The Canadian kids media industry came out in full force last night for the Youth Media Alliance’s annual awards gala celebrating content excellence. Hosted with lots of energy and fun K-pop performances by Angela Song and Taran Kim, the talented co-stars of Pillango Productions’ Gangnam Project, the event attracted a veritable who’s-who crowd of leading execs from the region for an evening of catching up, commiserating and remembering the importance of making great shows for kids in Canada and beyond. 

Culling from 83 submissions and 50 shortlisted nominees, 18 category winners were recognized, including Sinking Ship, which totally owned the scripted live action field with a different show winning in every category: Wordsville (preschool), Jane (6-9) and Beyond Black Beauty (9+). Plus Jane star Ava Louise Murchison was honored as this year’s Outstanding Youth Performer.

Blue Ant Media was also a big winner, taking home the coveted Grand Prize for an episode of Davey & Jonesie’s Locker called “The Day the Music Schneid” and also scoring two wins with All Round Champion season six in the Live Action Non-Scripted category for 9+ and Outstanding Youth Ensemble.

Although she wasn’t able to be there in person because she’s currently on a 37-day/800-kilometer Camino Trail walking trek in Spain, longtime industry leader Marney Malabar (pictured) was celebrated for her distinguished career in youth content production with an Outstanding Achievement Award. Her sister was on hand to receive her trophy, and Malabar delivered a charming and inspiring video message encouraging the “bravest and boldest people making content for kids” to keep going despite the challenges because the mission is more important now than ever before. 

Finally, the evening ended with a special acknowledgement of the 25th anniversary of APTN—the world’s first Indigenous broadcaster—and its role in providing high-quality content to Canada’s First Nations youth audiences. CEO Monika Ille accepted the tribute with passion and grace before leading the crowd in a standing ovation for the All Nations Junior Drummers, a Pow Wow-influenced youth drum group that gave a stirring performance to close out the night.  

Here’s a complete list of this year’s YMA winners:

Best Program, Animation (Preschool 3-5)
Let’s Go, Bananas! – “Sleepover Party Pooper/Great Growl-Mom” 
9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films (CBC Kids)

Best Program, Animation (Ages 6-9+)
Total Drama Island – “Pirates of the Cabbage’an” 
Fresh TV (Cartoon Network)

Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Preschool 3-5)
Wordsville – “The Case of the Uncompromising Community” 
Sinking Ship Entertainment (TVOKids, WNET)

Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Ages 6-9)
Jane – “Ursus Maritimus”
Sinking Ship Entertainment (Apple TV+)

Best Program, Live Action Scripted (Ages 9+)
Beyond Black Beauty – “Feels Like Home” 
Sinking Ship Entertainment and Leif Films (Amazon Prime, Family Channel)

Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Preschool 3-5)
The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy – “I Love My Name!”
Lopii Productions (Family Jr)

Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Ages 6-9)
Dream It To Be It – “I Dream of Ballet”
Lopii Productions (TVO, Knowledge Network

Best Program, Live Action Non-Scripted (Ages 9+)
All Round Champion – season 6 – “Episode 604: Pickleball” 
Blue Ant Studios (TVOKids, BYUtv, Knowledge Network, PCCW Media)

Best Program, Short-Form Content (Preschool 3-5)
Silly Paws – “Starstruck”
CBC Kids (CBC Kids)

AND

Happy Place – “The Art Show/Giving Feels Good/Bathtime for Harry” 
Imagine Create Media (TVOKids)

Best Program, Short Form Content (Ages 6-9+)
Street Cents – “Getting Your First Betta Fish”
CBC Kids (CBC Kids)

Best Narrative Film or One-Off Special
Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie 
WildBrain (Apple TV+)

Best Gaming or Interactive Experience
Echo Hunter 
CBC Kids (CBC Kids website)

Grand Prize
Davey & Jonesie’s Locker – “Episode 103: The Day the Music Schneid” 
Blue Ant Studios (Amazon Prime, Hulu)

Outstanding Youth Ensemble
All Round Champion – season 6 – cast
Blue Ant Studios 

Outstanding Youth Performer
Ava Louise Murchison – Jane 
Sinking Ship Entertainment

Best Hosts or On-Air Personality
Ainara Alleyne – Ainara’s Bookshelf

Emerging Talent Award
Lindsay Lee

Outstanding Achievement Award
Marney Malabar

Image courtesy of Jocelyn Christie.