The Christmas TVC for Irish retailer Dunnes tells a cosy story about the children of one Irish town coming together to make sure Santa doesn’t miss them on a stormy Christmas Eve.

The film, which was devised by Dublin creative agency Chemistry, relies on emotional storytelling in the most big-hearted festive tradition, putting the directing chops of Henry Mason to work.

The full 90-second version launched on TV and will be followed by 60-second versions. The campaign is also running nationally on billboards, social and digital. 

The spot, produced by Antidote, was shot over four days on location in Blessington, Kildare and Inistioge in Kilkenny, the production crew numbered over 70 and involved a cast of 450 children across Ireland. The snow effects were man made and the music was especially composed by Stephen McKeon using a 62-piece orchestra recorded in Windmill lane.

This is second campaign from Chemistry for the retailer since the agency won the account for the Dunnes business earlier in 2018. In September it launched the ‘Everyday Savers’ campaign.