Canada’s public broadcaster has announced the first kids stream finalists for its AccessCBC program, an initiative that provides training, mentoring and pre-development funding to emerging deaf and disabled content creators in Canada. 

Earlier this year, applicants were encouraged to submit concepts for either animated or live-action short-form series (with episodes up to 11 minutes in length) targeting either four- to six-year-olds or six- to 10-year-olds. Winning projects were selected based on their potential fit for the CBC Kids morning block, streamer CBC Gem, or the broadcaster’s YouTube channel.

Winners—up to five individuals or teams (with at least one producer and one writer who are deaf and/or have a disability)—will receive stipends of up to US$7,400 in pre-development funding to create pitch packages, as well as training and mentorship opportunities.

The dedicated kids stream is supported by production execs Swin Chang, Lisa Cinelli and Drew Mullin; manager of content and development Shamhan Bhuiyan; director of digital content Mia Rodak; and senior director of children’s content Marie McCann.

The three winning kids projects are: 

• Nanny and the Ninnywoos—This animated series for the four- to six-year-olds from Toronto-based creator Samantha Hayes tells the story of a little girl with a facial difference who sets off on adventures with a group of magical kangaroo-like creatures. It explores themes about bravery, belonging and acceptance. Since graduating from Centennial College’s Children’s Media program, Hayes has worked on kids shows including Ruby and the Well (Shaftesbury Kids) and Gisele’s Mashup Adventures (Headspinner Productions).

• Chick-a-Duck—From creators Rebeka Herron and Rebecca Hales, this three- to five-minute preschool toon stars a chicken that turns into a duck when it sneezes, and back to a chicken when it sneezes again. Herron is a mixed-race, differently-abled Latina filmmaker, a Canadian Film Centre alumna, and founder of her own studio, Rusty Halo Productions. Hales is an official language minority community member (OLMC), a stroke survivor, and a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Prime Time Television Program.

• The Space Hoppers—Aimed at children ages four to 10, this 11-minute animated series from deaf creator David Campbell chronicles the cosmic adventures of three young explorers on a quest to locate their missing mentor. 

All four participants are currently attending development workshops to benefit from pitch-writing advice, individualized feedback, and coaching on how to package and market their projects.

AccessCBC launched in 2022 and offers two streams for scripted and unscripted content. The kids stream was added in February 2024. This year’s program is a collaboration with Canadian non-profit org Disability Screen Office. 

More details about AccessCBC and its eligibility guidelines can be found at cbc.ca.

(Pictured clockwise from top left – Rebecca Hales, Rebeka Herron, David Campbell, Samantha Hayes)