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Charlie Mackesy says people's reactions to his book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and its film adaptation have been "more rewarding" than his recent Oscar win. Mackesy, 60, said he was "speechless" after the victory but the stories he was told about the effects of his work were "golden". The BBC adaptation of his book won the Oscar for best animated short film on Sunday.
The illustrated book explores the friendship between the four main characters as they journey together in search of a home and features voice acting.
British actors Tom Hollander and Idris Elba voiced the film's characters, along with its composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, sister of Fleabag star Phoebe.
"The awards are amazing and I'm speechless to be honest, but a bigger reward has been the response of people to the book and the movie," Mackesy said, speaking in the Oscar winners' room.
She shared the story of a woman whose five-year-old grandson told her that she was "enough like you," a quote from her book.
"She said that on the street tears were running down her face, not only because of her understanding but (because she knew he would do it, for the rest of his life those words would go through him," he declared).
"To me, it's gold, you know?"
In her acceptance speech, Mackesy praised the "bravery" of the filmmakers.
He also recalled talking to an acquaintance about attending the Oscars, saying that she told him, "I think it takes a lot of guts to make a movie and I think when you go there, there's going to be a lot of very brave people in the same room."
He added: "I looked at it and said yes, I think you're right, and it really is."
Producer Matthew Freud said: “We've never made a film before, so it's beyond baffling. I know it's protocol to say thank you very much, but I'm British, so I'm more comfortable saying sorry.
After thanking his family, he added: "But this statue is for the dog, Vincent, and the boy, Charlie."
The short was produced by Star Wars director JJ Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions.
Following its publication in 2019, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse was named Book of the Year by Waterstones and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards Nonfiction Lifestyle Book of the Year.
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