TORONTO – Last evening, the Shaw Rocket Fund announced that Degrassi: The Next Generation, produced by Toronto’s Epitome Pictures, is the first ever recipient of the $50,000 Shaw Rocket Prize.
The prize was established by Shaw Communications to recognize and celebrate excellence in Canadian children’s television. This year marks the first of three years that the prize will be awarded.
Four finalists for the Shaw Rocket Prize were selected by an independent, international jury of leaders in children’s TV from the U.K., U.S., Australia, Germany and Canada from submissions made by Canadian producers.
A jury of close to 400 students in grades seven through nine, participating in the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) program in public schools across Canada, reviewed the finalists’ programs and voted independently for the winner of the $50,000 prize on a dedicated, secure web site.
Jim Shaw, CEO of Shaw Communications presented Epitome Pictures with a winning rocket sculpture by Vancouver artist Booth Milton.
"Winning the Shaw Rocket Prize is thrilling. We are producing youth television because we believe in it, and it is fantastic to be judged by and honoured by our audience," said Linda Schuyler, creator and executive producer, Degrassi: TNG. "Having the support of the Shaw Rocket Fund is so important for Canadian producers to be able to continue producing world renowned programming."
"Degrassi: The Next Generation is an outstanding example of high quality youth television programming produced in Canada. The winning votes from our knowledgeable young jury demonstrates this," said Annabel Slaight, chair, Shaw Rocket Fund.
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a dramatic take on real-life issues of high school students. It is the sequel to the popular Degrassi series of the 1980’s. Airing on CTV, this year marks the fifth season for Degrassi: TNG and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Degrassi franchise.
