Two animation projects by Griffith film alumni have won International Emmy Awards overnight.

Bluey, created by a team of Griffith Film School (GFS) alumni, took out the Kids / Preschool category. Fellow film school graduate Daniel Snaddon won Best Kids Animation for his critically acclaimed movie Zog.

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the 2020 International Emmy Kids Awards online and via social channels, after the awards in Cannes were cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A remarkable journey

It caps off a remarkable year for the homegrown heroes behind Bluey, who have shattered viewing records, picked up AACTA and Logie Awards and taken the show global on Disney Plus.

Created by Griffith Film School alumnus Joe Brumm, the series is produced by GFS alumnus Daley Pearson and employs scores of Griffith animation graduates and student interns. Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Joff Bush is responsible for the show’s hit soundtrack.

Bluey has proved wildly popular with families across the nation, becoming the ABC’s most watched show, with 241 million plays since its launch in 2018. A second season premiered this month.

Griffith Film School alumnus Daley Pearson

Daley Pearson, who previously won International Emmy Awards for #7DaysLater and ABC children’s series Doodles, took to Twitter this morning to thank Bluey’s fans.

“I am so proud of the team,” he said.

“This series is made under one roof in Brisbane… thank you to all of the beautiful Australian families who have welcomed Bluey into their homes.

“Thank you for loving Bluey as much as we love making it for you. The response has been overwhelming.”

A winning streak

Fellow Griffith Film School graduate Daniel Snaddon won for his animated movie Zog.

Daniel co-directed the film, based on a popular children’s book by Julia Donaldson. It features the voices of British acting icons, including Kit Harrington, Sir Lenny Henny and Rob Brydon.

Now based in South Africa, Daniel said the win came as a complete surprise.

“It feels very surreal,” he said.

“South Africa has been in lockdown for five days, so with all that’s been happening all round the globe I’d completely forgotten to tune in, so I was delighted to see that we’d won!

“I’m hoping that it’ll open some new doors when it comes to getting future projects financed and made.”

Griffith Film School alumnus Daniel Snaddon

Daniel said his studies at Griffith Film School had prepared him for a successful career in the screen industry.

“I had a really terrific class at GFS, and I’m still in touch with my old uni mates and professors over social media,” he said.

“We really pushed each other to dig deep into what we loved about animation, and I’m very grateful for everything I learned.”

‘A great achievement’

Professor Herman Van Eyken

Head of Griffith Film School Professor Herman Van Eyken congratulated the alumni who won International Emmys, saying their success was testimony to the calibre of talent nurtured at Griffith.

“We are very proud of what our students and graduates are producing,” he said.

“This is a great achievement.”

For more information about studying a Bachelor of Animation at Griffith Film School, click here.