Holi Hana, the children’s animated series made in Wales, has been shortlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in television.
The pre-school children’s programme screened on S4C is the only Welsh language programme in the running at the Broadcast Awards 2009.
Presented by the British broadcasting trade magazine Broadcast, the awards recognise and reward excellence in programme-making. The shortlist for this year’s awards include top TV shows The Apprentice, Doctor Who, Gavin and Stacey, Strictly Come Dancing, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and Deal Or No Deal.
The series, which is made by Calon TV of Butetown, Cardiff, is nominated in the Best Children’s Programme category alongside Evacuation to the Manor House, Freefonix - Phantom of the Hip-Hopera, Hider in the House, Sorry, I've Got No Head and Summerhill, which are all screened on CBBC.
Past winners of the award include the CBBC favourites Balamory, My Life As A Popat, Charlie and Lola, BBC 1’s Tracy Beaker and Newsround and CITV’s My Parents Are Aliens.
Earlier this year Holi Hana won best animation awards at the Celtic Media Festival and Welsh BAFTAs. The animation has also been sold to around a dozen countries world-wide. Now in its second series, it’s aimed at pre-school children and features an agony aunt duck who helps young animals solve their emotional problems.
Broadcast’s acting editor Emily Booth, said: “The entries this year were of a very high standard, so our congratulations go to all the programmes on the shortlist.”
Robin Lyons, Managing Director of Calon TV said, “It’s great to be nominated, especially in such a broad category as Best Children’s Programme.
“Holi Hana is the only Welsh language programme to make the shortlist. It’s good to see her up there flying the flag for Wales with Doctor Who and Gavin and Stacey.”
Rhian Gibson, S4C’s Director of Commissioning, said, “Holi Hana has delighted young audiences across the world, and this latest accolade reinforces both S4C and Calon’s reputation for high-quality children’s animation.”
The winner will be announced at The Broadcast Awards, one of the most anticipated events in the UK broadcast industry’s calendar, at Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on January 21.
