From a media release:
A WORLD OF WONDERS NOMINATED FOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Genuine Pictures Inc. of Ottawa is pleased to announce that its globetrotting, Gemini Award winning television series A WORLD OF WONDERS has been nominated for a 2011 Award of Excellence. Youth Media Alliance awards honour Canada’s top English-language children’s and youth programs.
In the nominated episode, “Rock, Paper and Scissors”, intern Cari travels to Laos. The episode is particularly poignant because it gives our young viewers a glimpse into non-profit organizations that are doing remarkable things to preserve the culture of this peaceful nation. Cari visits Ock Pop Tok, a cooperative that brings together weavers from Lao communities to share this art. Cari also makes mulberry paper, another tradition that would be lost without the effort of a family of artisans. Finally, she pays a visit to Big Brother Mouse, a place where children gather to read aloud. Books are rare in Laos; many children don’t have books outside of school. Their families can’t afford them.
A WORLD OF WONDERS is a children’s documentary series shot in HD that takes a fun approach to social studies, geography and history. Through travel and adventure, WOW brings to life the marvels and monuments that make our world unique. A forth season of the popular series premieres on TVOKids in September 2011.
A WORLD OF WONDERS was created and is executive produced by Donna Leon. She’s thrilled that the prestigious YMA has recognized the series. “This particular episode touched all of us. We were inspired by the efforts of the artisans who want to keep their ancient arts alive. And when we arrived at the book party on a sunny Saturday afternoon, we were astonished to see and hear so many children reading books aloud under the shady trees. Reading is something children in our part of the world take for granted, but to the Lao, it’s a rare opportunity to learn. They were all smiles, and so were we.”
A WORLD OF WONDERS airs in more than 25 countries on such networks as Al Jazeera Children’s, National Geographic, ABC Australia, TVB Hong Kong and Kuwait TV. It can also be seen in schools and libraries throughout Canada and the United States. WOW was nominated for a 2010 Gemini for Best Children’s or Youth Program or Series. It won the 2010 Gemini for Best Original Score, bringing the series Gemini nominations to five. A WORLD OF WONDERS was nominated in 2009 for an Alliance for Children’s Television Award of Excellence. The series is funded by TVOntario, the Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Genuine Pictures is an award-winning independent production company that has created more than 325 half hours of television in a variety of genres for Canadian and international broadcasters during the past 14 years.
The 2011 Awards of Excellence Gala will take place on June 2nd at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.
