Shaw Rocket Fund


The Shaw Rocket Fund is a non-profit organization that funds both English and French Canadian children's television and digital programs. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, it is the largest private funder for Canadian kids' media for independent producers, and is one of Shaw Communications' .

History

The Shaw Rocket Fund was created in 1998 by Shaw Communications as a private funder of Canadian kids' TV production. In 2004, Agnes Augustin became President & CEO of the Fund. Agnes was previously a Manager and Vice President of Business Affairs for production and distribution companies, Head of Production for CMT, and an independent producer.
Shaw Communications continues to contribute to the Shaw Rocket Fund, and the Shaw Rocket Fund has invested over $220 million into 865 programs of Canadian kids' content.
The Shaw Rocket Fund is listed as a Certified Independent Production Fund by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and as a private funder with the Canadian Media Production Association.

Board

The Shaw Rocket Fund Board consists of five industry professionals.
The Shaw Rocket Fund created the in 2004 as a way to award high-quality Canadian children's programs.
The Shaw Rocket Prize is an annual award, funded by the Shaw Rocket Fund, that is presented to one or more Canadian television programs. It started out as one $50,000 prize, awarded to the winning program, but in 2013 it expanded to three $25,000 prizes, awarded to a winner in each of three categories. Production companies apply for the Prize by submitting their programs online. Eligible entries are reviewed by an International Jury, made up of four to five industry professionals. Once the jury has selected the finalists, another jury, made up of Canadian children, votes online for the winner. Global TV did a segment on the winners in 2014.

International Jury

Kids' Jury

The Shaw Rocket Prize Kids' Jury is made up of children from across Canada. Over the years it has evolved, originally beginning with a few select schools, and expanding to include children from all of Canada in the 0-17 age group. Preschoolers 5 and under screen and vote for one of three programs suitable for their age group, as do children aged 6–12 and youth aged 13–17.

Nominees

Winners in bold
YearNominees
2005, Franny's Feet, Poko, Shoebox Zoo
2006Being Ian, Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Heads Up!, Naturally Sadie, Poko II
2007Make Some Noise, Hope for the Future, Instant Star, The Snow Queen
2008Life with Derek S3, Johnny Test S2, Roll Play
2009Sticks and Stones, Fred's Head, How She Move, Instant Star
2010Dino Dan, How to be Indie, In Real Life, Jimmy Two Shoes, League of Super Evil
2011Wingin' It S2, dirtgirlworld, My Babysitter's a Vampire, Survive This S2, Wibbly Pig
2012My Babysitter's a Vampire S1, Justin Time, La Est La Question!, Stella and Sam S2, That's So Weird S3
2013Preschool: Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood, Bookaboo, Roll Play; Children 6-12: The Next Step, Almost Naked Animals S3, Rocket Monkeys; Youth 13-17: The Phantoms,, Blackbird
2014Preschool: Justin Time, Peg + Cat, Yup Yups; Children 6-12: Rocket Monkeys, Annedroids, Slugterra; Youth 13-17: If I Had Wings,, Unsung: Behind the Glee
2016Preschool: Kate & Mim Mim, Peg + Cat, The Moblees; Children 6-12: Slugterra, Bruno & Boots: Go Jump in the Pool, Snapshots; Youth 13-17: L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, Max & Shred, Snowtime

Winners

International Emmy Kids Awards

The is an annual event in February that recognizes the best in kids' programming around the world. The Shaw Rocket Fund was a presenting partner in 2013.

CRTC Filings