TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ –

What: The first recipient of the $50,000 Shaw Rocket Prize for the best
independently produced Canadian children’s television program
will be awarded on May 25 in Toronto. The four finalists for the
prize – which were selected by an independent jury of
international leaders in children’s television – are:

– Degrassi: The Next Generation – Produced by Epitome Pictures
Inc., Toronto
– Franny’s Feet – Produced by Decode Entertainment Inc., Toronto
– Poko – Produced by Halifax Film Company, Halifax
– Shoebox Zoo – Produced by Shoebox Productions Inc., Calgary

When: May 25, 2005
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Winners’ announcement: 7:45 p.m.)

Location: Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street

Participants: Cast members from the program
JR Shaw, Executive Chair, Shaw Communications
Jim Shaw, CEO, Shaw Communications
Annabel Slaight, Chair, Shaw Rocket Fund
Student representatives from the Student Jury
Executive members of the Canadian television industry;
winner will be available for interviews

More Info: Close to 400 students in grades seven through nine,
participating in the Royal Conservatory of Music’s
Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) program in public schools
across Canada, reviewed the finalists’ programs and voted
independently for the $50,000 winner on a dedicated,
secure website.

For Shaw Rocket Prize information, visit http://www.rocketfund.ca

For further information: Jennifer Kitchen or Kristen Rector, JKR
Communications, Tel: (416) 576-5892 or (416) 486-2286 – Email:
jkitchen@jkr.ca or krector@jkr.ca