A veritable who’s who of Canadian kids media braved an unseasonal Toronto heatwave last night to celebrate some outstanding industry achievements at the Youth Media Alliance’s 2023 Awards of Excellence. 

Actors Anisha Joshi and Mercedes Gaztambide expertly MC’d the annual gala, bringing the house down with bits that included a vigorous tap dance performance and witty zingers about Gen Xers and Millennials. The duo are the hosts of CBC web series Street Cents, which breaks down financial literacy for teens.

Kicking off the event, Lopii Productions scored back-to-back wins in the Live Action, Non-Scripted categories for The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy (preschool 3-5) and My Home, My Life! (ages 6-9).

And another non-scripted production, marblemedia’s All-Round Champion, took home the highly coveted Grand Prize and also the Outstanding Youth Performer or Ensemble award, beating out several high-profile scripted series in this category.

Many of last night’s success stories showcased diversity and inclusion, including Run Jump Play‘s win in the Best Program, Short-Form Content (ages 6+) category. This 2D-animated series from Imagine Create Media follows a group of kids on the autism spectrum who tap into courage and fun through sports. And producer Sabine Daniel took home a Best Podcast award for The Incredible Story of Afro-Canadians, which examines the legacy of Black Canadians throughout history. 

Two special honors went to Marilyn Kynaston (Outstanding Achievement Award) and Joan Digba (Emerging Talent Award).

Kynaston, a veteran distribution executive who recently retired from Sinking Ship, was lauded for her leadership and years of contribution to the industry. She began her career at Forefront Entertainment before setting up Picture Box Distribution with longtime business partner and close friend Kate Sanagan. A team from Sinking Ship (which acquired Picture Box in 2016) put together a crowd-pleasing, ’80s-inspired music video tribute—in which Sanagan memorably rocked a frosted mullet—highlighting the unsung efforts of distribution execs to the tune of Whitney Houston’s 1985 pop hit “How Will I Know”.

Digba, an associate producer at Sinking Ship, was recognized for her talent in storytelling. She has worked on series like Aunty B’s House from Headspinner Productions and Sinking Ship’s Beyond Black Beauty. She also won the audience over with a hilarious acceptance video featuring the evening’s most shameless plug for work.

Here is a full list of the 2023 YMA Awards of Excellence winners:

Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Preschool 3-5)

The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy – “I Love Where I Come From”

Lopii Productions (Family Jr.)

Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Ages 6-9)

My Home, My Life! – “My Up and Down Homes”

Lopii Productions (TVOKids)

Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Ages 9+)

Know Brainers – “Overcoming Fear – Monsters! Deadly Heights! Basic Swimming!”

TVOKids (YouTube)

Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Preschool 3-5)

Miss Persona – “Love Every Moment / When You Miss Someone”

Balloon House Productions (Treehouse)

Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Ages 6-9)

Endlings – “Save Yourself”

Sinking Ship Entertainment (CBC)

Live Action Scripted (Ages 9+)

Take Note – Episode 106: Growth

Lambur Productions (Family Channel)

Best Program, Animation (Preschool 3-5)

Lucas the Spider – “Lucas the Pirate”

Fresh TV and Wexworks Media (Family Jr.)

Best Program, Animation (Ages 6+)

Daniel Spellbound – “The Cheat Code”

Boat Rocker Media and Industrial Brothers (Netflix)

Best Program, Short-Form Content (Preschool 3-5)

Maria Mini Explorer – “Mini Maria’s Kitchen Catastrophe, Mini Maria’s Sand Castle Surprise, Mini Maria’s Bug Safari”

Turtlebox Productions (Peacock Jr.)

Best Program, Short-Form Content (Ages 6+)

Run Jump Play – “Stories from the Autism Spectrum (Jacob)” 

Imagine Create Media (TVOKids and Knowledge Network)

Best Gaming or Interactive Experience

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum—Museum Maker 

9 Story Media Group, Brown Bag Films and Relish Interactive (PBS KIDS website)

Best Podcast

The Incredible Story of Afro-Canadians 

Sabine Daniel

Outstanding Youth Performer or Ensemble

All-Round Champion cast

Grand Prize

All-Round Champion

marblemedia (TVOKids)

The team from Lopii Productions’ The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy take to the stage to collect their award.

Museum Maker, based on Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, won the award for Best Gaming or Interactive Experience.

The crowd cheered as producer Sabine Daniel spoke of how she has been inspired by both English and French content from the Canadian kids industry.

The 80’s-themed video tribute by Sinking Ship earned foot taps and big laughs from the audience.