Woodstock film-makers bask in Emmy glory

Woodstock film-makers Jac Hamman and Sara Scrimgeour were part of the team that won an International Emmy for the short animated film, Tabby McTat.

The 52nd International Emmy Awards took place in New York, on Tuesday November 26.

Tabby McTat beat out fellow nominees, Wake Up, Carlo! from Brazil, Mystery Lane from France and Sharkdog from Singapore in the Kids:Animation category.

Both Mr Hamman, 39, and Ms Scrimgeour, 32, who work remotely, were directors on the project. They were unable to attend the awards ceremony.

“Being on the other side of the world and being busy with other things, it just makes it a little bit more difficult to get to these big events,” said Ms Scrimgeour.

Mr Hammon said: “Growing up, you always dream of winning one of these awards, but it seems so impossible. You don’t imagine as a South African you can reach that level so it feels great to win after all the hard work. We’re very proud of the team.”

Adapted from the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book, Tabby McTat is currently on Showmax. It’s about the warm and wonderful friendship between a musical cat voiced by Sope Dirisu and a talented busker called Fred voiced by Rob Brydon.

One day when chasing a thief, Fred falls and breaks his leg and is whisked away in an ambulance. What will become of the busker’s cat, left alone on the streets of London?

Ms Scrimgeour, who has been known to sing to her cats, says Tabby McTat was an obvious fit for her. “I adore cats, and this is a story about a musical cat. Honestly, how could I resist?”

Mr Hamman adds: “It felt like it was quite a mature message, about how you can grow apart from a friend, and how relationships change, and about a child having to leave their parents’ home to start their own family.”

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