Maria is the owner and co-founder of Little Engine Moving Pictures, a creator-driven media company that specializes in the production and distribution of original live-action, CGI, animated series, and companion interactive content for kids and family. Maria oversees the company’s business and sales strategy while building and strengthening partnerships with Canadian and international broadcasters, streamers and funding partners. She has produced seven original preschool series with companion interactive and has rapidly earned a reputation for producing and distributing progressive, inclusive, award-winning kids shows that travel the world. Little Engine’s catalog includes shows and film shorts that have won at Kidscreen Summit, Youth Media Alliance, W3 Digital, BANFF, Toronto International Film Festival, Berlinale, and Prix Jeunesse. Little Engine’s Canadian funding partners include TVO, Knowledge, CBC, TFO, Radio-Canada, Super Channel, OMNI, Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, Bell Fund, Rogers Telefund and COGECO Fund. A Filipina Irish Canadian, Maria champions diversity, inclusion, and BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation in front of and behind the screen.

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