The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards nominations are out and Apartment 11 and Avenida Productions’ live-action dramedy series The Unstoppable Jenny Garcia (pictured) is a clear leader when it comes to the kids categories.

The CSAs celebrate Canadian talent in film, TV and digital media. First presented in 2013, they have become one of the Canadian industry’s most prestigious awards, similar to the BAFTAs in the UK. 

This year’s ceremony is scheduled for May 31 in Toronto, and teams from Apartment 11 and Avenida will be hoping to turn seven nominations for Jenny Garcia into gold in categories including Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series and Best Writing (Children’s or Youth). The CBC commissioned this eight x 12-minute series, which focuses on a 13-year-old hip-hop dancer whose life changes drastically when she’s diagnosed with cancer. It’s adapted from Avenida’s French-language series Jenny. 

Apartment 11 is in development on a second season with CBC now, Mindy Laxer, the studio’s SVP and co-executive producer, revealed to Kidscreen. “We’re thrilled and we appreciate the recognition,” she says, noting how wonderful it is that the show is being recognized across multiple categories, including writing and its cast. Season two is expected to focus on Jenny, now in remission, figuring out how to return to her life and friends. 

Other nominees in the Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series field are: Gangnam Project (Pillango Productions), The Next Step (Boat Rocker Studios) and Odd Squad (Sinking Ship). 

9 Story and Brown Bag Films’ Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum (TVOKids and PBS KIDS) and Boat Rocker’s The Next Step (YTV) also earned multiple nominations, with five each. 

This year’s Best Pre-School Program or Series nominees are: Bestest Day Ever with My Best Friend (Lopii Productions), Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood (9 Story), Let’s Go, Bananas! (9 Story), Mittens & Pants (Windy Isle Entertainment) and Rubble & Crew (Spin Master). 

Although it’s not limited to kids content, all but one nominee (Atomic Cartoons’ Super Team Canada) in the Best Animated Program or Series category was for children. Rounding out the shortlist are: Lana Longbeard (Copernicus), Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (WildBrain), Unicorn Academy (Spin Master) and Wild Kratts (9 Story and The Kratt Brothers Company). 

There are also awards in children’s categories for best writing, direction, editing and performing. A full list of nominees is available on the CSA website. 

Image courtesy of Apartment 11. 

Updated 1:18 p.m. ET with the never-before-released info that Apartment 11 is in development on season two of The Unstoppable Jenny Garcia with CBC.