TVKIDS
The Youth Media Alliance has announced the winners of the 2021 Awards of Excellence, celebrating the best in Canadian children’s and youth media.
Among the best program winners were Backyard Beats (live action, non-scripted, 6-9) and It’s My Party (live action, non-scripted, 9+), both of which were produced by BGM and aired on TVOkids. Other best program winners included the Sinking Ship Entertainment-produced Dino Dana (live action, scripted, preschool) and Endlings (live action, scripted, 6-9), and About Sex (live action, scripted, 9+), from Écho Média.
In the short-form categories, best program awards went to the preschool series 6 Seis Cumbia for Sesame Street, produced by Lopii Productions and aired on Treehouse TV, PBS Kids and HBO Max. In the 6 to 9 segment, the winner was Space Kids, produced by Imagine Create Media and aired on TVOkids; while the winner in the 9+ category was STEAM Stars, produced by Shaftesbury and streamed on the Shaftesbury Kids YouTube Channel.
The Award of Excellence for best preschool animation program was given to Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, produced by 9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films and aired on PBS Kids. Molly of Denali, produced by Atomic Cartoons and WGBH and aired on PBS and CBC, won the Award of Excellence for best animation program for kids aged 6 to 9 and 9+.
Millie Davis won the Outstanding Youth Performer award. Millie Davis is known for her roles on Odd Squad, Esme & Roy, Dino Dana, Orphan Black, Wonder and Good Boys.
CBC Kids News, produced by CBC Kids, won the Award of Excellence for best gaming or interactive experience. The Award of Excellence for best podcast went to The Story Store, also produced by CBC Kids
Michelle Melanson Cuperus was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award. Cuperus has 30 years of experience in the production business, with hundreds of episodes produced and over 50 awards and nominations, including both Emmy and BAFTA nominations. She is also the founder of Women Drawn Together and the co-founder of Headspinner Productions.
The Emerging Talent Award was given to Rennata and Georgina Lopez, founders of Lopii Productions.
The 2021 Awards of Excellence Winners were announced during a virtual gala streamed live from the Globe and Mail Centre. The event was hosted by Kara Harun and Jadiel Dowlin and directed by Aidan Cosgrave.
