Aly Jetha
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Aly Jetha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Zambia |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia, Berkeley Law School |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, lawyer, consultant |
| Known for | Big Bad Boo |
| Spouse | Shabnam Rezaei |
Aly Jetha is an award-winning children's television creator, producer, director and writer, as well as co-founder and CEO of Big Bad Boo Studios and Oznoz.com, a multilingual educational VOD service for children.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Jetha was born in Zambia and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1974. He grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he graduated from St. George's School. In 1992, Jetha earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of British Columbia in 1992. After working for the United Nations and representing Canada at Parliamentarians for Global Action, he pursued legal studies and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Berkeley Law School at the University of California, specialising in corporate and international law.[2]
Career
[edit]After graduating from law school, Jetha became a member of the California Bar and worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company. He later shifted into entrepreneurship, founding four companies in industries such as semiconductors and telecommunications.[3]
In 2006, Jetha co-founded Norooz Productions with his wife, Shabnam Rezaei,[4] which later evolved into Big Bad Boo in 2007. The studio specializes in creating multicultural children's content, using entertainment to teach culture and language.[5]
Jetha has produced children's' cartoon series 1001 Nights,[6] Mixed Nutz, 16 Hudson,[7] Galapagos X and the Hulu Original series The Bravest Knight, the first children's series with an LGBT protagonist which featured all-star cast including RuPaul, Wanda Sykes, Christine Baranski, T. R. Knight, Bobby Moynihan, Storm Reid and Wilson Cruz.[8]
Jetha's 1001 Nights animated television series broadcast in over 70 countries and 20 languages on broadcast television networks including Disney, PBS, Cartoon Network, Discovery Kids, CBC Radio Canada, Teletoon and Al Jazeera Children's Channel. The series has won 5 Leo Awards, a Kid's First Choice Award a Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award, was an official selection for the Prix Jeunesse and Chicago International Film Festivals and placed in the top 10 most viewed programs by broadcasters in the MIP Junior screening room in Cannes three years in a row with a number one finish in 2011.
In 2019, Jetha also produced the short film Balloon Girl, which was a finalist in the PBS Online Film Fest. Set in Stadtpark, Vienna, the short film was part of London-based Hope Works Project, a series of short films to inspire kindness, understanding and hope in children around the world.[9]
In 2020, The Bravest Knight won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Kids and Family Programming as well as the MIP Jr. Diversity in Entertainment Awards.[10] He was named one of Washington State's Top 40 Under 40 in 2002 and again in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40 in 2009.[11]
UNICEF and international development work
[edit]He has been involved with UNICEF and received the WISE Award for his contributions to educational initiatives. In 2018, he was inducted into the Million Lives Collective for his work that improved the lives of over one million people living on less than $5 per day.[12]
IN 2021, he received the inaugural KEPYR Award, recognizing him as the humanitarian of the year in the entertainment industry for his work with UNICEF and refugees worldwide. In 2016, he testified as an expert witness before a British Parliamentary Committee regarding the use of cartoons to counter radicalization among vulnerable children in post-conflict countries.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Galapagos X | Producer |
| 2019 | The Bravest Knight | Producer |
| 2019 | Lili & Lola | Producer |
| 2020 | 16 Hudson | Prodcuer |
| 2010–2015 | 1001 Nights | Producer |
| 2009 | Mixed Nutz | Producer |
| 2006 | Babak & Friends - A First Norooz | Producer |
| TBD | Balloon Girl | Producer |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2021-11-08). "Big Bad Boo's Aly Jetha Named KEPYR's First Heroes Award Honoree". Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Aly Jetha | Tirgan". tirgan.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Kidscreen Summit 2025 - Aly Jetha". summit.kidscreen.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (2010-06-09). "Shabnam Rezaei & Aly Jetha,Founders of Vancouver-based Big Bad Boo Studios". Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Penn Gazette | Alumni : Profiles". 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ OznozKids (2009-11-20). 1001 Nights Main Title Song By Big Bad Boo Animation Studios. Retrieved 2024-10-31 – via YouTube.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2015-03-27). "Big Bad Boo, TVO Partner for '16 Hudson'". Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (2019-09-20). "Pioneers of the Toon Frontier: Big Bad Boo's Inclusive New Series 'The Bravest Knight'". Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Credits". Hope Works. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "How The Bravest Knight is turning the tide for LGBTQ kids programming". Yahoo Entertainment. 2019-09-06. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Business in Vancouver, Top 40 under 40: Aly Jetha, Rahim Talib". Ismailimail. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Animation Magazine". 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2024-10-31.