Press release For immediate release

Steven DeNure and Mars Horodyski honored by Youth Media Alliance

Montreal, April 6, 2017 – Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is proud to give its Outstanding Achievement Award to Steven DeNure and its Emerging Talent Award to Mars Horodyski. These distinguished professionals will be honored at a gala to be held on May 31th at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, in Toronto.

Outstanding Achievement Award Presented by Breakthrough Entertainment and CMPA Given for a distinguished career in youth production in Canada, this prestigious prize salutes the individual’s contributions to the industry, leadership skills, ability to innovate and inspire and career-long commitment to young Canadians.

Steven DeNure’s career in film and television has spanned more than three decades, producing many highly acclaimed and award-winning shows and films across multiple genres. He is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of DHX Media, a company he co-founded in 2006. He has been a key member of the core team that has grown DHX Media from its fledgling roots into a global leader in the children’s content and brands space.

Steven’s career began after graduating from Simon Fraser University in 1984, with a degree in Economics and Business. He also completed SFU’s Film Studies Program and, following graduation, worked as an independent filmmaker and photographer before joining Alliance Communications, in 1987. At Alliance, he learned the ropes of the business under company co-founders John Kemeny, Denis Héroux and Robert Lantos, performing a variety of creative and production roles, and eventually rose to the position of President of Alliance Productions. In 1997, Steven left Alliance to co-found DECODE Entertainment, which quickly established itself by combining strong creative abilities with a deep understanding of the worldwide market for children’s content. In 2006, DECODE combined with The Halifax Film Company to form DHX Media.

Over the years, Steven DeNure has developed and produced a long list of projects that have garnered critical acclaim, received numerous awards and nominations, and have captured the hearts of audiences around the world. This list of credits is wide ranging, from dramas and films such as Due South, North of 60, ENG, Counterstrike and Black Robe, to animated series such as Reboot, Transformers Beast Wars, Angela Anaconda, Watership Down, Inspector Gadget, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Furthermore, Steven has been recognized for his notable contributions to the live-action kids’ genre, with such titles as Degrassi, The Zack Files, Radio Free Roscoe, Make It Pop and Hank Zipzer, and to content for younger children, with Yo Gabba Gabba, Rainbow Fish, Super Why, Wishenpoof, The Doozers, The Save- Ums!, the 2015 relaunch of Teletubbies and more.

Steven serves as Vice Chairman of the Canadian Film Centre and is a past board member of numerous organizations, including Street Kids International, Banff Media Festival and Youth Media Alliance. He is most proud of his role in helping to build internationally successful Canadian companies.

Emerging Talent Award Presented by Studio and Sinking Ship Entertainment This award is given to a promising professional whose achievements have made him or her a rising star in children’s programming. This award encourages young creators and broadcast professionals to outdo themselves and, more importantly, to pursue a career in youth production.

Mars Horodyski is an award-winning director with over a decade of directing experience. Her first feature film Ben’s at Home (which she directed, co-wrote and produced) has played over a dozen festivals and won several awards (Best Feature Rhodes Island Film Festival, Best Feature Canadian Film Fest, Best Feature & Audience Choice Rincon Film Festival, Audience Choice Gasparilla Film Festival).

The film was released theatrically in Canada and had a recent digital release in the US. It also garnered Mars the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Directing in a Feature Film.

Mars' series credits include the BBC/DHX series The Next Step, the PBS series Odd Squad, the Amazon series Dino Dana, the web series Carmilla and CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes. She is an alumnus of the CFC directing program and the recipient of the Norman Jewison Director Award.

Tickets can be purchased on the YMA website here: intranet.ymamj.org/awards-of-excellence/gala- tickets. A special rate is offered to YMA members. This grand celebration of youth TV and digital content includes a cocktail, gala and reception.

The 2017 Awards of Excellence are made possible through the participation of our valued sponsors: Principal – CBC; Gold: Shaw Rocket Fund; Prestige – 9 Story Media Group, Canada Media Fund, Independent Production Fund, DHX Media; Excellence – Excellence – Bell Fund, Big Jump Entertainment, Breakthrough Entertainment, Entertainment One, Eye on Canada, Fresh TV, Frima Studio, Guru Studio, Sinking Ship Entertainment and TVO.

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Contact: Lyne Côté Youth Media Alliance E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: 514-597-6809