Outstanding Canadian kids content was recognized last night at the annual Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence Gala, held in Toronto at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio.
The Emerging Talent Award went to Mike Geiger, who has worked in broadcast animation for over 10 years, in roles ranging from animator to director, and is currently a creative consultant on his series Winston Steinburger and Sir Dudley Ding Dong, set to air on Teletoon and ABC Australia.
The Outstanding Achievement Award, meanwhile, was handed to Andra Sheffer, CEO of two private funds supporting Canada’s digital media, television and film industries (Independent Production Fund, COGECO Program Development Fund).
To honor Sheffer’s contribution to the industry, a bursary has been created in her name. Starting in 2016, and for 18 years, an amount of CDN$1,500 will be awarded to support a student in the youth media field.
Hosted by Second City Toronto alum and actor/ improviser/writer Ashley Comeau, the awards gala included a special surprise tribute for longtime TVO children’s programming exec Pat Ellingson, who will be retiring in August.
Here is the full list of last night’s winners:
Grand Prize for Best Production – All Categories: Annedroids “New Pals” (produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment, aired on TVO)
Best Television Program, All Genres, Ages 3–5 category: The Adventures of Napkin Man “Try-Share-A-Tops – Just Me in the Tree” (produced by Breakthrough Entertainment & Little Airplane, aired on Kids’ CBC)
Best Television Program, All Genres, Ages 6–8 category: Odd Squad “Zero Effect/Bad Luck Bears” (produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment with The Fred Rogers Company & PBS Kids, aired on TVO)
Best Television Program, All Genres, Ages 9–12 category: Bunks (produced by Fresh TV & Inferno Pictures, aired on Disney XD Canada/Family)
Best Television Program, All Genres, Teen category: Degrassi “Unbelievable” (produeced by Epitome Pictures, aired on MTV)
Best Television Program, Interstitial, All Ages category: Big Block Singsong “Move It/Underwater/Waiting/Try/Astronaut” (produced by Goddard/Brown, aired on Kid’s CBC)
Best Television Program, Animation, Ages 3–5 category: Peg + Cat “The Arch Villain Problem” (produced by 9 Story Media Group, aired on Treehouse)
Best Television Program, Animation, Ages 6–8 category: The Legend of Sarila (produced by CarpeDiem Film & TV and 10e Ave productions, aired on TMN, Movie Central, SRC, Super Écran)
Best Television Program, Animation, Ages 9–14 category: Fangbone! “The Warbrute of Friendship” (produced by Radical Sheep Productions, aired on Disney XD Canada)
Best Original Digital Content: Slice Fractions (produced by Ululab)
Best Convergent Website: Hi Opie! Interactive (produced by marblemedia with TVO)
Award of Excellence, Best Convergent App: Mamma Yamma Photo Adventure (produced by Kids’ CBC)
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