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Animation Film | WaterAid | 2021
The Girl Who Built a Rocket
Neeraja Raj
Directed by
Billions have been spent sending spacecraft to Mars, searching for water and paving the way for future human exploration. But 1 in 10 people here on Earth still lack access to clean water.
'The Girl Who Built a Rocket' tells the story of Fara, a young girl from Madagascar, who dreams of building a spaceship to find water on Mars for her family. With a voiceover by Sir Trevor McDonald OBE and a soundtrack featuring David Bowie's iconic 'Life on Mars,' my film reveals that the help she seeks is closer to home on Earth.
Mission
The aim was to craft a compelling story to shed light on the global water crisis and support WaterAid, linking it to the concurrent 2021 Mars missions.
Role
I led the entire creative production process, overseeing storyboarding, animatics, and direction. Collaborating with WaterAid's teams in Madagascar, I shaped the story, drawing inspiration from real people and experiences to authentically portray Madagascar.
Impact
The film hit 30 million globally, surpassed engagement benchmarks, and boosted WaterAid's donations for its best-ever year, aiding communities in accessing clean water—a crucial defense against Covid-19.
Behind the scenes
Awards
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British Animation Awards - Nominated for Best Animation in a Commercial (London, March '22)
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Anthem Awards - Silver for Sustainability, Environment & Climate '23
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The Drum Social Purpose - Shortlisted for NFP Campaign of the Year
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The Drum DADI Awards - Shortlisted for Charity Campaign category
Festivals Selections
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Chicago Int'l Children’s Film Festival Oscar®-Qualifying (US, Nov '22)
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Manchester Animation Festival Oscar®-Qualifying (UK, Nov '22)
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Kaboom Animation Festival Oscar®-Qualifying (Amsterdam, Apr '22)
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Animayo Oscar®-Qualifying (Gran Canaria, Spain, May '22)
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17th Athens Digital Arts Festival ADAF (Greece, Oct '21)
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UMgungundlovu Film Festival (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Nov '21)
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McMinnville Sci-Fi Film Festival (USA, May '22)
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Fest Anča Int'l Animation Festival (Žilina, Slovakia, Jun '22)
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Lift-Off Sessions (Global, Aug '22)
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TAF Thessaloniki Animation Festival (Greece, Oct '22)
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Wisconsin Film Festival (US, Apr '23)
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Wicked Wales Film Festival (UK, Oct '23) - Winner 27-32 Age Category
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Brooklyn Academy of Music Kids Film Festival (US, Dec '22) - Honorable Mention
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BOFA 'Breath of Fresh Air' Film Festival (Tasmania, Sept '23)
Credits
Brand: WaterAid
Agency: Don’t Panic
Production Company: Nexus Studios
Director: Neeraja Raj
Executive Producer: Mike Bell
Producer: Jo Bierton
Production Manager: Nicole Naguil, Elspeth Vince
Production Assistant: Delfina Maria, Beatriz Honório
Project Lead: Dylan White
2D Animatic: Neeraja Raj
2D Animator: Alex Potts, Giacomo Autili, Jesper Andkjær, Christina Nerland, Lucy Hirst, Joel Stenback
Compositor: Dylan White, Bethany Levy
Designer: Hugo Beaurepere, Melanie Climent, Nikolas Franz
Storyboarder: Neeraja Raj, Morgan Ritchie
Editor: Dave Slade
