PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL 2016 Preselection: Meet the Jurors
The deadline for submitting programmes into PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL 2016 was on 11 December 2015. We are excited that we can announce a record number of submissions: Almost 400 children’s and youth TV programmes from 60 countries have been entered into the six categories and will compete for the prestigious awards. The next step of preparations will be the tough preselection. From 15 to 20 January 2016 an international team of jurors, all oustanding children’s media professionals, will come together at the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation in Munich, to decide on the finalists.
Meet our Team of jurors
Jan-Willem Bult
Jan-Willem Bult is a multiple awarded international film and tv maker from the Netherlands. His productions in children’s media are known by his philosophy ‘Children in the Centre’ that is based on a strong belief in the autonomy of children and anarchy in content. His current positions are: Director of the Children in the Centre foundation (fka JWBfoundation); Head of Children, Youth & Media at Dutch NGO Free Press Unlimited; Chief Editor of ‘WADADA News for Kids’, the global cooperation network of tailor-made news for children and youth in currently 21 countries worldwide; Series Editor of the international drama shortfilm series ‘The Day I Became Strong’; Creative Producer of the international animation series ‘Pokkibonsi’. Bult just finished directing and producing a series of 4 short documentaries about 4 young entrepreneurs in 4 African countries: Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa. Before 2014 Jan-Willem Bult was the Creative Head of KRO Netherlands Public Broadcasting for 16 years in which he created and produced over 125 films, programs and series and was the head of several terrestrial and digital channels. His work has expanded now to over 65 countries in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia.
Jan-Willem Bult is a multiple awarded international film and tv maker from the Netherlands. His productions in children’s media are known by his philosophy ‘Children in the Centre’ that is based on a strong belief in the autonomy of children and anarchy in content. His current positions are: Director of the Children in the Centre foundation (fka JWBfoundation); Head of Children, Youth & Media at Dutch NGO Free Press Unlimited; Chief Editor of ‘WADADA News for Kids’, the global cooperation network of tailor-made news for children and youth in currently 21 countries worldwide; Series Editor of the international drama shortfilm series ‘The Day I Became Strong’; Creative Producer of the international animation series ‘Pokkibonsi’. Bult just finished directing and producing a series of 4 short documentaries about 4 young entrepreneurs in 4 African countries: Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa. Before 2014 Jan-Willem Bult was the Creative Head of KRO Netherlands Public Broadcasting for 16 years in which he created and produced over 125 films, programs and series and was the head of several terrestrial and digital channels. His work has expanded now to over 65 countries in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia.
Glynis Beukes-Kapa Executive Producer of Education | Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, Namibia
Glynis Beukes-Kapa graduated in Political Science and Art History at the University of Namibia. Then she moved to Johannesburg where she received an Honours degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in Art History. She joined NBC in 1996 where she received training in directing, script writing and producing, followed by in service training at Ice Media, in Johannesburg. She worked on various local film productions in Namibia, among them the Twentieth Century Fox film “Flight of the Phoenix”. Afterwards she was a Commissioner at the Namibian Film Commission until 2007. She started working at Clever Clogs Productions, shifting her focus from documentary making and films to children’s programmes. In 2009 she started at NBC as a documentary producer and in 2012 she had training with producers from SVT on Children’s multimedia programme production. This was followed by training from DW and the inclusion of Namibia into the east Africa group, “Young Africa Connect” who specifically looked at content exchange between the English speaking countries in the region. Currently she is Executive Producer of Education under the Content Hub for NBC.
Glynis Beukes-Kapa graduated in Political Science and Art History at the University of Namibia. Then she moved to Johannesburg where she received an Honours degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in Art History. She joined NBC in 1996 where she received training in directing, script writing and producing, followed by in service training at Ice Media, in Johannesburg. She worked on various local film productions in Namibia, among them the Twentieth Century Fox film “Flight of the Phoenix”. Afterwards she was a Commissioner at the Namibian Film Commission until 2007. She started working at Clever Clogs Productions, shifting her focus from documentary making and films to children’s programmes. In 2009 she started at NBC as a documentary producer and in 2012 she had training with producers from SVT on Children’s multimedia programme production. This was followed by training from DW and the inclusion of Namibia into the east Africa group, “Young Africa Connect” who specifically looked at content exchange between the English speaking countries in the region. Currently she is Executive Producer of Education under the Content Hub for NBC.
Alvaro Ceppi, Creative Director | Zumbastico Studios, Chile
Alvaro Ceppi is Creative Director and Partner of Zumbastico Studios, an animation and live action studio specialized in kids content, set in Santiago of Chile. Among his work are the shows “Block!”, “Achu”, “Horatio & The Plasticines” and “Zumbastico Fantastico”. Currently is directing and producing the stop-motion series “Paper Port” and his first feature film, “The Mango Brothers”.
Alvaro Ceppi is Creative Director and Partner of Zumbastico Studios, an animation and live action studio specialized in kids content, set in Santiago of Chile. Among his work are the shows “Block!”, “Achu”, “Horatio & The Plasticines” and “Zumbastico Fantastico”. Currently is directing and producing the stop-motion series “Paper Port” and his first feature film, “The Mango Brothers”.
Patricia Ellingson, Production Executive | Children’s Media Advisor | Consultant, Canada
In addition to numerous Gemini, Emmy, Canadian Screen and Youth Media Alliance awards for TVOKids’ original content Patricia Ellingson was awarded the Alliance for Children and Television’s 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award for her commitment to excellence in children’s programming. She has worked with some of the world’s most notable producers who share a commitment to the creation of innovative content. Over the past two decades, Patricia led the team that made TVO the most trusted media brand for children in Canada today. She was also responsible for the convergence of TVO’s new media and children’s television and rebuilt the tvokids.com website, one of the most popular kids’ online destinations in Canada. Patricia now works as a Children’s Media Advisor and remains committed to creating content that enriches the lives of young children.
In addition to numerous Gemini, Emmy, Canadian Screen and Youth Media Alliance awards for TVOKids’ original content Patricia Ellingson was awarded the Alliance for Children and Television’s 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award for her commitment to excellence in children’s programming. She has worked with some of the world’s most notable producers who share a commitment to the creation of innovative content. Over the past two decades, Patricia led the team that made TVO the most trusted media brand for children in Canada today. She was also responsible for the convergence of TVO’s new media and children’s television and rebuilt the tvokids.com website, one of the most popular kids’ online destinations in Canada. Patricia now works as a Children’s Media Advisor and remains committed to creating content that enriches the lives of young children.
Frederik Hansen / Producer and Partner at OK Monkey / Denmark
Frederik is passionate about producing high quality content for kids in a multi-platform world, always making sure that important stories and meaningful content ends up in the hands of the kids no matter what platform they use. Before starting OK Monkey, he was a producer and editor at DR (The Danish Broadcast Corporation) and was responsible for the development of many new children’s TV-formats and the very popular Danish children’s app, The Ramasjang App.
Frederik is passionate about producing high quality content for kids in a multi-platform world, always making sure that important stories and meaningful content ends up in the hands of the kids no matter what platform they use. Before starting OK Monkey, he was a producer and editor at DR (The Danish Broadcast Corporation) and was responsible for the development of many new children’s TV-formats and the very popular Danish children’s app, The Ramasjang App.
David Kleeman
Strategist, analyst, author, speaker, connector — David Kleeman has led the children’s media industry in developing sustainable, kid-friendly practices for more than 30 years. He began this work as president of the American Center for Children and Media and is now Senior VP of Global Trends for Dubit, a strategy/research consultancy and digital studio. David is also advisory board chair to PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL, and on Boards of the National Association for Media Literacy Education and Children’s Media Association.
Strategist, analyst, author, speaker, connector — David Kleeman has led the children’s media industry in developing sustainable, kid-friendly practices for more than 30 years. He began this work as president of the American Center for Children and Media and is now Senior VP of Global Trends for Dubit, a strategy/research consultancy and digital studio. David is also advisory board chair to PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL, and on Boards of the National Association for Media Literacy Education and Children’s Media Association.
Sandra Le Blanc-Marissal, Commissioning Editor at Children&Youth Entertainment | NDR, Germany
After obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Radio/TV/Film from California State University Northridge, Sandra Le Blanc-Marissal started working as junior producer for the German version of Sesame Street, then produced by Studio Hamburg Productions. In 1998 she switched to the editorial side of production and became commissioning editor at NDR broadcasting, Department for Youth & Family Entertainment, where she has developed and produced programs from Sesame Street to the Peppercorns, cooking shows and many international TV series (among them Blue Water High, Emma’s Chatroom, In Your Dreams (all with Australian co-partners), Limbo (with DR) and Trio (with NRK). A five year hiatus from 2005 to 2010 took her to Singapore, where she continued to work as a freelance producer for NDR – and certified museum docent at the Asian Civilizations Museum.
After obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Radio/TV/Film from California State University Northridge, Sandra Le Blanc-Marissal started working as junior producer for the German version of Sesame Street, then produced by Studio Hamburg Productions. In 1998 she switched to the editorial side of production and became commissioning editor at NDR broadcasting, Department for Youth & Family Entertainment, where she has developed and produced programs from Sesame Street to the Peppercorns, cooking shows and many international TV series (among them Blue Water High, Emma’s Chatroom, In Your Dreams (all with Australian co-partners), Limbo (with DR) and Trio (with NRK). A five year hiatus from 2005 to 2010 took her to Singapore, where she continued to work as a freelance producer for NDR – and certified museum docent at the Asian Civilizations Museum.
Roziah Naam, Principal Assistant Director Strategic Planning Section | Radio Television Malaysia, Malaysia
Roziah Naam has been in the industry for more than 15 years; specializing in documentary. Over the years, she has developed passion on children programmes and has been co-producing several programmes with international stations like NHK, KBS and a few ASEAN regional television stations. 2013 marked another progress in her career when she moves on to the Strategic Planning Section to chart, plan and strategize the content development for Radio Television Malaysia.
Roziah Naam has been in the industry for more than 15 years; specializing in documentary. Over the years, she has developed passion on children programmes and has been co-producing several programmes with international stations like NHK, KBS and a few ASEAN regional television stations. 2013 marked another progress in her career when she moves on to the Strategic Planning Section to chart, plan and strategize the content development for Radio Television Malaysia.
Bernadette O’Mahony, Head of Development and Production | Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Australia
Bernadette O’Mahony is Head of Development and Production at the Australian Children’s Television Foundation where she oversees development, production and international distribution. She is an experienced Producer of high quality, award winning Australian children’s television, producing live action drama series including Crash Zone, Legacy of the Silver Shadow, Round the Twist, Mortified, and The Worst Year of My Life, Again! Bernadette is also the Executive Producer of other award winning Australian series including Little Lunch, the teen dramas Ready for This and Dance Academy, the historical drama series My Place, Lockie Leonard and the sketch comedy series You’re Skitting Me, along with wildlife/adventure series Bushwhacked!
Bernadette O’Mahony is Head of Development and Production at the Australian Children’s Television Foundation where she oversees development, production and international distribution. She is an experienced Producer of high quality, award winning Australian children’s television, producing live action drama series including Crash Zone, Legacy of the Silver Shadow, Round the Twist, Mortified, and The Worst Year of My Life, Again! Bernadette is also the Executive Producer of other award winning Australian series including Little Lunch, the teen dramas Ready for This and Dance Academy, the historical drama series My Place, Lockie Leonard and the sketch comedy series You’re Skitting Me, along with wildlife/adventure series Bushwhacked!
Alison Stewart / Head of CBeebies Production / UK
Alison has worked in Children’s media production for most of her career, first at the BBC and later as a freelance Producer, Director, Scriptwriter and Lyricist. She later returned to the BBC as Executive Producer in CBeebies Production, and moved to her current position seven years ago. CBeebies is the BBC’s pre-school channel, making mixed genre content for children from 0 – 6 years. Alison leads an in house team which creates, develops and produces TV, online, mobile and radio content for the Channel, both for the UK audience and for the international market via co-productions.
Alison has worked in Children’s media production for most of her career, first at the BBC and later as a freelance Producer, Director, Scriptwriter and Lyricist. She later returned to the BBC as Executive Producer in CBeebies Production, and moved to her current position seven years ago. CBeebies is the BBC’s pre-school channel, making mixed genre content for children from 0 – 6 years. Alison leads an in house team which creates, develops and produces TV, online, mobile and radio content for the Channel, both for the UK audience and for the international market via co-productions.
Nils Stokke
Nils Stokke is founder and CEO of Spark, an indie production company based in Oslo. He has developed and is the producer of several award winning shows including “Bo Bear” and “King of Gulset”. Nils started his career at the entertainment department at NRK and was announced head of NRK Children (NRK Super) in 2009, a position he held for four years. He holds an MBA from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH) and an MA in Media Studies from New York University.
Nils Stokke is founder and CEO of Spark, an indie production company based in Oslo. He has developed and is the producer of several award winning shows including “Bo Bear” and “King of Gulset”. Nils started his career at the entertainment department at NRK and was announced head of NRK Children (NRK Super) in 2009, a position he held for four years. He holds an MBA from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH) and an MA in Media Studies from New York University.
Metka Dedakovic, Producer | RTVSLO, Slovenia
Metka graduated as a dramaturge at the Academy for Theater, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana in 1982. She started her TV career at Slovenian PBS (ex Yugoslavian studio), working first as dramaturge, then as an editor and finally as producer in the Drama Department. From there she joined the Children and Youth Department and was its Head from 2009 till 2012. After that Metka worked as a program producer, researcher, analyst, and a dramaturge for multimedia and new formats in TV SLO Developement Department, and is currently head of foreign animation in Children and Youth Department. From 1996 to 2000 Metka was a board member of CIFEJ board of directors. Since September 2013 she is vice-chairperson of the Eurovision Children and Youth Group . Metka was a jury member at various festivals, such as the Golden Chest, the Prix Danube-TV, or the Lucas Film Festival.
Metka graduated as a dramaturge at the Academy for Theater, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana in 1982. She started her TV career at Slovenian PBS (ex Yugoslavian studio), working first as dramaturge, then as an editor and finally as producer in the Drama Department. From there she joined the Children and Youth Department and was its Head from 2009 till 2012. After that Metka worked as a program producer, researcher, analyst, and a dramaturge for multimedia and new formats in TV SLO Developement Department, and is currently head of foreign animation in Children and Youth Department. From 1996 to 2000 Metka was a board member of CIFEJ board of directors. Since September 2013 she is vice-chairperson of the Eurovision Children and Youth Group . Metka was a jury member at various festivals, such as the Golden Chest, the Prix Danube-TV, or the Lucas Film Festival.
PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL 2016 Preselection: Meet the Jurors