L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables wins $25K Shaw Rocket Prize

L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, the TV movie based on the iconic story of red-headed orphan Anne Shirley's adventures in Prince Edward Island, has won the $25,000 Shaw Rocket Prize, which celebrates television for young viewers.

The program, produced by Toronto's Breakthrough Entertainment, won in the Youth/Family (ages 13-17) category. A made-in-Canada production, it aired on YTV. 

The other 2016 Shaw Rocket Prize recipients, who each also receive $25,000, are:

For preschool (ages 5 and under): Kate and Min Min, an animated series by Halifax-based DHX Media about a feisty five-year-old, her toy bunny best friend and their adventures in a fantasy world. It airs on Family Jr.

For children (ages 6-12): Slugterra, an animated series, also produced by Halifax-based DHX Media, about a 15-year-old named Eli Shane who wants to become the greatest slug-slinging hero of Slugterra. It airs on the Family Channel.

All three winners were celebrated at a gala in Ottawa Wednesday evening.

The Shaw Rocket Prize is presented annually to Canadian children's youth and family TV programs and associated digital content. Finalists for each category are selected by an international jury of industry experts. After that, a jury of children from across Canada vote online for their favourites.

Although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who also serves as minister of youth, and his wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau were unable to attend the awards ceremony, they sent their congratulations via video. 

"Today's finalists reflect everything we look for in quality children's programming and, best of all, they're made right here in Canada," Trudeau said.