This short recreates the true story of Thula, a cat whose curiosity opened up the world for Iris Grace, a girl diagnosed with a severe autism spectrum disorder. Through the relationship she developed with Thula, Iris gained new found confidence, began communicating and taking part in new activities including revealing an extraordinary talent for painting.
Titled Iris and Thula, the film is part of a new global “Feed Their Curiosity” campaign created by agency AlmapBBDO in Brazil for Whiskas cat food. The campaign is based on the universal truth that natural, free-spirited curiosity is what makes cats special, so we need to nurture that with healthy food and proper care.
The short is the first in what’s planned as a series of “Curious Cat Chronicles” based on real-life stories of curious cats.
Credits
Client Whiskas Agency AlmapBBDO, Sao Paulo, Brazil Luiz Sanches, general creative director; Bruno Prosperi, executive creative director; Benjamin Yung, Marcelo Nogueira, creative directors; Daniel Chagas Martins, Cesar Herszkowicz, creatives. Production Killers Claudio Borrelli, director; Julia Tavares, exec producer/producer; Ted Abel, DP; Paulo Ribeiro, art director. Editorial Claudio Borrelli, Marcelo Cavalieri. Postproduction Casablanca, Andreia Figueiredo. Audio Satellite Audio Kito Siqueira, Roberto Coelho, producers; Fernando Rojo, Hurso Ambrifi, Mike Vlcek, Thaigo Colli, Henrique Guimarães, Daniel Iasbeck, maestros; Fabian Jorge, Rodrigo Tedesco, Flavio Gondin, audio post.
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
