Directed by Kane Croudace, the animated short was made at Triggerfish over just one weekend in 2014 for the 48 Hour Film Project. The Case of the Disappearing Daddy won Best Sound Design, was named Second Runner Up overall, and received five other 48 Hour Film Project nominations, including Best Writing.

Julia Smuts Louw led the writing team, which included Miro Kolenic, Candice Johannes, Tom Kleinenberg, and Anthony Silverston, as well as voice actors Jason Cope and Sarah-Jane Scott. They were limited not just by time, but also by the 48 Hour Film Project’s constraints: they had to write a family film and include a wet sponge as a prop; a character Adriaan or Amy Stemmet, a detective; and the line ‘I thought it was you.”

Undaunted, the team devised a charming detective story about little Amy, whose daddy goes missing during bath time. The four-minute short film went on to screen at Shnit International Short Film Festival in 2015.

“Congratulations to all the writers,” says Triggerfish CEO Stuart Forrest. “The Writers’ Guild nomination is a remarkable achievement considering the time pressures they were under.”

Forrest adds that part of Triggerfish’s mission is to create a platform for artists. “We are constantly looking for ways to develop and promote the amazing talent here, from hosting exhibitions to supporting their involvement in initiatives like The 48 Hour Film Project. Julia went on to be shortlisted for our Story Lab initiative with The Walt Disney Company last year, out of nearly 1400 entries from 30 countries, so we’re very proud of how she continues to develop her craft.”

Click here to watch The Case of the Disappearing Daddy.

Winners will be announced at The Muse Awards at the Soweto Theatre on Saturday, 2 April 2016.

For more information, visit www.triggerfishstudios.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.