New Zealand family mystery-thriller Kaitangata Twitch, which screened on Maori Television this year has been selected as a finalist at the Kidscreen Awards in the Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series Family Category. The winners will be announced at a high-profile presentation in New York on 17^th February 2011 at Kidscreen Summit.

“We are very excited about this nomination,” says Producer Yvonne Mackay of Wellington, NZ’s ProductionShed.TV.  “Kidscreen Summit is renowned for being one of the kids’ entertainment industry’s most important annual events.”

The highly-respected judges have selected the best programming in the world market for kids and families.  These are currently being reviewed and their scores will determine the final winners.  Special categories have also been introduced this year to single out and celebrate outstanding efforts in kids’ broadcasting - Viewers Choice and Creative Talent.  For Viewers Choice, an audience from seven different countries picks their favourite programs from the short-listed entries. While the Creative Talent Awards will be given to entries that receive the highest average score for the following components: Best Animation; Best Acting; Best Writing; Best Directing; Best Design; Best Voice Talent; Best Music.

Kaitangata Twitch is a thirteen part, half hour drama, based on the novel by internationally renowned author Margaret Mahy about 13 year old, Meredith, and her connection to a mysterious island, Kaitangata where a young girl vanished fifty years previously.  The series has already received Platinum, the top award, at the Houston World Fest; was a finalist at the esteemed Prix Jeunesse festival in Germany and was nominated for eight Qantas Film & Television Awards in New Zealand, winning three - Best Actor for George Henare; Best Production Design (Gary Mackay) and Best Sound Design (Steve Finnigan, James Hayday & Tom Miskin).

The latest Margaret Mahy projects in development by ProductionShed.Tv include a ghost and technology tween drama series and a DVD for the family home market of Mahy reading some of her favourite magical poems and stories.