Shooting in Jamaica, Kingston to a tight schedule because of safety risks, we had our work cut out to deliver on this ambitious concept: a child running through the shanty towns of Kingston, joined by many more, to arrive at the Child Resiliency Programme.

This film changed the narrative up, encouraging viewers to donate online and see a longer behind the scenes that we provided, showing the difference donations can make in funding life-changing projects like this one in Boystown, Jamaica. It was launched across all mid and long-haul British Airways flights on the 1st February, 2018 – 40 minutes before landing. It was designed to complement the new inflight safety video, featuring Warwick Davis who we used for the voiceover on our film.

In the latest of our ongoing relationship with British Airways and Comic Relief, this time we took our cameras to a baby club in the outskirts of Cape Town, to se how Flying Start helps provide the best start in life for mothers living with HIV and their little ones.

All storyboards go out the window when faced with toddlers on the loose; that energy was manifest in the film!

As part of our long-standing relationship with British Airways’ Community Investment team we spent time in Durban, South Africa, with Tom Hewitt and his crew of ex-street kids now-surfing professionals known as Surfers Not Street Children.

Apart from their partnership with Comic Relief, British Airways offer annual bursaries to individual projects around the world that they feel are providing long-term sustainable development to the community. Durban has a long history of homelessness and street crime, so a surfing project that engages young kids and give them some life-changing guidance can make a huge impact.

Once we actually managed to get all the Surfers Not Street Children kids in the same place at the same time (“it’s like herding cats” said Tom in despair) hanging out with these bright enthusiastic young guys was the highlight – you could feel the energy coming from them, all buzzing from the experience of surfing and being filmed. One even requested a coffee with seven sugars which probably contributed to the general energy level.

This film is another great example of how we approach the subject matter of our CSR film projects in a way that shines a light on the great work that some of the world’s leading brands are doing on the ground. By highlighting the purpose that drives these leading brands, our films showcase their philanthropy and the positive impact they’re having on communities around the world.