The animated preschool series Lu & The Bally Bunch, from 9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films, has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Japan Prize in the Audiovisual Works Pre-school Division category, for the season one episode ‘Bug Hugs.’ The Japan Prize is an internationally renowned competition that recognizes outstanding educational content across various media platforms, including television, radio, and online. Since its inception in 1965, the Japan Prize has been a symbol of excellence in educational broadcasting, celebrating content that fosters learning, innovation, and cultural understanding among audiences of all ages. Being named a Japan Prize finalist is a fantastic recognition for Lu & The Bally Bunch, acknowledging the show’s positive impact on young viewers around the globe and celebrating the series inclusive characters, authentic storylines, and catchy tunes. It is also a significant achievement for the Lu & The Bally Bunch team and a testament to their incredible work bringing the world of Ballybug from script to screen.
“The Lu & the Bally Bunch team are honored for the show to be considered as a finalist for the Japan Prize. It’s very heartwarming for us to see our bugs fly out into the world, and this nomination is an exciting recognition for the whole team to receive.”
~Nicky Phelan, Creator & Director, Lu & The Bally Bunch
Produced by 9 Story Media Group and their award-winning studio Brown Bag Films, with the participation of Warner Bros. Discovery and CBC Kids, Lu & the Bally Bunch was created and directed by Brown Bag Films’ director Nicky Phelan (Vampirina, Bing, Octonauts), Oscar®-nominated for his short film Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty. The series is animated out of Brown Bag’s Dublin and Toronto studio locations, with global distribution rights for the show held by 9 Story Distribution International, and worldwide consumer product rights sitting with 9 Story Brands. Lu & The Bally Bunch follows Lu, a little ladybird who has just started preschool with her new friends. Together they explore their brand-new social lives through play, music, big feelings and even bigger fun. The series, which was inspired by Nicky’s mother’s experience running a preschool, celebrates the messy reality of preschool and explores the everyday dramas of first friendships.
The episode titled ‘Bug Hugs’ from season one of Lu & The Bally Bunch is recognized as a finalist in the Audiovisual Works Pre-school Division category alongside six other exceptional series from across the globe, including The Sound Collector (Eagle Vs Bat, Enanimation srl), Said & Anna (Phanta Basta!, Indi Film, EO, Ketnet, SWR), Jasmine & Jambo (Teidees Audiovisuals S.L., Televisio de Catalunya, IB3), I Love ‘Mee’ (NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), NHK Educational Corporation), The Fantus Show (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), and The Worlds of Reni (El Molinete Animacion, Osa Estudio, Asociacion Jordi El Mussol). The Pre-school Division category is focused on content that engages, inspires, and educates young minds in meaningful ways. Lu & The Bally Bunch focuses on the transition from home life to preschool life. It is based on a curriculum of preschool empowerment through Non-Violent Communication. In preschool, children must learn how to advocate for their wants and needs, become aware of the impact of their choices, and navigate a new social life with peers. They also must learn how to engage with conflict, which all requires the acquisition of a whole new set of communication skills. It is these life lessons and communication skills that the series beautifully weaves into whimsical and entertaining stories for kids.
“‘Bug Hugs’ was one of the very first episodes that Nicky developed for Lu & The Bally Bunch, with the goal of introducing the idea of boundaries for little ones in a really funny, relatable way. We’re thrilled that this story has resonated with The Japan Prize and honoured to be shortlisted”
~Jennie Stacey, VP, Development & Production, 9 Story Media Group
In the episode ‘Bug Hugs,’ the character of Barnaby learns to ask before hugging his friends and to pay attention to the answer.
It is a tremendous honour to see Lu & The Bally Bunch included amongst the many talented Japan Prize finalists this year, a list of series that display an unwavering commitment to telling both inspiring and educational stories that are certain to leave a lasting impact on young minds. A huge congratulations to the entire Lu & The Bally Bunch team on this momentous recognition.
This year the Japan Prize received 423 entries for Audiovisual Works and Proposal Pitches from 59 countries and regions in the world. The organizers will be announcing the Best Work and Award of Honor for each division and the Special Prize on September 25th in advance of the Japan Prize Festival Week, which runs from November 18 – 21. Winners will be invited to Tokyo to present their works at the festival screenings. The Grand Prix Japan Prize and the winners of the Proposal Pitch will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on November 21, 2024.
Learn more about this year’s Japan Prize and finalists here.
Watch Lu & The Bally Bunch around the world on Cartoonito (UK, LatAm), CBeebies (UK), CBC Kids (CND), ABC (AU), TVNZ+ (NZ), and RTÉ (Ireland).