UNFAIRY TALES UNICEF

UNICEF has launched a global initiative called #actofhumanity that focuses on raising awareness of the refugee children who have had to flee their war-torn countries for safety. As a companion-piece to the initiative, UNICEF worked with agency 180LA in co-developing a series of true, short animated stories called “Unfairy Tales”. These short films tell the stories of three different Syrian refugee children on their journey to safety. They have been animated in the style of a fairy tale with the purpose of driving home the sentiment that some stories were never meant for children.

UNFAIRY TALES
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THE ASK

Bubba’s was approached to animate the story ,“Mustafa Goes For A Walk”, in collaboration with Gilles+Cecilie Studio. 180LA was looking for each film to begin like sweet kids’ tales then take a dramatic turn when you discover the children are fleeing for their lives. With this direction, we took inspiration from some of our favorite Saturday morning cartoons growing up. We worked to design a style reminiscent of that fun, colorful world and shifted the tone drastically when the true reality of the story comes to light. 

THE APPROACH

 

In our approach to animating, we chose a raw and crude animation style to authentically reflect Mustafa's harrowing journey. The visuals are intricately woven with his interview dialogue, creating a seamless blend that amplifies the story's emotional impact. This decision enhances the storytelling by visually representing the stark reality faced by children escaping conflict, aiming to create a powerful and immersive experience that resonates with viewers.

RESULTS

"Mustafa Goes for a Walk," part of UNICEF's Unfairy Tales series, achieved significant engagement and recognition. The project captivated audiences with its raw animation style and powerful narrative, garnering millions of views across various platforms. It sparked widespread discussions on social media and received extensive coverage in major media outlets. The film was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Clio Awards Silver in the Branded Entertainment category and the Grand Prix for Good at Cannes Lions​. This recognition underscores the project's success in raising awareness about the refugee crisis and its profound impact on children. It highlights the power of authentic storytelling in making a real difference, a core value we strive for in every project at Bubba's LA.