip. Yoram Gross, Australian Animation Pioneer, Dies at 88. The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. 21 September 2015.
- 4.www.devdiscourse.com. Yoram Gross: Google Doodle on Australian director, animator, scriptwriter on his 95th birthday. 18 October 2021.
- 5.Marsupial Madness: The Success of Yoram Gross. Animation News Network.
- 6.My animated Life. SBS.
- 7.Blinky Bill's animator pens his own story. ABC.
- 8.'Film producer Yoram Gross has died at age 88'. 22 September 2015. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia.
- 9.It's an Honour: AM. Retrieved 22 September 2015
- 10.'Yoram Gross has passed away'. 20 September 2015. Kraków Film Festival.
- 11.Awards. Sydney Film Festival. 24 June 2024.
- 12.Yoram Gross' 95th Birthday. www.google.com.
Bibliography printed in the source article · 1
- Cassell Illustrated. 501 Movie Directors. 299. 2007. 9781844035731.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
scholarly publication
Yoram Gross: Bringing Australian Animation to the World, One Dot at a Time, Australian Animation, 2018Crossref registry
Verifiedauthority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 10076626-2, Yoram Gross - EM.TV Pty. Ltd. (Camperdown).Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Partially resolvedinstitutional register
Wikidata, structured authority record Q54855: Yoram GrossWikimedia Foundation
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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