We are delighted to share that Lu & The Bally Bunch (9 Story Media Group, Brown Bag Films) is nominated in the Animation: Preschool category at this year's Rockie Awards! With a 45-year legacy, the prestigious Rockie Awards International Program Competition recognizes excellence in global television and digital content. Entries from more than 45 countries compete each year, and winners are selected by an international industry jury of 150+ senior entertainment and media professionals. 

Lu & The Bally Bunch was nominated in the Animation: Preschool category, going up against Kiri and Lou (Stretchy, NZ On Air, Sky Originals NZ), Tabby McTat (Magic Light Pictures), The Adventures of Paddington (Studio Canal, Nick Jr, Heyday, Blue Zoo, Superprod), and The Tiny Chef Show (Imagine Entertainment, Tiny Chef Productions, Nickelodeon Productions).

Produced by 9 Story Media Group and our Brown Bag Films studios in Dublin and Toronto, Lu & The Bally Bunch was created and directed by Brown Bag Films’ director Nicky Phelan (Vampirina, Bing, Octonauts), Oscar®-nominated for his short film Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty. Together they explore their brand new social lives though play, music, big feelings and even bigger fun.The series, which was inspired by Nicky’s mother’s experience running a preschool, celebrates the messy reality of preschool and explores the everyday dramas of first friendships. Lu & The Bally Bunch is a funny and affectionate look at Lu and her friends as they learn to get along. Featuring original songs and grounded in a curriculum of preschool empowerment, stories are rooted in authentic interactions and experiences, inspired by conversations with preschoolers, their parents and teachers.

Anothershout out goes to our 9 Story Family, who along with sharing in our Lu & The Bally Bunch celebration, also recevied nominations for their live action series A Kind of Spark (9 Story Media Group, BBC, BYUtv) nominated in the Live Action: Youth category and for the game Rosie’s Rules: Rosie’s Flop Fiesta (9 Story Media Group, PBS KIDS, Curious Media) nominated in the Interactive Children and Youth Content category. Rosie's Flop Fiesta is based on the 9 Story series Rosie's Rules, which is animated by Brown Bag Films Toronto.

A huge congratulations to our Lu & The Bally Bunch crew and partners at PBS KIDS and to everyone involved in bringing this series to life. Finally, we would also like to extend a warm round of applause to all this year’s Rockie Awards nominees.

The 2024 Rockie Awards category winners, including the Grand Jury Prize will be announced at a ceremony that will be presented at the Banff World Media Festival in June 2024.

To see the full list of 2024 Rockie Awards nominees click here.