Just like it did at last week’s Kidscreen Awards, Disney crushed it at the 2026 Children’s & Family Emmys. But since we have nominated the Mouse House for a Gold Star two weeks in a row already, it’s time they give somebody else a chance. So while Mickey & Co. enjoy their winning streak on the awards circuit, here are some other nominees that are equally deserving of Kidscreen’s Gold Star this week.

Animaj: The French studio is on a heavy-hitter partnership roll these days, and Google is the latest to get on board, committing a strategic equity investment and opening up access to some of its most advanced AI tools. Animaj says it has cracked the code on responsibly harnessing AI while still championing creatives and standing up against slop. (And you know you’re doing something right when Disney and Hasbro are paying attention and want in.) With Google’s backing, the studio can now turn around content even faster. An animated movie in 18 months? We wouldn’t bet against it.

Anthony Leo: Down an MD, Cartoon Saloon’s co-founders are simply too busy directing and pitching at markets to manage the business side of the company. So they turned to Anthony Leo, their longtime colleague from across the pond, to step in. The co-founder of Aircraft Pictures is relocating from the snowy tundra of Toronto to the just-as-cold cobbles of Kilkenny to take over as CEO. It seems like every time this studio releases a film, it gets nominated for an Oscar—here’s hoping Leo’s connections and industry expertise can take it to even greater heights.

Lightcatcher Media: What a great start for this young company! Lots of creators put their best and brightest ideas out on YouTube these days, hoping that someone—anyone—will see it and pick it up. But Vancouver’s Lightcatcher Media hit the jackpot with Disney, which has not only bought 10 existing episodes of digital series Little Margo Stories, but also pledging to develop another 50. It’s also the second broadcast deal in for the preschool series, after CBC and Radio-Canada came on board as commissioners earlier this year. We guess that’s what happens when you hire somebody with deep industry connections (Athena Georgaklis) to hype up your show—Lightcatcher certainly got its money’s worth.

Tiny Chef: This online culinarian might be pint-sized, but his fan love is anything but. The Tiny Chef Show had a fab night at this week’s Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, scoring three wins, including one for Outstanding Preschool Animated Series. It’s inspiring to see the Tiny Team keeping the Cheffy brand going so strong after Nickelodeon made its heartbreaking decision to axe his show. (Yes, we’re still mad about it!) Whether it’s squeezing into his best bluxedo for the Emmys or signing deals with IKEA, we love watching him cook! 

Yongsoo Kim: After setting up a series of big-time partnerships, the exec behind many of WEBTOON’s global expansion efforts has been rewarded. Now installed as president of WEBTOON Entertainment, Yongsoo Kim will continue to leverage the platform’s seemingly endless roster of vertical comics into new mediums, formats and products for its growing global audience. As CEO Junkoo Kim’s new point man, you’ll know who to thank as the platform keeps scrolling its way towards world domination.

So who had the best week in the bunch? Vote before 8 a.m. ET on Monday to let us know what you think:

Want to pitch us a Gold Star nomination? Send an email to submissions@kidscreen.com by noon on Thursdays. And check back every Friday for our next batch of nominees. Hope to see you on the list!