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This is a pro bono film uniting 30 Jewish charities that gained powerful new resonance after tragic events.

This project, a first-of-its-kind, charity-led short film created to celebrate the festival of Chanukah, has struck a deep chord across the Jewish community, with sector leaders, charities and faith figures praising its message of collaboration, hope and togetherness – a message that has become even more poignant following the deadly antisemitic attack in Bondi, Australia.

Summary

A two-and-a-half-minute pro bono film bringing together more than 30 UK charities and community names has received widespread praise for its creativity, warmth and sector-wide collaboration — and has taken on unexpected cultural significance in the days following its release.

‘Brighter Together – The Mascot Massive Chanukah Film’ was released on Thursday 11 December and has already been viewed more than 15,000 times across social media and charity platforms. Produced entirely free of charge by the creative team at CC Comms, the film features six community-familiar charity mascots, alongside cameo appearances from dozens of Jewish charities in a playful, cinematic story celebrating unity and collective goodwill.

The project was inspired by the UK’s annual big-budget Christmas advertising campaigns and set out to create a similar style seasonal short film – albeit with a zero budget – made specifically for a Jewish audience at Chanukah. It was produced not as a fundraising campaign or commercial exercise, but as a gift of joy, warmth and positivity to charities and the wider community after a difficult year for Jews in the UK.

Following the deadly antisemitic attack in Bondi, Australia at a ‘Chanukah on the Beach’ event attended by over 1,000 Jews three days after the film was released, the film has since struck a deep chord across the Jewish community – with sector leaders, charities and faith figures praising its message of collaboration, hope and togetherness.

The film follows Lev the Lion, who has lovingly prepared a Chanukah party for his mascot friends (the Mascot Massive) but has fallen asleep on a chair after getting everything ready.

Across the community, the rest of the Mascot Massive scramble to reach him before nightfall — all carrying a lightbulb for Lev’s giant Chanukiah, and each overcoming their own last-minute travel challenges. Racing against the clock, will they all make it in time to bring the light, enjoy the donuts and latkes, and celebrate the Chanukah miracle together?

The narrative mirrors the spirit of the film: collective goodwill, collaboration, and the power of coming together to bring light to the darkness. The tagline at the end of the film, referenced in its name, is Chanukah is brighter together.

Project director, Adam Selwyn of CC Comms said:

“The Jewish community has been facing some particularly dark moments, with rising antisemitism and recent attacks, including the assault on a synagogue in Manchester and the horrific events in Bondi. When we first conceived and produced this film, our intention was simply to create something that brings joy, warmth and a sense of togetherness that people might want to share. It’s a love letter to the amazing charities featured, but it has now come to carry a wider message of unity and hope for a shaken but resilient community. The fact that it has been embraced so deeply, particularly in view of recent events, shows the power of shared, values-led creative work and serves as a reminder that we really are brighter together.”

Unexpected resonance following tragedy

Since its release, the film’s message has taken on deeper meaning following the targeted antisemitic attack at a Chanukah celebration in Bondi, Australia, which resulted in multiple deaths and serious injuries.

In the days since, charities, community leaders and faith figures have shared the film widely, describing it as a powerful expression of resilience, unity and hope in the face of hatred and violence.

Several Rabbis referenced the film in sermons over the weekend, highlighting its reflection of Chanukah’s core themes: light overcoming darkness, community strength, and collective responsibility. One Rabbi described it as “what Jewish illumination looks like” and encouraged audiences to watch and “kvell” at the collaboration on display.

The film has also been used in school assemblies for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, where it has supported age-appropriate discussion of its themes.

Sector-wide collaboration praised

Charity leaders involved in the project have emphasised not just the creative achievement, but what the collaboration represents for the sector.

JTeen, one of the participating charities, described the film as “an incredible concept and perfectly executed: a two-minute tribute to the amazing organisations across our community.”

Another charity, Resource called it “a wonderful initiative that has uplifted the community seeing charities unite,” while Jewish Deaf Association said it “made me smile from one side of my face to the other.”

Avi Barr, Chair of Trustees at JTeen, wrote that the project showed how, “in challenging times, our community chooses unity over isolation, hope over despair, and collective action over going it alone.”

As minority charities continue to navigate polarisation, rising hostility and increasing pressure on the communities they serve and support, this project offers a reminder that collaboration, storytelling and shared values play a powerful role beyond traditional campaigning or fundraising.