A public awareness film is a short, impactful piece of media designed to inform, educate, or inspire people around important social, health or environmental issues.
These campaigns need more than facts; they need stories that connect. That’s where animation shines.
The right approach can shift perspectives and inspire action, and at Fred & Eric we’ve created a variety of public information films with a unique blend of clarity, empathy and accessibility.
Why Animation Works:
Tackling Tough Topics
Animation lets you approach difficult issues like abuse, mental health or social justice, with care. Metaphors and stylised visuals keep the message strong without overwhelming audiences.
When we worked with the NSPCC on Letting the Future In, our goal was to raise awareness about a support service for children and young people who’ve experienced sexual abuse. The sensitivity of the script made animation the right choice. It offered a thoughtful way to approach this difficult content. Using a creative mix of realism and representation, we found a way to tell the story safely but powerfully.
Simplifying the Complex
From science to statistics, some subjects just don’t translate easily on screen. Animation can break them down into simple metaphors that are easy to understand.
For the NSPCC’s Sharing the Science series, we turned child development concepts into easy-to-grasp animations. Each one used a variety of metaphors to make the science approachable and grounded in empathy.
NSPCC training film focuses on an "overloaded" metaphor.
NSPCC animation used a 'Tipping Scales' concept to visualise childhood development.
Building Empathy
Characters can connect in ways numbers never will. A well-crafted animated figure lets audiences project themselves into the story, creating universal empathy without distraction.
Our "Postvention" animation in collaboration with The Samaritans and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service was created using a minimalist style that combined abstract shapes with realistic silhouettes. We storyboarded carefully to ensure the sensitive subject matter was conveyed with clarity and empathy, while avoiding visuals that could be triggering for the audience.
The silhouettes gave just enough human connection to make the subject relatable. While the abstract elements softened the more difficult moments around suicidal thoughts and self-harm within prisons. Personified shapes, reactive lines and flowing transitions carried the audience smoothly through each stage of the story.
The result was an informative and empathetic animation that guided HMPPS staff through the principles of Postvention. Balancing clarity with compassion and ensuring the message could be understood and felt.
Memorable & Shareable
Great animation is memorable, shareable and often harder to ignore than live action. It’s visual, emotional and designed to last.
Our short educational awareness film Run. Hide. Tell. was produced in collaboration with Embolden and Counter-Terrorism Policing, to teach 11 – 16 year olds how to react if caught up in a gun or knife terror attack. By blending live action with animation, we were able to expand the story beyond what could realistically be filmed.
Our bold graphic novel approach brought in diverse characters, multiple settings and lifelike scenarios. This kept the content grounded and relatable, while avoiding visuals that might feel too intense for the audience.
Our tips for Impactful Awareness Animation:
- Start with the human story. Even in science or statistics-heavy topics, ground the animation in real people, experiences, or characters that viewers can connect with emotionally.
- Use metaphors & visual symbolism to make abstract ideas concrete.
- Keep visuals accessible and inclusive.
- Add subtitles/voiceovers to reach more people.
- Plan for shareability: shorter clips, teaser versions, social friendly format, etc.
Animation does more than look good; it helps spark conversations, simplify tough topics and inspire action.
For charities, educators and advocates, it’s one of the most powerful storytelling tools available today.
If you have a public awareness campaign and think we could help bring it to life, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!