San Leandro Woman Shares in 'Brave' Globe Win

When the Golden Globe Awards were announced Sunday night, friends and family of San Leandro native Katherine Sarafian cheered for "Brave" the Pixar animated film about a Scottish princess whose courage saves a kingdom

"Brave" won for Best Animated Film in competition against "Frankenweenie," "Hotel Transylvania," "Rise of the Guardians" and "Wreck-It Ralph."

Sarafian, a long time Pixar employee, produced "Brave" which was made and distributed in partnership with Disney.

As Patch previously reported, Sarafian attended Roosevelt Elementary School and advanced to Bancroft Middle School before graduating in the San Leandro High Class of 1987.

She went on to UCLA's Film School, which led to a job as assistant to the production manager of "Toy Story."

Sarafian steered "Brave" through literally years of production, during which time she gave birth to two sons, ages three and three months old.

Sarafian, 43, lives in Oakland with husband Meher Gourjian, a visual effects specialist whose production credits include work in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." (Link to recent photo of the couple.)

If you were a friend or classmate, give a shout out in the comments below. If you saw "Brave" or any of the other nominees, did you agree with the award?