The Line Men team had no idea its animated film Charlotte would win and there was a lot of "jumping up and down like idiots" when the results were announced last night, technician and editor John Mead said.
The three had 48 hours to come up with a film that finished with a twist and included a rock as a prop, an "it doesn't fit" line of dialogue and the character Alex Puddle, an exaggerator.
Animator Parry Jones dreamt up the story and then spent 12 hours drawing, followed by four hours' sleep and then another eight-hour stint at the drawing board.
"There was a stage where I was almost seeing in double vision."
Sound mixer and music writer Rudy Adrian gave Mr Jones his first reaction after his marathon drawing effort - a disappointing "Hmmmm".
It was not that he did not like what he was seeing, but the realisation he was going to have to rewrite the music he had already written, Mr Adrian said.
Mr Mead said the team had been fairly relaxed throughout the two days, until they began the final editing.
"I kept tinkering with it, as Parry was standing behind me sweating."
Then it appeared that the film had not recorded properly, but luckily it turned out the problem was a "dodgy machine" and the team got its film in with seven minutes to spare.
The international panel of judges said they knew the film would be a highlight of the festival after the first viewing.
New Zealand film director Taika Waititi said: "These guys did a film that was funny, it had a lot of heart and it had a great story with a twist."
The story follows an old man who lives on his own and whose neighbours think is up to no good with his "bumps in the night".
