Breaking news, everyone! We're beyond excited to announce that Karma’s World, our game-changing animated series, has been selected as a Finalist for the 2023 Japan Prize in the Primary Division (Audiovisual Works) category. This is an awesome recognition for the series produced by 9 Story Media Group and Karma's World Entertainment, and animated by our Brown Bag Films crew, out of our Dublin studio. Being selected as a finalist for the 2023 Japan Prize marks a fantastic accomplishment for our captivating series and serves as a testament to the exceptional efforts of our team in crafting the show's authentic narratives, immersive universe, compelling characters, and catchy soundtrack.

The Japan Prize is an internationally renowned competition that recognizes outstanding educational content across various media platforms, including television, radio, and online. Since its inception in 1965, the Japan Prize has been a symbol of excellence in educational broadcasting, celebrating content that fosters learning, innovation, and cultural understanding among audiences of all ages.

This year, ‘Winston’s Worries’ episode five from season two of Karma’s World was recognized as a Finalist for Audiovisual Works in the Primary Division, along with six other exceptional series, including Jasmin’s Two Homes (napafilms Oy), Architect A (AniSEED, VCRWORKS Inc.), Guillermina & Candelario My first moon (Fosfenos Media, Senal Colombia –RTVC), Pebble Hill (Wasia), All-Round Champion Climbing (marblemedia), and Timmyland The Law And The Prime Minister (VPRO). In ‘Winston’s Worries,’ Winston’s determined to make his abuelita’s birthday special but gets overwhelmed while trying to film a tribute video. The Primary Division of the Japan Prize is specifically focused on content designed for younger learners, within the age range of 6 to 12. It serves as a platform for recognizing educational programs that engage, inspire, and educate young minds in meaningful ways. Being selected as a finalist in this division is an incredible honor and a testament to the quality and impact of our series on the minds of young viewers.

Karma’s World, which premiered on Netflix in 2021, is an animated series produced in partnership with 9 Story’s Emmy Award-winning Creative Affairs Group as well as Karma’s World Entertainment, Chris Bridges’s production company and animated by our award-winning studio Brown Bag Films. Created by Alison McDonald and Halcyon Person, and directed by Brown Bag Films very own Bronagh O'Hanlon, the series follows Karma Grant, an aspiring musical artist and rapper with big talent and an even bigger heart. Smart, resilient, and deeply empathetic, Karma pours her soul into songwriting, channeling her feelings into whip-smart rhymes with passion, courage and her signature brand of humor. In this series, Karma is only beginning to grasp the incredible emotional power that words and music can have. She doesn’t just want to share her music with the world…she wants to change the world with it!

One of the goals of Karma’s World was to create a series for kids that celebrates diversity, breaks down stereotypes and promotes inclusion and acceptance. It is a tremendous honour to see the series included amongst the many talented 2023 Japan Prize finalists, a list of series that display an unwavering commitment to telling both inspiring and educational stories that are certain to leave a lasting impact on young minds.

We want to extend a big congratulations to Chris Bridges, our 9 Story Family, our entire Karma’s World team and to our partners at Netflix! We are so proud of all the amazing things our team has achieved bringing this series to life and will keep our fingers crossed for our always inspiring Karma when the prize winners are revealed. 

This year the Japan Prize received 391 entries for Audiovisual Works and Proposal Pitches from 55 countries and regions in the world. The organizers will be announcing the Best Work and Award of Honor for each division and the Special Prize on October 3rd in advance of the Japan Prize Festival Week, which runs from November 20-23. Winners will be invited to Tokyo to present their works at the festival screenings. The Grand Prix Japan Prize and the winners of the Proposal Pitch will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on November 23, 2023.

Learn more about this year’s Japan Prize and finalists here.

You can stream all 4 seasons of Karma’s World now on Netflix!