‘Justin Time,’ ‘Rocket Monkeys’ among $25,000 Shaw Rocket Prize winners

OTTAWA – The Canadian children’s programs “Justin Time,” “Rocket Monkeys” and “If I Had Wings” have each won a $25,000 Shaw Rocket Prize.

The award is presented each year to top independently produced shows in three age categories.

From Toronto production company Guru Studio, “Justin Time” — about the adventures of Justin, Olive and Squidgy — won in the 0-to-5 age group category.

“Rocket Monkeys” (Toronto’s Breakthrough Entertainment) picked up the award in the age six to 12 category. It features brothers Gus and Wally, along with their friend YAY-OK, carrying out a series of missions.

In the age 13-17 category, the winner was “If I Had Wings,” by Vancouver’s Really Real Films. It’s about a blind teen who dreams of running for his schools cross-country team.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of industry experts, and then children from across the country voted for the winners.

The Shaw Rocket Fund is not-for-profit production fund backed by Shaw Communications, Shaw Pay Per View, a division of the Shaw Cablesystems, and Shaw Direct.