Disney has launched its 2021 Christmas advert, telling the heartwarming story of a step-father navigating his first festive season with his partner and her children.
A sequel to the company’s 2020 short film ‘Lola’, ‘The Stepdad’ sees viewers being introduced to a grown-up Nicole, the granddaughter from last year’s touching ad, and her two children Max and Ella, as new step-father Mike moves into their family home.
Taking centre stage in the production is a precious storybook filled with Disney and Pixar characters which belongs to Max from his birth father – and Mike is eventually able to ‘lift’ the magic of the tales from the pages as he’s accepted by the children.
The three-minute ad – released today – includes an original charity track Love Runs Deeper, performed by two-time Grammy Award-winning American jazz musician Gregory Porter.
This year’s instalment forms part of the brand’s festive retail campaign, ‘From Our Family To Yours’, in support of children’s charity Make-A-Wish.
Disney has launched its 2021 Christmas advert, telling the heartwarming story of a step-father navigating his first festive season with his partner and her children (pictured)
A sequel to the company’s 2020 short film ‘Lola’, ‘The Stepdad’ sees viewers being introduced to a grown-up Nicole, the granddaughter from last year’s touching ad, and her two children Max and Ella, as new step-father Mike moves into their family home (pictured)
Taking centre stage in the production is a precious storybook (pictured) filled with Disney and Pixar characters which belongs to Max from his birth father – and Mike is eventually able to ‘lift’ the magic of the tales from the pages as he’s accepted by the children
The advert begins by showing architect Mike moving out of his tired flat with his beloved dog and joining his partner Nicole and her children at their home.
Viewers see the family enjoying evenings together and meeting Mike’s family, before witnessing the two youngsters’ bedtime routine – in which they sit with their mother while she reads from the special Disney book.
As she tells her children the stories, which include a Mickey and Minnie Mouse ice skating – the 2D characters lift from the page and ‘magically’ become animated.
In a later scene, Mike starts to read the story of Moana to Ella, with the character then moving across the page.
Then, as they get ready for the festive season, the family-of-four build a gingerbread house – only for Mike to destroy it by accident.
The three-minute ad – released today – includes an original charity track Love Runs Deeper, performed by two-time Grammy Award-winning American jazz musician Gregory Porter
This year’s instalment forms part of the brand’s festive retail campaign, ‘From Our Family To Yours’, in support of children’s charity Make-A-Wish
The advert begins by showing architect Mike (pictured centre) moving out of his tired flat with his beloved dog and joining his partner Nicole and her children at their home
The two children run from the kitchen in tears, leading to their step-father to stay up all night and build a new, extremely well-built one.
Mike’s hard work is rewarded with big hugs from the youngsters – and now, finally, the step-father’s voice also brings the stories in the Disney book to life.
Disney said: ‘The book celebrates how the power of storytelling can deepen family bonds, and the magic that reading together creates as stories from Disney and Pixar lift off from the pages igniting the family’s shared imagination and wonder.’
The campaign once again supports Disney’s long-standing partner, Make-A-Wish, helping the charity to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Since 1980, Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant more than 145,000 life-changing wishes around the world.
Viewers see the family enjoying evenings together and meeting Mike’s family, before witnessing the two youngsters’ bedtime routine – in which they sit with their mother while she reads from the special Disney book
As she tells her children the stories, which include a Mickey and Minnie Mouse ice skating – the 2D characters lift from the page and ‘magically’ become animated
Double Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter performed an emotive rendition of original track ‘Love Runs Deeper’ – penned for the advert, which provides a musical narrative to the film through the eyes of Mike in lieu of any dialogue.
Written by LA-based songwriters PARKWILD, the track also features Cheris , a member of Tomorrow’s Warriors, an organisation committed to increasing diversity and equality across the arts through jazz music.
‘Love Runs Deeper’ will be available for download from today. For every download before 31 December 2021, 100 per cent of the proceeds from the retail price will be donated to Make-A-Wish International.
Disney will give support worth more than $2m to Make-A-Wish International and their network of Affiliates around the world.
The support, made up of financial donations, media value and gifts in-kind will help Make-A-Wish step that much closer to achieving their vision, to grant a wish for every eligible child.
In a later scene, Mike starts to read the story of Moana to Ella, with the character then moving across the page
Then, as they get ready for the festive season, the family-of-four build a gingerbread house – only for Mike to destroy it by accident. The two children run from the kitchen in tears, leading to their step-father to stay up all night and build a new, extremely well-built one
Fans will also be able to purchase a Skating Minnie Mouse soft toy and Journal inspired by the ad, exclusively from shopDisney.
Throughout the advert, eagle-eyed viewers will also be able to spot a number of hidden Disney and Make-A-Wish ‘Easter Eggs’, including two artworks created by children supported by the charity.
One of which comes from 13-year-old Dylan whose picture of a cheetah can be seen on the family’s fridge. Dylan’s wish to be an animator was fulfilled by Flux Animation Studios, who developed the advert creative.
Tasia Filippatos, SVP Disney EMEA said: ‘We’re delighted to once again support long term charity partner Make-A-Wish through our Holiday campaign.
Reading together can be a truly magical experience and our advert celebrates this age-old tradition and the wonder and imagination it inspires. We hope the story will resonate with anyone who has seen the magic “lift off the pages” of a book through the eyes of a child.’
Mike’s hard work is rewarded with big hugs from the youngsters – and now, finally, the step-father’s voice also brings the stories in the Disney book to life. Pictured, Gregory Porter
International artist Gregory Porter, who performs ‘Love Runs Deeper’ said: ‘The lyrics of the track are so powerful, and underline that behind everything there is love.
‘When I read the first line of ‘Love Runs Deeper’, “When you open the door, I will be standing there”, I was truly moved by its emotion and storytelling. I knew I needed to be involved with this campaign and support Make-A-Wish.’
Luciano Manzo, President and CEO at Make-A-Wish International said: ‘We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Disney and are delighted to be a part of this year’s festive campaign.’
The advert was developed and produced by Disney EMEA’s in-house creative team, led by Angela Affinita, Director of Brand Marketing and Creative, in partnership with Flux Animation Studios in New Zealand.