Awards of Excellence 20 21 MAY 26, 2021 at 7:30 P.M

Home , Atomic Cartoons, Bardel Entertainment, Big Bad Boo, Dorg Van Dango, Fresh TV, Global Mechanic

Awards of Excellence 20 21 MAY 26, 2021 AT 7:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M. 26, 2021 AT MAY LIVE STREAM ON REMO WWW.YMAMJ.ORG PROGRAM

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2021 EXCELLENCE OF AWARDS

PRESTIGE SPONSORS Thanks to our sponsors Thanks

EXCELLENCE SPONSORS

2 May 26, at 7:30 p.m. Live Stream on REMO www.ymamj.org

SPECIAL THANKS

2021 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Sebastian Altmark (For Heroes Only) Lioz Bouganin (Landslide Entertainment) Joan Digba (Sinking Ship) Jadiel Dowlin (Istmo Productions) Ali Eisner Hoda Elatawi (GAPC Entertainment) Athena Georgaklis (Nelvana) Kat Kelly Hayduk (Turtlebox Productions) Maria Kennedy (Little Engine Moving Pictures) Georgina López (Lopii Productions) Marie McCann (CBC Kids) Tom McGillis (Fresh TV) Jessica McLaughlin (TVO) Jillianne Reinseth (Entertainment One) Shabnam Rezaei (Big Bad Boo) Loretta Todd (Coyote Science)

TABLE OF CONTENTS Team 4 Word from Co-Chair 5 Word from Executive Director 6 Word from CBC/Radio-Canada 7 YMA’s Statement of Quality 8 Word from Jury President 9 Members of the Jury 10 Award of Excellence, Best Program, Live Action Categories 28 Outstanding Achievement Award 30 Award of Excellence for Best Gaming or Interactive Experience 32 Award of Excellence for Best Podcast 33 Emerging Talent Award 35 Award of Excellence for Best Program, Short Form 36 Award of Excellence, Best Program, Animation Categories 38 Outstanding Youth Performer Award 40 Thank you and Save the Date 43

3 CO-CHAIRS SECRETARY TREASURER Marysol Michele Paris Jonathan Charbonneau Knowledge Network Finkelstein Télé-Québec Apartment 11 BOARD OF OF BOARD DIRECTORS J.J. Johnson Productions Sinking Ship Entertainment

Sebastian Altmark, Hoda Elatawi Maria Kennedy For Heroes Only GAPC Entertainment Little Engine Moving Pictures Nathalie Chamberland Athena Georgaklis Radio-Canada Nelvana Marie McCann

DIRECTORS CBC Kids Jadiel Dowlin, Sarah Haasz Istmo Productions Pillango Productions Marney Malabar TVO Nadine Dupont Monika Ille Groupe Média TFO APTN Shabnam Rezaei Big Bad Boo

Chantal Bowen Claudia Marcoux Cabana Séguin Executive Director Consultant Brand Design TEAM Laura Newman Patricia Rioux Coordinator, Graphic Design

YMA OFFICE Special Events and and Production Communications

Aidan Cosgrave, Director

Eden Weiss Event Producer GALA TEAM

Youth Media Alliance Media Youth CO-HOST KARA HARUN JADIEL DOWLIN JADIEL

CO-HOST AND SCRIPTWRITER SCRIPTWRITER AND CO-HOST

4 On behalf of the Board hold on to that. There are big of Directors, I want to challenges facing the planet congratulate all the nominees and our audiences today and of the 2021 Youth Media blah it’s our job to explore those, blah blah… to reflect the world we want to see for our viewers. It’s a huge (sometimes Despite challenging times, overwhelming) responsibility your productions continue but it’s why we’re all here. to prove blah blah blah… It’s what gives meaning and purpose to what we do.

Look, I wish I could write a

typical intro to this year’s So huge congrats to the awards. I wish I could pepper recipients of this year’s it with a few jokes, a hopeful nominations. I can guarantee undertone, and a nod to all the you that your content brought resilient and incredible work some lightness and smiles and from this year’s nominees. understanding to kids around But I am, like surely most of the world. Keep at it but also you, worn down and running keep an eye out for your on fumes. colleagues, check in on each other and don’t be shy about asking for help if you need it. This last year has been We’re almost at the finish line, traumatic. Health, financial, let’s all cross it together. social injustices – no one has been untouched or unaffected. Co-Chair Now, if that’s spurred you to First round of drinks at the innovate and evolve, great. If 2023 YMA awards is on me!

Word from Word it caused you to refocus your priorities, well done. If you’ve found or are finding your Until then, activist voice, raise it loudly. If you are simply surviving, congrats, that’s more than enough and we’ll all be waiting for you on the other side of this.

However this pandemic has J.J. JOHNSON affected you, take its lessons to heart. For me, one of the few silver linings of this past year has been the decided drop in pretenses. We’re all a little less guarded, a little more honest with one another. Let’s try to

5 2020-2021 – YEARS OF COVID-19 For over a year now we have for women in the field of all been living under various animation. We are so pleased levels of lockdown. Who could to honour her with this award, have imagined in January 2020 congratulations Michelle! how crucial the availability of quality youth programming would become to children and Let’s not forget our Emerging parents over the course of this Talent winners, Georgina and pandemic? Rennata López, who in 2018 created Lopii Productions, and have been producing One of our members, Stéphanie exceptional work ever since.

Cloutier-Breault, recently drew These two producers truly a wonderful parallel between stand out for their daring when the commitment of health tackling challenging subject professionals – who many of matter in the content they us have been calling ‘guardian create for youth. angels’ - and the creators of the youth media industry. She said that these creators I would like to thank all are like ‘guardian angels’ for of our sponsors for their our children, in their own contributions. You are essential way. I heartily agree with this to the success of our gala! sentiment. Allow me to extend my At the Alliance, we’ve once personal thanks to the CBC and again received a record number SRC who truly take the YMA’s of submissions for the Awards mission to heart, and continue of Excellence - over one to offer their support, despite Word Word from hundred productions. Of that the current crisis. I am truly proud! Congratulations to all Our Outstanding Achievement our Awards of Excellence Award celebrates a prizewinners! distinguished career in youth production in Canada. Have a great Gala! Throughout her career, Michelle Melanson Cuperus has brought incredible value to this industry as a producer, creator CHANTAL BOWEN

Executive Director Executive and mentor. The YMA Board would like to recognize her work in founding Women Drawn Together, an organization that fosters learning and mentorship

6 As we navigate these difficult they are, on the platforms times, it has never been they use. more important to engage young Canadians, spark their imagination and give them hope Congratulations to all 2021 for a brighter future. finalists and winners! I’m confident that together, we will capture the imagination The productions nominated of young audiences across the for this 2021 edition of the country – and around the world. Youth Media Alliance Gala have

been instrumental in doing this. By leading the way in the development of kids, tweens and teens programming, this year’s finalists have been a CATHERINE TAIT testament to the resiliency and President and CEO creativeness of our industry CBC/Radio-Canada over the last year.

Canada is home to a strong and vibrant ecosystem and a fertile ground for the emergence of new, diverse voices in youth programming. As the country’s national public broadcaster, we are committed to uncovering these talented creators,

Word from Word supporting their development and helping them achieve their full potential. We will also pursue our efforts to pair Canada’s gifted storytellers with visionary innovators to reach young audiences where Principal Sponsor

7 The Youth Media Alliance experience emotions that statement of quality, created further their development; by the former Alliance for — respects young people’s Children and Television, intelligence, critical capacity provided the foundation and ability to think by for the Children’s Television avoiding oversimplification, Charter, which governments stereotypes and propaganda; and broadcasters around the world are now ratifying. — considers their development needs, age group and A quality screen-based cultural background, relying production offers excellence on relevant studies to do so. in form and content, meets its target audience’s needs and expectations, and complies TO PROVIDE A WINDOW with recognized production ON THE WORLD, A SCREEN- standards. BASED PRODUCTION FOR YOUTH: The content of productions — accurately portrays reality should be relevant and while stimulating the entertaining, stimulate the imagination—the real and intellect and the imagination, the imaginary are the two and foster openness to others. worlds in which children It should accurately reflect the grow up; world in which young people — allows children to explore grow up, while respecting their the world beyond their dignity and promoting learning. immediate experience— their family, friends, school, As a Canadian agency, the street, city, society, world, Alliance strives to promote and universe. Canadian content in screen- based productions for youth. Although young Canadians CHILDREN AND TEENS should definitely be exposed ARE ENTITLED TO SCREEN- to international programs BASED PRODUCTIONS exploring our vast world, THAT: they should also have access — have access to the same to quality productions that technical and financial present the rich diversity of resources as productions Canada, its provinces, regions, intended for mainstream communities and people, as audiences, in accordance well as its culture, heritage, with recognized standards; and institutions. YMA’s statement of quality YMA’s — are aimed at the least well- represented groups, while A QUALITY SCREEN-BASED serving the interests of PRODUCTION FOR YOUTH: various age groups. — is designed and produced to meet the needs and expectations of the children and teens that it targets, approaching reality from their perspective; — allows young people to be active participants and even protagonists rather than passive spectators, playing an active and interactive role. — consciously stimulates the intellect, curiosity and creativity of children and teens, letting them 8 She created, produced, wrote, I applaud the Youth Media and directed children’s series "Alliance for their leadership (Tansi! Nehiyawetan 1-3, Coyote’s in promoting and celebrating Crazy Smart Science 1-3), the best in children and sci-fi (Skye and Chang) and youth screen-based media. interactive media (Fierce Girls). Encouraging media that makes the lives of children and youth better is important to making She created the Aboriginal healthier communities. Media Lab with the Chief I am honoured, alongside Dan George Centre and my fellow jury members, to Simon Fraser University and was be part of this year’s Awards instrumental in the formation of Excellence celebrating of the Aboriginal Arts Centre the amazing work produced at the Banff Centre. by Canadian media makers and storytellers who work tirelessly to inspire children Her films have screened at and youth through the Sundance Festival, exceptional media. Toronto International Film " Festival (TIFF), American Indian Film Festival LORETTA SARAH TODD (San Francisco), Yamagata President of the Jury, Film Festival, ImagineNative, Director, Producer, and the Museum of Modern Writer and Showrunner Art, to name just a few. She has received many prestigious honours and awards, including a Rockefeller Fellowship LORETTA SARAH TODD to New York University, is a visionary leader in attendance to the Sundance Indigenous media, considered a Scriptwriter’s Lab, Special true artist with entrepreneurial Jury Citation (TIFF), Mayor’s energy and deep cultural Award for Media Arts (City knowledge. Her first dramatic of Vancouver) and the recent feature, Monkey Beach, based Women of Excellence Award, on the iconic novel by Eden from the United Nation’s WEF Robinson, recently launched Women’s Economic Forum.

Word from Word to strong audience and critical Ms. Todd is Cree/Metis. response, screening at TIFF (Industry Selects), and opening the Vancouver International Film Festival. With international awards adding up (Best Film/Best Director - 49th American Indian Film Festival & Red Nation Film Festival, Venice Film Awards, 7th Art International Film Festival), Monkey Beach was the #1 Canadian film for 4 weeks at Cineplex and Landmark Theatres. President of the Jury Ms. Todd has directed over 100 projects including award- winning documentaries (Forgotten Warriors, Hands of History, People Go On), digital media and games (My Cree App, Coyote Quest), animation (25 animated shorts), and TV.

9 CAITLIN AHERNE is a recipient of the YMA Andra Sheffer Scholarship. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Film Studies at the University of Alberta. She has received numerous scholarships and awards in French and English for her achievements in film studies, education, music, video editing, and dance. She is combining her passion for film studies and her children’s education background by immersing herself in the field of children’s media production and finding innovative ways to use film as a teaching resource in Members classrooms. Caitlin is currently developing various projects that will of the jury serve to educate, entertain, and empower children across Canada.

DAVOUD ASHRAFI is the CEO of Azar Animation Studio, an independent animation studio, based in Vancouver, developing and producing original animated content for kids. Prior to founding Azar Animation, Davoud was a technical animator at Disney (ILM) and Sony Pictures Entertainment. He has worked in some of the world’s best animated movies like Oscar winner Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse, Over the Moon and Space Jam 2.

JUKA ALMEIDA is a writer, illustrator, sculptor, and capoeirista. He was born in the city of Sao Paulo and lived in Brazil for the better part of his life. He navigates through different art forms trying to reflect the realities of underappreciated communities in Brazil, including Afro- Brazilians, as well as the peoples of the Hinterlands and Brazilian Bush. The stories and characters that he creates often echo the cultures of these marginalized groups. Juka is a graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art and Design Program at OCAD University.

10 MALINDI AYIENGA is a Dora Award-winning Toronto-based artist, activist and co-founder of Diva Day International. Diva Day empowers young menstruators by eliminating barriers to education. Since its inception in 2017, Diva Day has provided over a thousand young menstruators in Kenya with DivaCups and menstrual health education. (divaday.ca) Malindi has an Honours Bachelor degree in Musical Theatre Performance and a passion for people. Malindi has been combining her love of theatre and her love for children by performing at Young People’s Theatre (You & I, One Things Leads to Another, Adventures of Pinocchio).

CAMILLE BEAUDOIN Since 2006, Camille has helmed the production of world-class scripted screen content comprising of mobile games, countless hours of digital, three feature films - including award-winning teen feature #Roxy, and over 100 TV episodes - including five seasons of CAUTION: May Contain Nuts (APTN). In 2018 Camille founded Girls in Film & Television (GIFT), a not-for-profit dedicated to addressing the issue of gender representation on screen and behind camera by training and inspiring teen girls through hands- on learning and support. Camille is Cree, Haudenosaunee, Métis, French Canadian and alumnus of the National Screen Institute and Banff Centre for the Arts.

RAQUEL BENITEZ is an award- winning media and TV executive with extensive experience in children’s and family entertainment. She is a producer, executive producer, director and creator of well-known international TV shows and feature films. Bachelor, Master, & PhD Candidate in Cinematography, Broadcasting and Communication at UCM, Master’s in English & Broadcasting at USF, MBA at UB, Certificate in Entertainment Law by Osgoode Law Hall at York University. Raquel currently works as producer/executive producer for Comet Entertainment Inc. She has written software programs and books that are now considered to be the industry standard, and has received accolades for many of her creations.

11 BELL FUND IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CANADIAN CREATORS. LIOZ BOUGANIN is an award-winning screen-based content producer and writer with over fifteen years of experience in the industry. Lioz’s programs have aired on networks including CBC, Rogers, YES TV, History, Discovery and APTN. He is the producer and co-writer of the children animated series, Louis Says 1-3. The series airs on APTN, YES TV and Citytv and a new season is currently in production. Lioz continues to develop film and TV projects through his Regina-based company, Landslide Entertainment, including two animated series co-productions with Brazil and Scotland. He is the board president of SMPIA and a NSI graduate.

MARY BREDIN has a passion for story and a spirit of curiosity. She develops feature films, short form and long form content for the global market. She runs her own company, Green Tiger Club and works with TeamTO. Emmy-nominated for her work on the series Justin Time, she has also developed series such as Presto (M6), True and the Rainbow Kingdom (Netflix) and Dinopaws (BBC/ Treehouse) and was an executive producer on the Oscar nominated animated feature The Breadwinner. She has been involved in all aspects of running a studio and received the WIFT Toronto award for outstanding contribution to the business of television. She is also a parent and has a 16-year-old son, Rory.

BECKI BRISSON is the Shaw Rocket Fund’s Manager, Business Affairs and has been with the fund since 2012. Prior to joining the Shaw Rocket Fund, Becki worked on the production side of things as an associate producer and business affairs manager for various television and film production companies. Becki’s extensive knowledge of the children’s media industry comes in handy when navigating children’s content and platforms for her demanding (but sweet) children.

BETH CARMONA is an executive producer of children’s media in Brazil and Latin America with more than 30 years of experience working in public and private television. She leads her own company and is the director of the Comkids platform and festival. She is president of Midiativa (Brazilian Center on Media for Children), and member of the board of Prix Jeunesse International World Summit on Media for Children.

13 EVERY STORY STARTS WITH A SPARK.

We’re here to foster Canadian voices. Our narratives. Our ideas. We’re here to spark courage. Congratulations to the storytellers nominated to the Awards of Excellence.

cmf-fmc.ca

FILENAME 2020-04-4920-CMF-Youth Media Alliance Awards print ad-7x11.indd INTERNAL REVISION 1 CMYK CLIENT -- TRIM 7" x 11" CLIENT REVISION 3 CREATION DATE 01/11/21 BLEED 7.5" x 11.5" OPERATOR RP

REVISION DATE April 22, 2021 11:40 AM FOLD -.--" x -.--" T: 604.417.7865

OUTPUT DATE 04/22/21 LIVE 6" x 10" E: [email protected] TRAP AT FINAL OUTPUT SAFE 6” x 10” APPROVALS SEEN APPROVED RESOLUTION 300dpi CREATIVE/DESIGNER JH FONTS -- COPYWRITER --

NOTES CREATIVE DIRECTOR JH ACCOUNT NW

IT'S EVERYONE'S HAVE YOU PROOFED AGAINST THE COPYDECK? IS THE TAG INFORMATION CORRECT? HAVE CREATIVE AND ACCOUNTS SIGNED OFF ON IT? HAS SPELLING AND SPACING BEEN CHECKED? IS IT THE CORRECT VERSION? REALLY?

JOB TO PROOF. ARE BRAND STANDARDS BEING FOLLOWED? DOES THE FILE HAVE THE CORRECT BLEEDS? YES REALLY. - RIGHT LOGO - RIGHT COLOURS DO YOUR PART! - RIGHT FONTS ARE THE IMAGES THE RIGHT RESOLUTION? SARAH CHATELAIN joined Écho Média in 2016 after several years as a marketing director for TVA publications. Drawn to the challenge of financing strategies, filled with the desire to apply her talents, and motivated by the goal of content outreach, she quickly made her mark as a producer with projects On parle de sexe (season 1 & 2, Télé-Quebec: close to 15 million views online, eight Gémaux nominations, 3 Oliviers nominations, Youth Media Alliance Award of Excellence), About Sex (CBC, Kidscreen Award winner) and Je ne suis pas un robot (Thriller, Télé-Quebec).

JEFF COOKE is a Senior Marketing Manager, Partnerships at WildBrain, overseeing all marketing activities for a vast library of kids and family content. Working with clients in the broadcast and VOD spaces, he ensures that all WildBrain series, whether original IP or third-party distribution properties, are marketed effectively and discoverable by young audiences on a global scale. On the B2B side, he manages the trade presence at all international markets as well as corporate branding initiatives across the company.

JEAN-LOUIS COTÉ is producer/director who has worked on hundreds of television shows, mostly for children but current affairs and documentaries as well. He has a strong interest in educational children’s programming. He studied in Education before majoring in Communication studies with the intent of producing shows for kids. Jean-Louis has been nominated for 15 Gémeaux/Gemini/ Screen Award awards. He won a Gémeaux for best director of a children’s non-fiction program as well as a Canadian Screen award for Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series. In 2004, he was awarded ‘The Outstanding Achievement Award’ by the Youth Media Alliance.

JENNIFER COUËLLE writes for children and youth, exploring and engaging their emotions in realms where the ordinary is magnified by the imagination. Her credits include more than 30 picture books, short stories and collections of poems – including several finalists for Canadian and French literary awards – published by Dominique et compagnie, Planète rebelle, Isatis and La Bagnole (Quebec), Pajama Press (Ontario), Pour penser à l’endroit and Riveneuve Éditions (France). Jennifer is also a translator, specializing in children’s books and texts for museums and art galleries. An art historian by training, she previously worked as an art critic, exhibition curator and cultural journalist.

JEAN DE VIVIE has 20 years of international experience in production and content distribution: children programs, licensing rights and branding. He started his career as a producer in advertising and corporate film production companies. He founded Image-in, a production company specialized in children programs, first in Paris, then in Montreal. Previously as managing director at Ostra Delta, a Spanish tv branding agency, he supervised the broadcast design of TV channels such as France 2, HBO, Warner TV, Canal+, TVE and Antena 3. Prior to this, he acted as Licensing Manager at Sony Pictures.

KIM DENT WILDER brings exceptional experience, leadership, and passion to her role as Executive Vice President at Mainframe Studios. As a proven strategic business leader, Kim has played an integral role in Mainframe’s expansion and diversification. From overseeing and managing its growing film and television operations to identifying and developing new business opportunities, Kim is the synergistic ‘glue’ at Mainframe. She nurtures the company’s creative artistry while also ensuring efficiencies across all creative and technological processes. She provides not just leadership and mentorship, but also the vision to expand the company across Canada.

17 KIM DERKO c.s.c. worked as a cinematographer on music videos and as a camera operator before establishing herself as a director of photography on features and series. Her credits include Director of Photography for 5 Seasons of The Next Step for Family Channel, Season 1 of Lost & Found Music Studios for Disney/Family Channel, Winging It Season 2, Star Falls for Nickelodeon, Season 2 of Save Me for CBC Gem, Always and Forever Christmas for Lifetime, the series In Contempt for B.E.T. / Viacom. Kim Derko also directed several episodes of THE NEXT STEP. Members of the jury

NATALIE DUMOULIN An award winning Children’s media executive with an outstanding 25-year career in development, production and programming in both live action and animation. Natalie has a prestigious track record of being a leading executive in the development and production of high quality children’s properties, possessing a deep knowledge base in intellectual property development, multi-platform initiatives, production and strategic planning. Her credits include Arthur, Xavier Riddle, Caillou, Gerald McBoing-boing, The Little Lulu Show, Animal Crackers, Mona The Vampire and Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

KYLIE ELLIS (she/her) is an animation Producer and Production Executive who thrives in an environment which embraces her passion and authenticity. Her career pans over 25 years, the last six focused on developing properties while producing content. During her career Kylie has worked in a range of production roles on all sorts of animated projects including Invincible with Skybound Entertainment, Ed, Edd n’ Eddy for Cartoon Network, Bob the Builder for HiT Entertainment, as well as a few feature films including Escape from Planet Earth. Her passion is collaborating with artistic, technical and production talent to provide a creative collaborative environment in which teams can thrive. Kylie also chairs the board for Women in Animation, Vancouver Chapter, which is dedicated to advancing women in the field of animation. Kylie is currently in pre-production on a new animated series.

18 DANIEL FERNANDES is an Afro-Filipino Producer for YTV’s Zone Weekend and Big Fun Movies, where he directs, writes, and produces interstitial segments. Previously he was a host and digital media producer for TVOkid’s The Space and That TVOkids Show, gaining over six years in the kids tv industry. He has created two series that he is currently developing with Big Bad Boo and IGP Productions. Daniel is a graduate of the BIPOC Kid’s TV Writing Bootcamp, Commercial Directing program and a participant of the Banff Playwright Lab.

LOUIS FOURNIER is an independent media consultant specializing in creative development, production financing, international distribution and co-production. A well-known and respected industry executive with over 30 years experience in the screen-based entertainment industry, he has spearheaded the international distribution of many award-winning children’s series like Arthur, Caillou, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That. His flair for quality content has led to pivotal executive posts in international distribution, business development and production.

PADDY GILLEN has over 20 years experience in production management. She has successfully delivered over 250 hours of award-winning content in film, television, animation, commercials, games, and websites including the hit series, Crash of the Titans, Transformers, 1001 Nights and Lili & Lola. Previously, Paddy managed the production departments for several animation studios, including The Embassy Visual Effects, Atomic Cartoons, Peace Arch Entertainment and Circle Productions. Her credits include Speed Shift 2, Class of the Titans, Atomic Betty, Captain Flamingo, 1001 Nights, Lili & Lola, and 16 Hudson.

CHRYSTINE GIRARD holds the position of Head of International Distribution of Encore International, part of Encore, an integrated entertainment group, one of the most prolific production companies in scripted series, live comedy specials, theater plays and artist management. At Encore International, she handles distribution of Encore’s full content library for international licensing and format adaptations, (youth series “Léa Olivier”, “Les Beaux Malaises”, “For Sarah”) as well as third-party documentaries and factual series. With 20 years+ of experience in the international TV and media business industry, Chrystine is specialized in identifying, acquiring and exploiting content rights for all media platforms, worldwide.

19 TANYA GREEN Two-time Emmy Award winning producer, Tanya Green, has been working in the animated arena for over 15 years. Tanya fell in love with animation while working on the series Atomic Betty at Breakthrough Films. She eventually moved to head up production at 9 Story Media Group Inc. where she rose to VP. As VP Production at Brown Bag Films (a 9 Story Company), she produced hundreds of hours of animated television including both the Emmy Award winning preschool series Peg + Cat and Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood for PBS, as Members well as rebooting such legacy properties as The Magic School Bus Rides of the jury Again for Netflix. Currently the head of preschool for Mainframe Studios, she develops and produces content for the young and young at heart audiences.

CHRIS HARRIS 4 Time Emmy Nominee, CEO and Creative Director of Super Sonics Post Production. Chris and his studio are post production and sound design veterans of the kids entertainment industry. His work on countless projects from Canada, the US and Europe help entertain children around the world.

MARC HARTLEN is part of the development team at Nelvana. Before joining Nelvana he spent 10 years in the performing arts, appearing at Yuk Yuks comedy clubs across Canada, festivals including Pop Montreal and the Atlantic Fringe Festival as well as being heard on The Edge 102.1 and Sirius XM’s Laugh Attack. He is an alumni of Centennial College’s Children’s Media post-graduate program.

CAM HAYDUK has spent his entire adult life in film and tv production as a camera person, voice actor, producer, and director. He is a founding partner of Turtlebox Productions, which creates fun and educational media that makes kids pee themselves with delight. With Cam as director/producer, Turtlebox has cranked out a boatload of music videos and live-action interstitials for Kids’ CBC, Knowledge, Peacock Jr, DISH, Kidoodle, BBC Kids, PBS Kids, and Sesame Workshop. 20 VANESSA JACOBSEN founded and owned It’s All Fun & Games toy store in Vancouver for many years before moving to the CG Industry, starting with a position with the Vanguard/Starz production of Space Chimps. She later became head of the 3D Animation & Visual Effects programs at Vancouver Film School. As a member of the Visual Effects Society and on the board of WIA (Women in Animation) Vanessa continues to push for diversity and inclusion in the industry. Vanessa’s current role as Manager, Studio Operations at Stellar Creative Lab animation studio takes advantage of her varied skills to support the growth and development of the Studio as they continue to take on a variety of high level projects.

MAIA JAE is a Toronto-born Ecuadorian/ Canadian actress. At three-years-old she starred in Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2, alongside Jon Voight. Her recent credits include CBS’s Ransom and CW’s In The Dark. In 2016, her short-film Thumbs screened at TIFF’s NextWave Showcase. In 2017, she started MK Productions with her twin-sister and spearheaded an ACTRA + TIFF Networking Gala. Despite the pandemic, Maia graduated from the renowned RTA Media Program at Ryerson University with Dean List accolades and minors in TV & Video and Spanish. She now focuses on acting, writing and producing professional and painfully entertaining content. She believes her three-year-old-self would be proud.

KIMBERLY KAVANAGH is an accomplished industry veteran with many game titles and software patents to her credit. A parent, a musician, and someone willing to take leaps of faith, she is overjoyed that all of her experience has led to making children’s entertainment. She can think of no higher a calling.

DAVID KLEEMAN Strategist, analyst, author, speaker, connector — David Kleeman has led the children’s media industry in developing sustainable, child-friendly practices for 35 years. He began this work as president of the American Center for Children and Media and is now SVP of global trends for Dubit, a strategy/research consultancy and digital studio. David is advisory board chair to the international children’s TV festival PRIX JEUNESSE and serves/served on several other media and media literacy boards. David looks worldwide for best practices in children’s entertainment and learning. He’s spoken (and listened!) on six continents and writes extensively for varied audiences.

TRACY LEGAULT combines a wealth of expertise, with a wide and varied experience in visual arts, media production, and arts management. She founded Carte Blanche Films in 2008 originally focusing on French language dramatic television series. Having achieved multiple season runs Carte Blanche Films expanded its vision to offer a wider range of cross-platform content including educational documentary-based web series, a large number of digital media cross-platform projects, as well as live-action shows for school-age children, family, and general audiences. Her work has garnered several notable awards and nominations in collaboration with her broadcast partners: Le Groupe Média TFO, Idéllo, TV5-unis, TVO and Radio-Canada.

BRENDA NIETUPSKI has an extensive broadcast history at Corus entertainment where she was director of programming for Canada’s Treehouse TV, and Discovery Kids. She has been producing and developing kids content at Epic Story Media since 2019, and spent many years as president of Little Tugboat Productions. Brenda worked as animation producer and production executive on The Adventures of Napkin Man, seasons I, II & III for CBC, Series Producer on Look Kool, a school age series about spatial intelligence and geometry and fun that was nominated for a Daytime Emmy 2017. Brenda is a graduate of the University of Toronto in Cinema Studies and English. She has also studied Motion Picture Production at Ryerson University,

23 TINA OUELLETTE As Executive Producer/Co-Owner of Global Mechanic Tina is an inspired and adaptive leader, highly skilled at identifying projects with potential, selecting and maintaining strong international working teams, and balancing technical, practical and political needs. Her series experience includes five seasons of the Emmy- winning Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman and the Emmy-nominated Plum Landing, for PBS Kids. Most recently, Tina executive produced PBS Kids’ first hybrid Members narrative / interactive property Scribbles & Ink, which recently won a of the jury Kidscreen Award for Best Alternative Game.

AMANDA PARKER is a writer, production coordinator and segment producer who most recently worked on the YMA Award Winning and Daytime Emmy nominated live action preschool series Miss Persona. She graduated from the Centennial Children’s Media program in 2019 and is immensely proud to have worked with established professionals and emerging talent in the industry so far. She is currently working with boutique production company Balloon House Productions Inc. on an upcoming web series.

ANNE-MARIE PERROTTA is a Montreal-based screenwriter, executive story editor, and creator who has had over 600 scripts produced for television, including award-winning series, Arthur, Ranger Rob, Max & Ruby, ToonMarty and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Anne-Marie was also an Executive Story Editor and writer on 51 episodes of the live-action series Big Top Academy (Discovery Kids Latin America/TVO/Cirque du Soleil Images/Hulu). She has also developed many animation and live-action series for producers and broadcasters around the world. She is the Quebec Councillor for the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) as well as a founding member of Femmes Animées Montréal (FAM!). In 2013, Anne-Marie won the WGC’s highest honour, the Writers Block Award, for service to Canadian screenwriters.

24 NIOVI PHINOPOULOU is a 3D Artist originally from the island Cyprus, she moved to the UK where she completed her studies in Illustration and later obtained her Master’s degree at Bournemouth University. She worked at studios in London, UK, Germany and currently based in Vancouver. She has worked on a number of projects including Jungle Book, Row (TV series) and Ghost of Tsushima (cinematic trailer). When not working on 3D projects, she focuses on photography and painting.

LISA PURDY is an experienced media executive and leader who has worked in creative development, funding, production, broadcast, digital product development, business development, brand, marketing and content distribution. She has played a leadership role in her 30 years in media in Canada. Lisa is an expert in broadcast programming and distribution, having led two kids television channels and brands in Canada: Knowledge Kids & BBC Kids. In 2017 Lisa founded Notio Media to curate digital content and provide strategic consulting for media partners, working on a range of research projects.

JILLIANNE REINSETH As SVP of Creative Affairs for eOne, Jillianne is responsible for overseeing the creative elements of all projects in development for the Family Brands preschool and fashion portfolio. Since joining the company in 2015, she has developed Cupcake & Dino: General Services, Ricky Zoom, Alien TV, Kiya and is currently working on the reboot of My Little Pony. Jillianne’s career spans children’s animation and live action, primetime comedy and drama for companies including Disney, Nickelodeon, DHX, ABC, and CBS with credits for series such as Make Way for Noddy, Kim Possible, Lilo & Stitch, The Fairly OddParents, Hannah Montana, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and My So-Called Life.

MELANIE SCHAFFER is currently holding a position as an animation producer for Redefine studio. She has more than 10 years of experience working in 3D and 2D animation and has worked on projects such as Ballerina & and the first TV series using Unreal, Zafari. She started her career as a production assistant and quickly became a producer for important studios in Montreal. Melanie has developed a passion for animation while watching her Sunday morning cartoons when she was young. Due to her lack of drawing skills, she decided to work on the production part due to her exceptional sense of organization.

25 AMANDA SMITH has written and produced content for Netflix, Amazon, Nickelodeon, Treehouse, and CBC. A versatile writer, Amanda has multiple projects in development in both animation and live action. Some of her writing credits include the critically acclaimed sci-fi series Travelers, as well as Dot, Max and Ruby, and Corn and Peg, on which she was the Story Editor for season two. A former roller derby player and coach, Amanda is also a certified Tea Sommelier - so not only can she deliver you a great script, she can make you the perfect cup of tea to go with it! Members of the jury

PAUL STOICA With 15 years of writing experience, Paul Stoica has done it all: animation, live action fiction, sketch comedy, pranks, gameshows, web stuff and even self-promoting bios. His writing motivations include artistic expression, intellectual fulfillment, self- actualization, as well as power, money and the irrepressible need to feel superior to others. Notable credits include: co-creator of the upcoming global mega hit Dex and the Humanimals (tou.tv), co-creator of ToonMarty (Teletoon), story editor of Chop Chop Ninja (Teletoon) as well as writing credits on Mighty Mike, Trully Tales and Super Wings amongst many others.

ROSE-ANN TISSERAND is co-founder of Flying Kraken Creative Studios, a boutique studio that creates original animation content and specializes in award-winning animation design services. She has worked as a production executive for 20 years. She was supervising producer at Bardel Entertainment and is currently a Consulting Producer with the NFB and Executive Producer/Co-Creator of a series in pre-development with Silvergate Media. She also sits on the Spark Animation Leadership Board and the Executive Board of Women in Animation Vancouver. Rose-Ann is founder and Executive Producer of WIA Vancouver’s Animation Career EXCELerator (ACE) Program.

26 AJ TRAUTH joins marblemedia with twenty years of experience in the entertainment industry as both on-screen talent and an off- screen creative. Prior to marblemedia, AJ served as an independent producer developing and growing a slate of scripted series in the kids and family space with a diverse cadre of creatives. As VP of Kids TV Development, AJ continues to push boundaries by developing original stories based on strong IP for global audiences.

MARTIN VIAU is Lead of Technologies in the interactive studio at the NFB in Montreal. He manipulates and analyzes new programming languages and hardware to stay abreast of developing technologies. His role is to work with creators and producers to imagine innovative ways to use technologies to the benefit of the user experience and of the whole creative process for the studio’s projects. With his fellow Technical Directors at the NFB, he is engaged in networks of technological partners from the cutting edge of innovation in tech and creation. He’s also responsible for all aspects of hosting and broadcasting all the interactive work produced by the studio.

CAROLINE VOITOVICI is the production manager and a production executive for TVOkids. She has played a key role in the growth and success of the TVOkids brand in both a creative and business capacity. Caroline graduated from the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson University. One of her first jobs was the production coordinator for the iconic, Polka Dot Door. Her spark for children’s television was ignited. As production executive for several award-winning programs, Caroline has a passion for creating children’s content that sparks the imagination in the kid in all of us. To this day Caroline is still inspired by Cookie Monster. Atop her bucket list is still to meet the furry monster in person.

27 Best Program

LIVE ACTION CATEGORIES Juries of production professionals grant these awards to children’s and youth programs that stand out for their excellence.

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Ages 6-9)

Nominees

My Stay-at-Home Diary Backyard Beats How Do You Feel? (Benjamin, Kaelin, Hanna & (Indigenous Hand Drum) (Racism) Produced by Marisol and Ben’s Stay at Produced by BGM Inc.; Riverbank Pictures; home Diaries) aired on TVOkids aired on TVOkids Produced by Lopii Productions; aired on TVOkids and PBS.org

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Ages 9+)

Nominees

All-Round Champion My Home, My Life! It’s My Party! (Ice Climbing) (Jasmina - My Signing (Pride) Produced by marblemedia; Family) Produced by BGM Inc.; aired on BYUtv, TVOkids Produced by Lopii aired on TVOkids and Knowledge Kids Productions; aired on TVOkids

28 SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Preschool 3-5)

Nominees

Anaana’s Tent (Colours) Dino Dana Dino Dana The Movie – Produced by Taqqut (Sounds of Dinosaurs) Feature film Productions; aired on Produced by Sinking Ship Produced by Sinking Ship APTN Entertainment; aired on Entertainment; available TVOkids and Amazon on the TVOkids YouTube Prime Channel

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Ages 6-9)

Nominees

Detention Adventure Big Top Academy Ghostwriter Endlings (History Repeating) (Circus In My Soul) (Ghost in Wonderland, (The End is the Produced by LoCo Motion Produced by Apartment 11 Part 1) Beginning, Part 2) Pictures and Broken Productions in association Produced by Sinking Ship Produced by Sinking Ship Compass Films; streamed with TVOkids and Discovery Entertainment; streamed Entertainment; aired on on CBC Gem Kids Latin America, in on Apple TV+ CBC and Hulu collaboration with Cirque du Soleil Images; aired on TVOkids and Discovery Kids Latin America

SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Ages 9+)

Nominees

Holly Hobbie About Sex Malory Towers (Episode 203 – The Salty (Sexual Orientation) (The Last Day) – WildBrain Songstress) Produced Produced by Echo Media; and King Bert Productions; by Aircraft Pictures in streamed on CBC Gem aired on Family Channel association with Cloudco Entertainment and Wexworks Media; aired on Family Channel

29 Outstanding Achievement Award Achievement

30 SPONSORED BY

Given for a distinguished career Michelle has won the Canadian in youth production in Canada, Screen award, multiple this prestigious prize salutes Kidscreen Awards and Cynopsis the individual’s contributions to Awards. She also has a Juno the industry, leadership skills, Award for producing the Stella ability to innovate and inspire, and Sam Album. and a career-long commitment

to young Canadians. Michelle is the Founder of Women Drawn Together - Michelle Melanson Cuperus has 30 years experience in a free organization that fosters the production business with learning, networking, and hundreds of episodes produced mentorship for Women in the and over 50 awards and animation community. Over nominations, including both the past 7 years, the group has Emmy and BAFTA nominations. grown to over 1800 members Her first credit was on the spanning 5 cities. In 2019, PBS series Shining Time Station Michelle was inducted into the starring George Carlin. From Ryerson Radio and Television there she worked on many Wall of Fame. children’s shows in the 1990’s including Groundling Marsh, She launched her own company Real Kids Real Adventures, Headspinner Productions with Zoboomafoo and The Adventures Showrunner and Husband of Dudley the Dragon. Ken Cuperus in 2018. Their first production, the animated Since then, Michelle has series Denis and Me, launched CUPERUS CUPERUS MICHELLE MELANSON MICHELLE worked with Nelvana, CBC, on CRAVE and YouTube in late Cookie Jar Entertainment, 2020 and has already racked and Radical Sheep Productions, up over 18 million views. developing, producing and Season Two of Denis and Me executive producing a wide is currently in production with variety of children’s television alongside new series Happy including familiar titles such as House of Frightenstein, which Rescue Heroes, Cyberchase, will launch in Fall of 2021. The Berenstain Bears, George Shrinks, The Next Step, and the award-winning Stella and Sam.

Award of Award Excellence

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR BEST GAMING OR INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES

Awarded by our juries of industry professionals, this prize goes to the best digital production intended for interactive platforms. The production will have demonstrated the ability to create an environment and experience specific to its target audience and platform. The chosen production provides an enriched, intelligent environment fostering user engagement and active participation.

Award of Excellence for Best Gaming or Interactive Experiences

Nominees

Xavier Riddle and the CBC Kids News Louis Says III Interactive Secret Museum - Story Produced by CBC Appisode Creator Kids; available on www. Produced by Landslide Produced by 9 Story cbckidsnews.ca Entertainment and MBC; Media Group Inc., Brown available on iTunes Bag Films and Relish Interactive; available on pbskids.org

32 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR BEST PODCAST Juries of youth production professionals grant this new award to a children’s or youth podcast that stands out for its excellence, fiction or non-fiction. This new award category combines content created for all age-groups (0-17 years old).

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Podcast

Nominees

The Story Store The Story Store Odd Squadcast (The Chicken Who (Bee the Tea) (Big O Hero) Meowed) Produced by CBC Kids Produced by Sinking Ship Produced by CBC Kids Entertainment

33 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES AND WINNERS OF THE YMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

@shawrocketfund 34 SPONSORED BY

GEORGINA AND AND GEORGINA LÓPEZ RENNATA

This award is given to a RENNATA LÓPEZ is a promising professional whose producer, writer, casting achievements have made director and director for her a rising star in children’s television with an emphasis programming. This award on lifestyle/factual and encourages young creators childrens’ programming. and broadcast professionals to Prior to founding Lopii outdo themselves and, more Productions in 2018, Rennata importantly, to pursue a career worked as a freelance producer in youth production. on many great children’s series including the award-winning Identical twin sisters and Giver, It’s My Party, and What’s award-winning TV Producers Inside. She was nominated twice GEORGINA and RENNATA for a Canadian Screen Award in LÓPEZ founded Lopii 2015 & 2016 and a Youth Media Productions Inc. in July 2018. Alliance Award in 2019. After both working in the biz respectively as freelance producers, Georgina and Rennata decided to join forces Before co-founding Lopii to create and produce their Productions in 2018, own high-quality, inclusive and GEORGINA LÓPEZ worked as diverse children’s programs a freelance Producer and or/ where every child can see Production Manager, managing themselves on TV. all types of television programs including lifestyle, scripted and animation, but passion has always been working in kids Lopii Productions has already television. She won the 2016 produced the series My Home, Canadian Screen Award and My Life! and the Kidscreen received three Daytime Emmy Award-winning My Stay-at- nominations. Home Diary, as well as 2 shorts for season 50 and 51 Emerging Talent Award Emerging Talent of Sesame Street. Several exciting projects are in development, and Georgina and Rennata are currently gearing up for production on live action/preschool series The Fay and Fluffy Show, and completing the second season of My Home, My Life.

Award of Award Excellence

BEST PROGRAM, SHORT FORM CATEGORIES Awarded by our juries of industry professionals, these 3 new prizes go to the best short form content webseries, linear videos, interstitials or any narrative of less than 5 minutes in length intended for transmission on a linear television network or digital streaming platform for each age group (Preschool 3-5, Ages 6-9 and Ages 9+). The content can be animated, live-action or hybrid. The chosen production stands out for its excellence – more specifically the quality of its pace and editing, its ability to reach its target audience, and a script or content well adapted to the intended platform and audience.

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Short Form Content (Preschool 3-5)

Nominees

ABC Singsong 6 Seis Cumbia The Gumboot Kids STUDIO K (Letter A, Letter B, Letter for Sesame Street (A Valentine’s Day Poem) (Staying Home Staying C, Letter D, Letter E, Letter Produced by Lopii Produced by Imagine Healthy) F, Letter G, Letter H, Letter Productions; aired on Create Media; Produced by CBC Kids; I, Letter J, Letter K) Treehouse TV, PBS Kids aired on CBC streamed on YouTube Produced by Goddard/ and HBO Max Brown; aired on TVOkids

36 SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Short Form Content (Ages 6-9)

Nominees

ScienceXplosion Space Kids YTV Dayparts - The Zone, (Episode 107: The Era of (Storybook in the Sky / Zone Weekend, Big Fun the Air Pump / Episode What is a Black Hole / Movies 108: Find the Culprit) What is a Nebula) (The Zone - August 14, Produced by GAPC Produced by Imagine 2020) Produced by Entertainment Inc.; Create Media; aired on BGM Inc. and Corus aired on TVOkids TVOkids Entertainment; aired on YTV

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Short Form Content (Ages 9+)

Nominees

STEAM Stars Denis and Me The Solutioneers Miskatonic (Astronaut Dr. Jenni (Lemonade Stand-Off) (Numbers) Produced by (Teaser) Sidey-Gibbons meets the Produced by Headspinner Shaftesbury; streamed on Produced by Arcana STEAM Sisters) Produced Productions Inc.; streamed Shaftesbury Kids YouTube Studio; streamed by Shaftesbury; streamed on CRAVE, and YouTube Channel on vimeo on the Shaftesbury Kids YouTube Channel

Award of Award

Excellence BEST PROGRAM, ANIMATION CATEGORIES Juries of production professionals grant these awards to children’s and youth programs that stand out for their excellence.

SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Animation (Preschool 3-5)

Nominees

Hero Elementary 16 Hudson StarBeam (Monster Hunters / Soapy (The Great Race) (Snacktime for Stewart) Situation) Produced by Big Bad Boo Produced by Kickstart Produced by Portfolio Studios Inc.; aired on Entertainment; streamed Entertainment Inc. and TVOkids, Knowledge Kids on Netflix Twin Cities PBS; aired on and CBC-Radio Canada TVOkids and PBS

Xavier Riddle and the Esme & Roy Secret Museum (To Cupcake With Love/ (I am Harriet Tubman) A True Monsterpiece) Produced by 9 Story Media Produced by Nelvana Group Inc. and Brown Bag Limited and Sesame Films; aired on PBS Kids Workshop; aired on Treehouse

38 SPONSORED BY Award of Excellence for Best Program, Animation (*Ages 6-9 and 9+)

Nominees

Snoopy in Space Dorg Van Dango The Last Kids on Earth Molly of Denali (Mission 10) (Dorg Rewinds / Dorg (June Gloom) (Molly and the Great One) Produced by WildBrain; and the Last Supperman) Produced by Atomic Produced by Atomic aired on Apple TV+ Produced by WildBrain Cartoons; streamed Cartoons and WGBH; and Cartoon Saloon; aired on Netflix aired on PBS and CBC on Family Channel

39 40 Award of Excellence, Outstanding Youth Performer audacity andpositive presence onallplatforms. under 18years oldwhostandsoutfor uniqueness, shines thespotlightonatalentedperformer Awarded by our membersof thejury, thisaward Bajillionaires, andLockdown. credits includeOddsquad,Star Trek Discovery, and trained at the prestigious Second City. Her actress from Toronto. She beganactingatage10 equality. international debater, andadvocate for gender CBC KidsNews. Saara isalsoanaward-winning & Shred, Holly Hobbie, Dino Dana,Lockdown and dancer, andsinger known for her work onMax ARISTA ARHIN SAARA CHAUDRY SAARA SAARA ARISTA CHAUDRY ARHIN isa16-year oldaward-winning isanaward winning actor,