We Won a Smiley Charity Film Award!
We’re thrilled to say that our campaign film for Autistica just won a Smiley Charity Film Award! Cue the confetti cannons and awkwardly humble fist pumps.
We’re really proud of this one—not just because of the win (though, yes, we’ve definitely been talking about it non-stop), but because of the incredible collaboration, creativity and care that went into making it.
This blog is a little behind-the-scenes peek at how this powerful charity video production came to life, what it was like working with Autistica, and how the whole thing unfolded—from first pitch to fancy award.
The Brief: Bold, Ambitious, and Reflective
When Autistica got in touch, they told us they wanted to create a hero film that was bold, ambitious, and reflective—a flagship piece of charity storytelling to drive forward their campaigning efforts.
Naturally, we were all in.
We pulled together a proposal packed with six unique creative concepts, each one crafted to explore Autistica’s work through a powerful visual lens. After a few creative chats and a lot of back-and-forth, one of those ideas stood out—and with some refining, Our World 2030 was born.
Pre-Production: Ideas Meet Logistics
With a big concept comes big planning.
Pre-production was a true team effort. We:
- Developed scripts and storyboards
- Locked in shoot schedules
- Designed and even made props
Autistica’s extensive network was also key here. They helped us cast Autistic performers and secure accessible filming locations. Even more importantly, they pulled together a steering group of Autistic people, who played a central role in shaping the film. Every draft, visual and creative choice was run past them to make sure the final film was as authentic, inclusive and representative as possible.
As a video production company for charities, this kind of collaboration is everything. It helped us ensure that the storytelling was not only impactful but also accurate and respectful.
Production: Three Days, One Vision
Production took place over three intense days across various London locations. We had a very specific look and feel in mind, and we worked hard to make sure every scene hit the mark—visually, emotionally, and narratively.
As with any ambitious charity film, attention to detail was key. From lighting and design to performances and accessibility, we focused on creating a world that felt both meaningful and memorable.
Rather than waffle on about the lighting setups or how many coffees were consumed, we’ll let our BTS video do the talking:
👉 Watch the Behind-the-Scenes video here
Post-Production: Bringing It All Together
In post, we built the film around our original storyboard, fine-tuning every moment for impact. We also used motion graphics and visual overlays to help explain some of the more complex or abstract ideas in the script—something that’s often crucial in awareness videos for charities.
The steering group continued to be an essential part of the process here too—offering feedback on early edits and helping us get things just right.
And Then… We Won!
We encouraged Autistica to enter the Charity Film Awards because we truly believed in the message of the film and the brilliant work they do. Did we think we’d win? Honestly—no!
So when Our World 2030 won its category, we were completely over the moon. 🎉
A huge thank you to the Autistica team, the performers, the steering group, the crew and everyone who voted in the first round. And if you haven’t seen the film yet—what are you waiting for?
👉 [Watch Our World 2030 here]
Need powerful charity video production?
If you’re a charity, non-profit or social enterprise looking to tell your story in a way that actually moves people, we’d love to chat. Whether it’s a campaign film, explainer video, or full charity brand film—we’ve got you.
We specialise in charity video production, partnering with charities to craft meaningful, emotionally-driven films that help raise awareness, generate support and drive real impact.
