Childrens & Family Emmys 2023 Nominees Announced, as NATAS Works Out Ceremony Plans (FULL L

March 2024 · 12 minute read

As the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences continues to figure out how and when to finally hold this year’s Daytime Emmys — delayed in June due to the WGA strike — it has gone ahead and announced the nominations for this year’s 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmys.

There’s no date yet for this year’s Chidren’s & Family Emmys — NATAS is likely waiting for a hopeful soon resolution to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike before firming up dates. But last year, winners were announced during two ceremonies—one focused on creative and technical arts, and the other to performances and programming—at Wilshire Ebell Theatre on December 10 and 11. This year’s CAFE will likely be held around the same time — and NATAS could very well use that timeframe to simultaneously finally hold the Daytime Emmys as well.

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In announcing this year’s nominees, NATAS also supplied a disclaimer about the strike: “The majority of programs recognized in the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards competition were produced under SAG-AFTRA agreements not subject to the current strike. However, some nominated programs remain struck. NATAS salutes the nominated performances of those SAG-AFTRA members who appeared in these programs but reminds nominees that it is a violation of the strike rules for SAG-AFTRA members to promote or publicize their nominations for struck work. 

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“SAG-AFTRA members are strongly advised to observe the strike rules at all times. NATAS is announcing the nominations today in hopes a fair deal will be reached prior to the awards ceremonies. The events themselves are produced under separate non-dramatic agreements that are not subject to the strike order. NATAS will modify ceremony formats as needed to respect any remaining strike obligations of guild members.”

NATAS also noted that nominees in one category judged in person — Interactive Media — will be announced later this month, as will honorees in two juried categories: Individual Achievement in Animation and the newly-created Public Service Initiative.

“Programming created for children’s and family viewing has a long history of leading the way in innovation and storytelling,” said Brent Stanton, NATAS head of Daytime and Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. “In this year specifically, a year so impacted by artists fighting for fair recognition of their true value, it is more important than ever to honor the excellence of their talents and achievements,” he said.

Earlier this year the org created two new Emmy categories for puppetry performance and puppet design/styling. Both awards will be handed out at this year’s second-ever Children’s & Family Emmys. The Children’s & Family Emmys also added a public service initiative Emmy for campaigns that include both an on-air and off-air component.

“We are very proud of the growth experienced in year two of the Children’s and Family Emmys, especially in the development and cultivation of the new categories dedicated to puppetry,” said Rachel Schwartz, NATAS’ director of Daytime and Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. 

Here are the 2023 nominees for Children’s & Family Emmys:

PRESCHOOL SERIES
Blue’s Clues & You! (Nickelodeon)
Helpsters (Apple TV+)
Sesame Street (HBO Max)
Slumberkins (Apple TV+)
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant  (Netflix)

CHILDREN’S OR FAMILY VIEWING SERIES
Are You Afraid of the Dark (Nickelodeon)
Best Foot Forward (Apple TV+)
Jane (Apple TV+)
Malory Towers    (BYUtv)
The Muppets Mayhem  (Disney+)

YOUNG TEEN SERIES
The Crossover (Disney+)
Ghostwriter (Apple TV+)
High School Musical: The Musical – The Series (Disney+)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)
XO, Kitty  (Netflix)

FICTION SPECIAL
Chang Can Dunk (Disney+)
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – Night of the Lights (Apple TV+)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special  (Disney+)       
Ivy and Bean: Doomed to Dance  (Netflix)
Prom Pact (Disney Channel)

NON-FICTION PROGRAM
1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed (HBO/Max)
All-Round Champion (BYUtv)
Mamas  (Roku)
NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition  (NBC)
Nick News (Nickelodeon)

PRESCHOOL ANIMATED SERIES
The Adventures of Paddington (Nick Jr.)
Spirit Rangers (Netflix)
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures  (Disney+)
StoryBots: Answer Time (Netflix)
The Tiny Chef Show (Nickelodeon)

CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN ANIMATED SERIES
Baymax! (Disney+)
Big City Greens (Disney Channel)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)
ONI: Thunder God’s Tale (Netflix)
Zootopia+ (Disney+)

ANIMATED SPECIAL
Looney Tunes Cartoons: “Bugs Bunny’s Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacular” (HBO Max)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: “Moon Girl Landing” (Disney Channel)
Reindeer in Here (CBS)
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (Netflix)
Snoopy Presents: Lucy’s School  (Apple TV+)
The Wonderful Summer of Mickey Mouse  (Disney+)

SHORT FORM PROGRAM
The Big Gathering (PBS Kids)
I Am Groot (Disney+)
Sesame Street: Wes’ First Barbershop Haircut (YouTube)
Sesame Street’s #ComingTogether Word of the Day Series  (YouTube)
Storyline Online (YouTube)  

LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Tim Allen as Scott Calvin/Santa, “The Santa Clauses” (Disney+)
Ella Bright as Darrell Rivers, “Malory Towers” (BYUtv)
Veda Cienfuegos as Emily, “Circuit Breakers” (Apple TV+)
Tony Hale as Mr. Benedict, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” (Disney+)
Gina Rodriguez as Momma, “Lost Ollie” (Netflix)

SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Adeel Akhtar as Dr. Aditya Singh, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Nonso Anozie as Tommy Jepperd, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Kal Penn as Simon Choksi/Santa, “The Santa Clauses” (Disney+)
Neil Sandilands as General Abbot, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Catherine Zeta-Jones as Billie Pearce, “National Treasure: Edge of History” (Disney+)

YOUNGER PERFORMER IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Mykal-Michelle Harris as Alice Baxter, “Raven’s Home” (Disney Channel)
Marta Kessler as Constance Contraire, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” (Disney+)
Matilda Lawler as Betty, “The Santa Clauses” (Disney+)
Rupali Redd as Grace, “The Santa Clauses” (Disney+)       

PUPPETRY PERFORMANCE
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby & Tango, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Frankie Cordero as Purple Panda, Penguin Referee & Gregory, “Donkey Hodie” (PBS Kids)
Ryan Dillon as Elmo, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Haley Jenkins as Donkey Hodie, “Donkey Hodie” (PBS Kids)
Eric Jacobson as Bert, Oscar & Grover, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Eric Jacobson as Animal/Baby Animal, “The Muppets Mayhem” (Disney+)

VOICE PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Eric Bauza as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck,Tweety Bird & Marvin the Martian, “Bugs Bunny Builders” (Cartoon Network)
Erin Fitzgerald as Bo, Eleanor Smartypants, Story StoryBerg, Ranger Dot, Oog the CaveBot & Fun Fact Hairdresser, “StoryBots: Answer Time” (Netflix)
James Monroe Iglehart as Mr. Puppypaws/Announcer, “Superkitties” (Disney Junior)
Cree Summer as Lizard & DeeDee, “Spirit Rangers” (Netflix)
Fred Tatasciore as Bang, BlimBlam the Barbarian & Chef Pierre, “StoryBots: Answer Time” (Netflix)

VOICE PERFORMANCE IN A CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Bob Bergen as Porky Pig, “Looney Tunes Cartoons” (HBO Max)
Jack Black as Po, “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight” (Netflix)
Laurence Fishburne as The Beyonder, “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney Channel)
Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, “SpongeBob SquarePants” (Nickelodeon)
Rob Paulsen as Pinky, Dr. Scratchansniff & Yakko, “Animaniacs” (Hulu)

YOUNGER VOICE PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Talon Proc Alford as Eddy Skycedar, Spirit Rangers” (Netflix)
Juliet Donenfeld as Piper, “Interrupting Chicken” (Apple TV+)
Maria Nash as Pinecone, “Pinecone & Pony” (Apple TV+)
Melissa Povenmire as Gretel, “Hamster & Gretel” (Disney Channel)
Isis Celilo Rogers as Summer Skycedar, “Spirit Rangers” (Netflix)
Momona Tamada as Onari, “ONI: Thunder God’s Tale” (Netflix)

HOST
Valerie Bertinelli & Duff Goldman, “Kids Baking Championship” (Food Network)
Tabitha Brown, “Tab Time” (YouTube Originals)
Emmanuel Carter, “Noggin Knows” (Noggin)
Taylor Cassidy, Benjamin de Almedia, Kahlil Greene, Tejas Hullur, Jane McManus & Jillian Smith, “Nick News” (Nickelodeon)
Juanpa Zurita, “Elmo’s Mindfulness Spectacular!” (YouTube)

WRITING FOR A PRESCHOOL OR CHILDREN’S LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Helpsters (Apple TV+)
Jane (Apple TV+)
Lost Ollie (Netflix)
Raven’s Home (Disney Channel)
Sesame Street (HBO Max)

WRITING FOR A YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Chang Can Dunk (Disney+)
The Crossover (Disney+)
Growing Up (Disney+)
Life by Ella (Apple TV+)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)

WRITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
The Adventures of Paddington (Nick Jr.)
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS Kids)
Interrupting Chicken (Apple TV+)
Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)
StoryBots: Answer Time (Netflix)
The Tiny Chef Show (Nickelodeon)

WRITING FOR AN ANIMATED CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Baymax! (Disney+)
Craig of the Creek (Cartoon Network)
Karma’s World (Netflix)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)
My Dad the Bounty Hunter (Netflix)

DIRECTING FOR A SINGLE CAMERA PROGRAM
Circuit Breakers (Apple TV+)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday  (Disney+)
Lost Ollie (Netflix)
The Muppets Mayhem  (Disney+)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)

DIRECTING FOR A MULTIPLE CAMERA PROGRAM
Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show (Apple TV+)
Kids’ Choice Awards 2023 (Nickelodeon)
Raven’s Home  (Disney Channel)
Sesame Street (HBO Max)

DIRECTING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)
The Adventures of Paddington (Nick Jr.)
Mickey Saves Christmas (Disney Channel)
Spirit Rangers  (Netflix)
The Tiny Chef Show (Nickelodeon)

DIRECTING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Baymax! (Disney+)
The Cuphead Show!  (Netflix)
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (Netflix)
ONI: Thunder God’s Tale (Netflix)
Zootopia+ (Disney+)

VOICE DIRECTING FOR AN ANIMATED SERIES
Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)
The Ghost and Molly McGee  (Disney Channel)
Kiff  (Disney Channel)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)
Spirit Rangers  (Netflix)

MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Disney+)
Ivy and Bean The Ghost Who Had to Go  (Netflix)
Lost Ollie  (Netflix)
Monster High: The Movie (Nickelodeon)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)

MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Animaniacs (Hulu)
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (Netflix)
Looney Tunes Cartoons (Max)
Star Wars: Young Jedi (Disney+)
Tom and Jerry: Cowboy Up! (Cartoon Network/HBO Max)

ORIGINAL SONG FOR A PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
“The City of Brotherly Love,” Jam Van (YouTube Kids)
“Community is Everything,” Sesame Street (HBO Max)
“The Hat Makes The Hatter,” Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (Disney Junior)
“One Big Family,” Mira, Royal Detective (Disney Junior)
“One Sacred Thing,” Jam Van (YouTub Kids)

ORIGINAL SONG FOR A CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
“Coming Out of the Dark,” Monster High: The Movie  (Nickelodeon)        
“Finally Free,” High School Musical: The Musical – The Series (Disney+)
“Roll the Dice,” The Cuphead Show! (Netflix)
“These Kids,” Snow Day (Nickelodeon)
“You Never Know,” High School Musical: The Musical – The Series (Disney+)

MAIN TITLE
Kiff (Disney Channel)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur  (Disney Channel)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)
National Treasure: Edge of History   (Disney+)
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures  (Disney+)
Superkitties  (Disney Junior)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A SINGLE CAMERA LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Jane (Apple TV+)
Lost Ollie  (Netflix)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)
The Santa Clauses   (Disney+)
Sweet Tooth   (Netflix)
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant (Netflix)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A MULTIPLE CAMERA LIVEACTION PROGRAM
Family Reunion (Netflix)
Raven’s Home (Disney Channel)
The Villains of Valley View  (Disney Channel)

EDITING FOR A SINGLE CAMERA LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Lost Ollie (Netflix)
The Muppets Mayhem (Disney+)
National Treasure: Edge of History (Disney+)
Sweet Tooth (Netflix)
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant  (Netflix)

EDITING FOR A MULTIPLE CAMERA LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Erin & Aaron (Nickelodeon)
Family Reunion (Netflix)
Nick News (Nickelodeon)
Sesame Street (HBO Max)
That Girl Lay Lay  (Nickelodeon)
Young Dylan (Nickelodeon)

EDITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)
Frog and Toad (Apple TV+)
Get Rolling With Otis (Apple TV+)
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (Disney+)
StoryBots: Answer Time (Netflix)

EDITING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Baymax! (Disney+)
Cars on the Road (Disney+)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)
My Dad the Bounty Hunter (Netflix)
Reindeer in Here (CBS)
The Wonderful Summer of Mickey Mouse (Disney+)
Zootopia+ (Disney+)

SOUND MIXING AND SOUND EDITING FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Are You Afraid of the Dark (Nickelodeon)
Freeridge  (Netflix)
Lost Ollie  (Netflix)
Monster High: The Movie (Nickelodeon)
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant (Netflix)
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3  (Disney+)

SOUND MIXING AND SOUND EDITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Let’s Go Luna! (PBS Kids)
Ridley Jones  (Netflix)
Santiago of the Seas  (Nickelodeon)
Sesame Street: The Nutcracker, Starring Elmo and Tango  (HBO Max)
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures        (Disney+)

SOUND MIXING AND SOUND EDITING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (Warner Bros.)
I Am Groot (Disney+)
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (Netflix)
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)
Star Trek: Prodigy (Nickelodeon)

LIGHTING, CAMERA AND TECHNICAL ARTS
Jane (Apple TV+)
Lost Ollie (Netflix)
Malory Towers (BYUtv)
Sweet Tooth (Netflix)
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant (Netflix)

VISUAL EFFECTS FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Circuit Breakers (Apple TV+)
Jane (Apple TV+)
Lost Ollie  (Netflix)
Shape Island  (Apple TV+)
Sweet Tooth (Netflix)

CASTING FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
All-Round Champion (BYUtv)
Best Foot Forward (Apple TV+)
High School Musical: The Musical – The Series (Disney+)
A Kind of Spark  (BYUtv)
Monster High: The Movie     (Nickelodeon)
The Muppets Mayhem (Disney+)
Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion  (Disney Channel)

CASTING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Big City Greens  (Disney Channel)
Eureka!  (Disney Junior)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Spirit Rangers  (Netflix)

ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special  (Disney+)
Lost Ollie (Netflix)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+)
The Santa Clauses  (Disney+)
Sweet Tooth  (Netflix)

COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special  (Disney+)
Helpsters (Apple TV+)
High School Musical: The Musical – The Series  (Disney+)
Malory Towers (BYUtv)
Raven’s Home (Disney Channel)
Sweet Tooth (Netflix)

HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Disney+)
Monster High: The Movie (Nickelodeon)
Odd Squad   (PBS Kids)
The Santa Clauses   (Disney+)
Sweet Tooth  (Netflix)

PUPPET DESIGN AND STYLING
Donkey Hodie (PBS Kids)
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – Night of the Lights  (Apple TV+)
Helpsters (Apple TV+)
The Muppets Mayhem (Disney+)
Sesame Street (HBO Max)

STUNT COORDINATION FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Danger Force  (Nickelodeon)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday (Disney+)
The Really Loud House (Nickelodeon)
Sweet Tooth (Netflix)
Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion  (Disney Channel)
The Villains of Valley View (Disney Channel)

CHOREOGRAPHY
Blue’s Big City Adventure (Nickelodeon)
Bunk’d  (Disney Channel)
Snow Day (Nickelodeon)
High School Musical: The Musical – The Series  (Disney+)
Monster High: The Movie (Nickelodeon)

PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous: “Season 5 Campaign”  (Netflix)
Nickelodeon Brand Campaign: “Quarter,” “Car,” “We Make Fun” (Nickelodeon)
PBS Kids: “Brand IDs”  (PBS Kids)
 

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