Toronto-based Shaftesbury Films‘ youth comedy series Life with Derek last week was awarded this year’s Shaw  Rocket Prize. Shaftesbury Films will divide the award’s $50,000 purse between the Canadian Film Centre, to be used on a kids’ TV writing and producing intern program; PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), a coalition of Canadians concerned about bullying; and Life with Derek creator Daphne Ballon. Life with Derek airs on Family in Canada, and has also been translated into 19 languages and airs in more than 115 countries worldwide. "We are thrilled that Life with Derek has been awarded the Shaw Rocket Prize and congratulate Christina and her team on this achievement," said Kevin Wright, senior VP of programming, Astral Television Networks. "This smart and entertaining series continues to rank as one of the most popular on Family Channel and we are proud of the series’ ongoing success both here in Canada and around the world."

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