"Molly of Denali" and "Xavier Riddle" win the YMA Awards of Excellence for animation

The Canadian Youth Media Alliance has announced the winners of the 2021 Excellence Awards during a virtual gala streamed from the Globe and Mail Center on Wednesday. The event was hosted by Kara Harun and Jadiel Dowlin, who delighted attendees with their playful jokes and directed by Aidan Cosgrave. The YMA celebrates the best of Canadian media for children and young people.

This year Best program, animation the winners are Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum "I'm Harriet Tubman" in the Preschool category (produced by 9 Story Media Group / Brown Bag Films; airing on PBS KIDS) e Molly of Denali "Molly and the Great One" for ages 6-9 and 9+ (Atomic Cartoons / WGBH; PBS / CBC).

Educational animations were also successful in Contents in abbreviated form competition. 6 Seis Cumbia for Sesame Street won for Preschool (Lopii Prod.; Treehouse / PBS KIDS / HBO Max) and Space Kids "Storybook in the Sky / What Is a Nebula" for ages 6-9 (Imagine creating media; TVOkids).

Founders of Lopii Productions Georgina and Rennata López were also awarded with the Emerging Talent Award, awarded to promising professionals whose achievements have made them a rising star in children's programming. Identical twin sisters and award-winning TV producers founded their prodco in July 2018, joining forces following their respective freelance careers to create and produce their own high-quality, inclusive and diverse children's programming.

Il Outstanding achievement award for a distinguished career in producing Canadian youth content, contributions have been made to industry, leadership, innovation, inspiration and commitment to Michelle Melanson Cuperus. With executive producer / supervisor credits covering both live-action and animated hits (Denis and I., Fangbone!, Stella and Sam), Cuperus has 30 years of industry experience with hundreds of episodes produced and over 50 awards and nominations, including Emmy and BAFTA nominations. She is also the founder of Women Drawn Together, a free organization that promotes learning, networking and mentoring for women in the animation community, and the co-founder of Headspinner Productions.

Millie Davis received on Exceptional young performer prize. Davis has been acting since the age of four. She is known for her roles in Odd Squad, Esme & Roy, Dino Dana, Orphan Black, Wonder e Good guys. Outside of acting, he works with the Make a Wish Foundation, the Children's Cranial Association, and We Charity.

The other winners of the YMA Awards of Excellence were:

• Best program, unscripted live action, ages 6-9 | Backyard Beats "Indigenous Hand Drum" - Produced by BGM Inc.; broadcast on TVOkids
• Best Program, Unscripted Live Action, Ages 9 and Up | It's my party! "Pride" - BGM Inc.; TVOkids
• Best program, live action with script, kindergarten | Dino Dana "Sounds of Dinosaurs" - Sinking Ship Entertainment; TVOkids / Amazon Prime
• Best Program, Live Action Screenplay, Ages 6-9 | Endlings “The End is the Beginning, Part 2” - Sinking Ship Entertainment; CBC / Hulu
• Best program, live action with script, ages 9 and up | About sex "Sexual orientation" - Écho Média; CBC Gem
• Best gaming or interactive experience, for all ages | CBC Kids News - CBC Kids
• Best Podcast | The Story Store "Bee the Tea" - CBC Kids