Brand new Israeli TV show “Remnants” from Kan Educational won the award for Best Live-Action Youth Series last night at the Rockie Awards, held as part of the BANFF World Media Festival in Alberta, Canada.
The show deals with grief, bereavement and the meaning of Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror. At its center is Rona, a withdrawn and cynical teenage girl whose older sister was murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7. She is angry, pushes away her parents and friends, and refuses help. Her mourning is raw and intense. But during preparations for her school’s Memorial Day ceremony, she meets Oren, whose father, an army officer, was killed when he was a child.
On the festival's official website, "Remnants" was introduced as "a groundbreaking children's drama that explores the aftermath of tragedy through the eyes of 14-year-old Rona, who is reeling from her sister's death in the October 7th terror attack. As her school prepares for Memorial Day, Rona grapples with grief and resentment, feeling her sister’s memory is being forced to fade. "
"Her unexpected friendship with Oren – who lost his father as a young child – leads them both on a journey to confront their pain and family struggles, ultimately seeking healing. "Remnants" is the first scripted series to address the events of October 7th, thoughtfully introducing themes of loss and bereavement to young audiences directly impacted by this national tragedy. Premiering on Israel’s first National Memorial Day since the attack, it offers a powerful space for children to explore and process their emotions."
The show also features veteran Israeli actress Michal Yannai, who plays Rona's mother, Tali. Yannai has been a children's entertainment star since the early 80s, but began her major breakthrough in the early 90s, hosting a children's show on Arutz Hayeladim (Israel's Kids' channel).
The series, produced by Ananey Studios under Paramount, was nominated in its category alongside Percy Jackson and the Olympians from Disney+, Phoenix Rise from the BBC, and other series from across Europe. “It’s not easy to approach such a complex and painful subject,” said Hila Pechter from Ananey Studios upon receiving the award. “We created this for the thousands of children who have joined the circle of bereavement.”
Hans Zimmer, famed German film score composer and music producer, received a Lifetime Achievement Honor at the festival.
