This 90-second animated film for McDonald’s, created by Leo Burnett London and directed by Againstallodds from Passion Pictures, follows the story of Tom and his mum during their Christmas Eve rituals–from hanging decorations to browsing the Christmas market. 

Teenage Tom is unresponsive to his mum’s efforts to get him in the festive spirit, however his inner child tells us a different story.  A quick stop at McDonald’s to pick up some Reindeer Treats helps lift his spirits and Tom slowly starts to listen to his inner child. 

As the day goes on, Tom starts to join in with the festivities, no longer battling between his inner child and the teen he longs to be. Through the love of his mum and the rituals of Christmas, Tom learns that you can embrace both. He even suggests leaving some Reindeer Treats out for Santa, showing his mum that he is at last, #ReindeerReady. 

The campaign re-emphasizes the innocence and escapism Christmas brings, and celebrates the unique role that McDonald’s plays in the lives of the nation at Christmas, often a familiar pit stop amid traditional rituals. 

“Inner Child” will appear nationwide in the U.K. this week and run for six weeks across TV, VOD and social. McDonald’s will be releasing teaser films over the course of the weekend, with 10 second spots featuring during The Voice and The Chase. 

Chaka Sobhani, CCO at Leo Burnett London, said, “Tom and his mum perfectly demonstrate the truth of the teenage / child conflict that we can all relate to, and ultimately the magic of Christmas in bringing people closer together. After all, if you can’t be ‘forever young’ at Christmas, when can you be?” 

The heartwarming film is accompanied by British singer and songwriter Becky Hill’s remake of the iconic track "Forever Young," which is due to be released on 15th November, with 10p (ten pence, U.K.) from every download going to FareShare, the U.K.’s longest running food redistribution charity.

McDonald’s announced its partnership with FareShare in October, to provide one million meals for families in need. Earlier this year, as the first lock down was announced, McDonald’s donated over 400,000 tonnes of food to FareShare, food Drop and other food banks and charities.

Credits

Client McDonald’s Agency Leo Burnett London Chaka Sobhani, chief creative officer; James Millers, Andrew Long, creative directors; Steph Ellis, Rory Hall, creative team; Tom Sussman, head of planning; Graeme Light, head of TV production. Production/Animation Passion Pictures Againstallodds, director and boardamatic/animatic; Debbie Crosscup, exec producer; Mike Turoff, head of production; Matt Saxton, producer; Honor Marton, Nefeli Petika, production assistants; Emma Rider, CG coordinator; Jason Nicholas, head of CG; Stuart Hall, CG supervisor; Wesley Coman, animation supervisor; Juan Useche, character design (Againstallodds); Alejandro Diaz, Jules Durand, background design; Ronnie Mitchell, R&D; George Rigby, Wesley Coman, previz; Againstallodds, Kingley Bailey, Christina Conradi, Tim King, editing; David Burtle, Jason Nicolas, layout; Mattias Bjurstrom, Filippo Bovolini, Florent Rousseau, modeling (character); Florent Rousseau, Jack Enever, Maryka Laudet, Quentin Camus, Camille Jalabert, modeling (environment); James Nardelli, Maryka Laudet, Quentin Camus, Jose Hernandez, Francois Pons, Camille Jalabert, Fanny Teisson, Interference Pattern, Jack Enever, texturing; Eva Prado, texturing characters; Victor Vinyalls, Mattias Bjurstrom, Arthur Ranson, Sarah Forest, rigging; Keyvan Leriche, hair groom; Wesley Coman, George Rigby, Alan Person, Lucas Pratdesaba, Francisco Garcia, Jordi Girones, animation; Colin Perrett, Kwai Ip, Derlene Buttner, Tyler Daniells , Stephane Daguin, SFX & SIM; Howard Bell, Jose Hernandez, Francois Pons, Ian Beresford, Stuart Hall, lighting & rendering; Sam Meisels, Daniel Lopez, Flavio Kawamoto, compositing; Sam Klughertz, matte/background painting; Javier Edo, Tony Ambles, pipeline TDs; Tim Wharton, Daniel Borg, Thomas Lynch, IT support/engineering. Postproduction Framestore Music "Forever Young," rendition by singer/songwriter Becky Hill

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