The four finalists are in the running for the US$40,000 Shaw Rocket Prize, which aims to recognize the year’s best Canadian TV youth- and family-targeted programming, were unveiled last night at KidScreen Summit.

Without further ado, the finalists are: Fred’s Head (Teletoon) from Spectra Animation, produced by Andre Belanger and Luc Chatelain; How She Move (TMN, Movie Central and CBC) from Sienna Film Productions VII, produced by Julia Sereny, Jennifer Kawaja and Brent Barclay; Instant Star, seasons three and four from Epitome Pictures (CTV), produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn; and Sticks and Stones (CTV) from Productions Hockey Ville, produced by Josee Vallee, Andre Beraud, Richard Speer, Timothy M. Hogan and Rick Le Guerrier.

An jury of international industry experts, including Adina Pitt, VP of content acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang; Bob Higgins, head of creative for Wildbrain; director of programming for Nickelodeon Australia Deirdre Brennan; and Geoffrey Goodwin, head of BBC Switch, narrowed down the field of contestants.

The grand prize winner is determined by students from the Royal Conservatory of Music’s innovative Learning Through The Arts program and will be announced in Toronto, Canada on May 6.