Animation studio Aardman and environmental organization Greenpeace have launched a powerful new animated film highlighting the plight of the world’s oceans. Turtle Journey, directed by Aardman’s Gavin Strange, tells the heartbreaking story of a turtle family heading home through an ocean that is under increasing pressure from climate change, plastic pollution, oil drilling and overfishing.
Aardman uses its skills in storytelling, humor and creativity to communicate Greenpeace’s urgent message with a mix of CGI and stop-frame animation. Physical puppets were created to portray the turtle family, while the underwater environments are detailed in CGI.
Strange said, “I wanted to tell a personal yet universal story of family, loss and hope to best connect with audiences around the world. It was an absolute dream to work with such a talented crew of animators, artists and creators here at Aardman, manipulating clay and pixels to make such a nuanced and delicate piece of animation. Brought to life by a stellar cast of world-class voice talent, topped off by a simply sublime score from Arthur Jeffe’s Penguin Cafe.”
Characters in the film are voiced by Academy Award®-winning actors Olivia Colman and Dame Helen Mirren, along with Game of Thrones’ Bella Ramsey, Stranger Things’ David Harbour, Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter, and comedian Ahir Shah.
Credits
Client Greenpeace Production Aardman, Bristol, UK Gavin Strange, director; Emily Stone, production coordinator; Sam Morrison, writer; Maya Wilson, storyboard artist; Sylvia Bull, character design; Davide Mastrolonardo, environment & background design; Thomas Sewell, set dresser; Chris Entwistle Tandie Langton Bronwen Salter George Watson, modelmakers; Simon Jacobs, DP; Alison Evans, Gareth Love Lee Wilton, Inez Woldman, animators; Louis Mcnamara, assistant animator; Damien Gray Guy, Holme Nat Sale, electricians; Sam Holland, rigger; Erica Powenall, Adam Cook, camera assistants; Sami Goddard, producer; Rich Spence, CG supervisor; Martin Blunden, Trine Sorensen Coolidge, Helen Duckworth, Nathan Guttridge, Ben Toogood, Chuen Tsang, Signe Tveitan, CG artists; Tessa Mapp, Luke Tickner, CG lighters; Joseph Thornley-Heard, FX artist; Owain Peake, additional FX; Rebecca Rose, previs artist; Marta Arisa Clotet, Eva Bennett, Dom Rayner, Mat Rees, CG animators; Fernando Lechuga, comp supervisor; Hugh Brazier, Paule Quinton, Spencer Cross, Jim Lewis, compositors; Bram Ttwheam, colorist; Dan Williamson, editor; Christopher Stock, Dopesheet editor; James Grant, Photoshop artist; Miles Cumpstey, sound recordist. Props Mangostone Ltd. Helen Javes (Toolbox: Maya, Arnold, Nuke, Houdini, DaVinci Resolve, Dragonframe, Photoshop, Procreate) Music Penguin Cafe Arthur Jeffes, composer. Sound Design/Mix Matt Loveridge, Will Davies. Voice artists Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, David Harbour, Giovanna Lancellotti, Calyssa Miller, Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Ahir Shah, voice artists.
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 filmโs 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 childโs 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 โ Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the โBullying-Free Schoolsโ program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
โResearch indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
