Montreal, February 9, 2025 - Today marks the opening of North America's largest international youth content market. The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) and its partners are pleased to lead the Canadian delegation to the Kidscreen Summit, February 9-12, 2025, held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina; thanks to the renewed support of Creative BC, Ontario Creates,  Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), Telefilm Canada, and Canada Media Fund (CMF).

More than 225 Canadian delegates, including 132 Canadian producers and broadcasters of children's and youth content, will meet with potential buyers and partners at the Canada pavillion, for a total of more than 350 meetings over four days. A montage of trailers for new Canadian productions will be shown continuously throughout the market.

In addition, participants will attend conferences and special events organized by Brunico during the Kidscreen Summit. This annual event has quickly become the world's leading children's entertainment conference, regularly welcoming over 2,200 participants from around the globe. Key decision-makers and negotiators attend to engage in dialogue, network and find new ideas to drive their businesses forward.

Visiting Dignitaries 
YMA and its partners are also pleased to welcome dignitaries from the Canadian and Quebec governments to help promote Canadian business in the region, including Matthew Oppenheimer, Creative Industries Trade Commissioner at Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles, and Jean-Baptiste Piron, Cultural Attaché, Quebec Office, American West, Délégation du Québec à Los Angeles.

Canadians in the spotlight
The Kidscreen Awards will be unveiled on the evening of Tuesday, February 11, celebrating excellence in international children's production. This year, several Canadian talents are among the nominees, testifying to the dynamism and creativity of our industry.

 
PRESCHOOL
Best New Series 
Dylan’s Playtime Adventures – 9 Story Media Group, Brown Bag Films 

Best Animated Series
Sesame Street: Mecha Builders – Sesame Workshop, (Guru Studio)

Best Holiday or Special Episode
“The Legend of Jack O’Lantern/The Mecha T-Rex” (Sesame Street: Mecha Builders) – Sesame Workshop, (Guru Studio)

Best Podcast
Work It Out Wombats! – GBH Kids, Cultural Whispers, PRX, PBS KIDS, (Pipeline Studios Ltd)

Best Inclusivity
Let’s Go, Bananas! – 9 Story Media Group, Brown Bag Films

KIDS
Best Animated Series
LEGO Pixar – LEGO Entertainment, Atomic Cartoons

Best Holiday or Special Episode
“Our Blue and Green World” (Wild Kratts) – 9 Story Media Group, Kratt Brothers, Brown Bag Films 
 
TWEENS/TEENS 
Best Inclusivity
Beyond Black Beauty – Sinking Ship Entertainment, Leif Films, Saga Film

The nominees in the broadcasting categories are: 
Best Kids–Only Streaming Service
TVOKids 

The nominees in the digital categories are: 
PRESCHOOL
Best Web/App Series—Original
Coco Boo – Image–in Atlantique

Best Learning App—Branded
PAW Patrol Academy – Spin Master
Sesame Street: Mecha Builders – StoryToys, Sesame Workshop, (Guru Studio)

Best Game App—Branded
Sesame Street: Mecha Builders – StoryToys, Sesame Workshop, (Guru Studio) 

KIDS 
Best Website
Ainara’s Book Club – Turtlebox Productions
CBC Kids News – CBC Kids

Best Web/App Series—Original
Street Cents – CBC Kids

Best Alternative Game
Toca Boca World – Spin Master
 
Canadians on the Jury
Many Canadians are on the Kidscreen Awards jury this year:

2025 PROGRAMMING JUDGES 
Swin Chang 
Executive in Charge of Development & Production
CBC Kids 

Kirsten Hurd 
Commissioning Editor 
TVOKids 

Marie McCann 
Senior Director, Children's Content 
CBC Kids 

Katie Wilson 
VP, Global Sales & Acquisitions 
WildBrain

2025 BEST INCLUSIVITY JUDGES 
Rennata Lopez 
Co-CEO, Executive Producer & Director 
Lopii Productions 

Tom McGillis 
President 
Fresh TV 

2025 DIGITAL JUDGES 
Steve Couture 
Chief Executive Officer, Epic Storyworlds and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Epic Story Media 
Epic Storyworlds 

Marc De Vellis 
Global Head of Studios, Digital Games 
Spin Master 

Canadian Production and broadcast companies at work
Over 132 companies will attend, including :
 
•    Andicha Media, QC: Savoir Légendaire
•    Blue Ant Media, ON: Mimi On A Mission: Sex Ed, Kooki’s Crafty Show, Detention Adventure, When I Grow Up!, The Inspectors, News of the Wild
•    Copernicus Studios, NS Solar Opposites, Curious George, Give Mouse a Cookie, Teen Titans Go
•    Happy Camper, QC: Beat Bugs, Mini-Jon and Mini-Maple, The Spudragons
•    Landslide Entertainment, SK: Max Velocity, Louis Says, Jim Brady: In the Footsteps of the Metis Leader
•    Lopii Productions, ON - Diversity: Dream It To Be It, The Fabulous Show with Fay & Fluffy
•    Prestigo Productions, QC: Your life without it, critter questions science or magic?, The ultimate Dance Challenge
•    Spin Master Ltd, ON: PAW Patrol®, Bakugan®, Kinetic Sand®, Air Hogs®, Hatchimals®, Rubik's Cube® and GUND®
•    Sinking Ship Entertainment, ON: Jane, Endlings, Dino Dana
•    Trio Orange, QC: The Cavaliers, Joanie’s safari, Curium
•    Wildbrain, ON: Camp Snoopy, Snoopy in Space, The Snoopy Show, Yo Gabba GabbaLand!, Sonic Prime, The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, Carmen Sandiego, Ninjago, Dorg Van Dango, Go, Dog. Go!, Chip and Potato, Polly Pocket, and Johnny Test.
 

The complete list of Canadian companies present can be consulted on the YMA website at the following link: https://www.ymamj.org/en/kidscreen-2025

New Networking Events with International Delegations
New business development activities initiated by SODEC and organized by YMA will enable members of the Canadian delegation to meet international delegations from Spain, the UK and Taiwan, in the Canada pavillion at 9 a.m. on February 10, 11 and 12.  

Finally, activities will begin with YMA welcoming participants to the Canada pavillion for an informal meeting on February 9, 2024 at 10 a.m.

For more details on the event, visit our website at: https://www.ymamj.org/en/kidscreen-2025

Partners
YMA would like to thank its loyal partners, Creative BC, Ontario Creates, Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), Téléfilm Canada and the Canada Media Funds (CMF).