South African directors Jac Hamman and Sarah Scrimgeour are celebrating a remarkable achievement with their International Emmy Award (iEmmy) win for the animated children’s film Tabby McTat.
This milestone victory, announced at the ceremony in New York City on Monday, underscores the burgeoning success of South Africa’s creative industry on the global stage. The duo’s triumph highlights the country’s ability to produce world-class content that resonates across cultures and age groups.
The award, presented in the Kids: Animation category, adds to South Africa’s growing presence at the iEmmys. Last year, directors Daniel Snaddon and Samantha Cutler also brought home an award in the same category for The Smeds and The Smoos.
This year, South African talent continued to shine, with kykNET’s reality series Die Brug earning a nomination in the Non-Scripted Entertainment category. Hamman and Scrimgeour, though unable to attend the event, expressed their elation and gratitude for the recognition.
In a statement, Hamman shared the emotional significance of the win. “Growing up, you always dream of winning one of these awards, but it seems so impossible,” he said. “As a South African, reaching this level feels surreal. This victory is a testament to the hard work of our entire team, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
The duo’s adaptation of Tabby McTat from the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler has clearly struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.
Available for streaming on Showmax, Tabby McTat was produced as a BBC Christmas special. The 25-minute animated film competed against notable entries like Mystery Lane, Sharkdog, and Wake Up, Carlo! in the animation category.
Featuring the voices of British Academy Film Awards (Bafta) nominees Rob Brydon and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú as Fred and Tabby, along with Critics’ Choice Super nominee Jodie Whittaker as the narrator, the film brings to life the touching friendship between a musical cat and a talented busker.
The short film’s success extends beyond its iEmmy win. Last Christmas, Tabby McTat became one of the top 10 most-watched shows on television in England, drawing over 8.6 million viewers. It was also the most-viewed animated feature from UK broadcasters during the festive season.
Julia Donaldson, the author of the original story, shared her personal connection to the tale, noting her love for both cats and music. “This story combines two of my passions: singing and cats. It’s incredibly close to my heart,” she said.
Sarah Scrimgeour, who revealed her fondness for singing to her own cats, found Tabby McTat to be an irresistible project. “I adore cats, and this story about a musical cat felt like the perfect fit for me,” she said. Hamman, on the other hand, was drawn to the deeper themes of the story, particularly its exploration of changing relationships and personal growth.
“The message about how friendships evolve and the journey of leaving home to start a family resonated deeply with me,” he explained.
The emotional depth of the story posed a creative challenge for the filmmakers, who sought to translate its mature themes into a visually compelling narrative. “We wanted to create a film that moved audiences,” Hamman added.
“I imagined parents watching this with their children and pulling them in for a tighter hug because of the themes of love and change.” This dedication to emotional storytelling helped elevate the film’s universal appeal.
The production of Tabby McTat was a monumental effort involving a team of over 80 animators, most of whom were based in the UK. Hamman and Scrimgeour directed the project remotely from Cape Town over 18 months, showcasing their ability to manage a complex, cross-continental collaboration.
This marks their sixth BBC Christmas special and their second as directors, following the success of Superworm, which won Best One-Off, Special, or TV Movie at the Kidscreen Awards last year.
The duo worked closely with their long-time collaborator and art director, Shannan Taylor, who brought her South African work ethic and creativity to the project. “Shannan is incredibly dedicated. You have to pull her away from work,” Hamman said, praising her contributions. The team’s collective efforts resulted in a beautifully animated film that continues to garner accolades and admiration worldwide.
In addition to its iEmmy win, Tabby McTat has received widespread recognition, including the BANFF World Media Festival Award and the Audience Award at the New York International Children’s Film Festival in the Animation: Preschool category.
The film is also nominated for a prestigious Rose d’Or Award, with the ceremony set to take place in London next month. These achievements further cement Hamman and Scrimgeour’s reputation as leading figures in animation and bring well-deserved attention to South Africa’s thriving creative industry.
