We are thrilled to share that 9 Story has received three nominations at the 2024 Rockie Awards, including Lu & the Bally Bunch (9 Story Media Group, Brown Bag Films) in the Animation: Preschool category, A Kind of Spark (9 Story Media Group, BBC, BYUtv) in the Live Action: Youth category, and Rosie’s Flop Fiesta (9 Story Media Group, PBS KIDS, Curious Media) in the Interactive Children and Youth Content category.
With a 45-year legacy, the prestigious Rockie Awards International Program Competition recognizes excellence in global television and digital content. Entries from more than 45 countries compete each year, and winners are selected by an international industry jury of 150+ senior entertainment and media professionals.
Lu & The Bally Bunch was nominated in the Animation: Preschool category, going up against Kiri and Lou (Stretchy, NZ On Air, Sky Originals NZ), Tabby McTat (Magic Light Pictures), The Adventures of Paddington (Studio Canal, Nick Jr, Heyday, Blue Zoo, Superprod), and The Tiny Chef Show (Imagine Entertainment, Tiny Chef Productions, Nickelodeon Productions).
Produced by 9 Story’s award-winning studio Brown Bag Films in Dublin and Toronto, 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 global distribution efforts are lead by 9 Story Distribution International, while 9 Story Brands retains global merchandising rights. Lu is a little ladybird who has just started preschool with her new friends. Together they explore their brand new social lives though 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. Lu & The Bally Bunch is a funny and affectionate look at Lu and her friends as they learn to get along. Featuring original songs and grounded in a curriculum of preschool empowerment, stories are rooted in authentic interactions and experiences, inspired by conversations with preschoolers, their parents and teachers.
A Kind of Spark (9 Story Media Group, BBC, BYUtv) was nominated in the Live Action: Youth category, alongside Crazy Fun Park (Werner Film Productions, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Screen Australia, VicScreen), Home Sweet Rome! (RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, Red Monk Studio, First Generation Films, HBO Max, Wildbrain, BBC, ARD/One Gate M), Save Our Wildlife (Fresh Start Media, Sky Kids, Sky Zero, Sky News), and Sofiy and Her War (Hakka TV).
Based on the award-winning book by neurodivergent children’s author Elle McNicoll, A Kind of Spark is powerful and heart-warming story about friendship, courage and self-belief. The series interweaves the past and present in ten action packed episodes full of the joys of friendship, sisterhood, the drama of growing up, mystery and magic. A Kind of Spark takes place in the small village of Juniper where teenager, Addie, a bright and sparky autistic girl, dreams of acceptance in a conservative community. Addie’s desire to be herself and protect her sister from prejudice becomes entwined with a historical mystery of Maggie and Elinor, two sisters in the 16th century. Maggie was accused of witchcraft and mysteriously vanished before she could be brought to trial while Elinor is struggling with her true self. As Addie tries to figure out what happens to Maggie, she discovers an even more surprising connection to Elinor. Can Addie challenge how the people live-action see her and her autism and make her voice heard?
Filmed in Knutsford, Manchester, and produced by 9 Story Media Group, A Kind of Spark has authentic representation throughout its production with the three lead characters of Addie, Keedie and Nina played by neurodivergent actors, along with approximately 50% of the cast and crew also being neurodivergent. The series also secured a season 2 greenlight from BBC and BYUtv, which began filming in September 2023, in Northern Ireland.
Rosie’s Rules: Rosie’s Flop Fiesta (9 Story Media Group, PBS KIDS, Curious Media) was nominated in the Interactive Children and Youth Content category, going up against Bestest Day Ever with My Best Friend (Lopii Productions, CBC Kids, Canada Media Fund), Love Chat Box: Virtual Romance (Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation), Turtle Island Skate Jam (CBC Kids, Nations Skate Youth, Zenfri), Weirdwood Manor Vol. 2 – Rise of the Therimancer (Relish Studios, Wasabi Entertainment)
Rosie’s Rules, is an animated series that follows the adventures of Rosie Fuentes, a 5-year-old Mexican American girl. When she has a question that she can’t let go of she looks for the answers, sharing the “rules” about life she learns along the way with viewers. She does all of this with her blended, multicultural family by her side, teaching kids how to navigate their world. In the game Rosie’s Flop Fiesta, developed by 9 Story’s Interactive team along with partners PBS KIDS and Curious Media, players engage in 4 mini-games, from cleaning up the space for guests to decorating the backyard with themed party decorations, building a bouncy house, and cooking treats with Papa. But as Rosie encounters mishaps and challenges her frustrations grow, and players can help her express her feelings by selecting a “feeling jalapeño”. Alternatively, players can step into their own mindfulness imagination space, where Rosie guides players through different charming breathing exercises to transform frustration into mindful moments. Whether you’re wiggling about, or doing a giggly-wiggly noodle dance, these preschool-friendly techniques provide a playful way for kids to start understanding how to cope with stress. In collaboration with Google Kids Space, this game helps kids explore fundamental lessons behind mindfulness. As a beginner’s introduction into that space, the developers were able to pepper in humor, and other special moments that could expand upon what the show already introduces, in a more practical and immersive way, modeling the best practices and behavior. During the development of this game the team collaborated with mindfulness consultants, participated in breathing meditations as a team to get inspired and of course vigorous play testing. Check out Rosie’s Rules: Rosie’s Flop Fiesta and other fun activities by visiting the Rosie’s Rules Games page on PBSKIDS.org.
A huge congratulations to our nominated productions and partners, including BBC, BYUtv, PBS KIDS and Curious Media, and to everyone involved in bringing these series to life across our 9 Story and Brown Bag Films teams. We would also like to extend a warm round of applause to all this year’s Rockie Awards nominees.
The 2024 Rockie Awards category winners, including the Grand Jury Prize will be announced at a ceremony that will be presented at the Banff World Media Festival in June 2024.
To see the full list of 2024 Rockie Awards nominees click here.