An RSPCA film which tells the tale of an abandoned Christmas puppy who is thrown out with the rubbish has been named a winner at this year’s Charity Film Awards.
Stars, the tear-jerking short video, shows Woody the Christmas pup being abandoned before he is rescued and taken in for care by the RSPCA.
The touching film was made by the charity’s small in-house team to highlight the Kindness at Christmas campaign. It was filmed at the charity’s RSPCA Newbrook Animal Centre in Birmingham.
The soundtrack features an acoustic cover of the Simply Red song Stars, written by Mick Hucknall, and was performed by up and coming singer Lucy Ellie, who works for the RSPCA.
Films were split in to categories depending on the charity’s annual turnover and the RSPCA won the top award in the Charities with a £50,000,000+ category.
Broadcast manager at the RSPCA, Alan Laxton, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Charity Film Award and to have such lovely comments from the judges.
“When we made Stars we wanted to reflect the incredible work that staff and volunteers across the RSPCA do all for animals in need 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The story tells the tale of a toy dog - but what happens to him is very real. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs just like Woody every day, all year round.
“It was lovely to show all the different aspects of the work we do - from the inspector rescuing the dog, to him being treated by vets, looked after by our canine carers and volunteers before being rehomed.
“Staff gave up their own time to help us with the filming and while this story is of a toy dog - with a twist at the end - this story is played out every day across the RSPCA, but for real. We take in the most cruelly treated and neglected animals from across England and Wales and work hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them.”
Director of Communications at the RSPCA, Chris Wainwright said: “To have won this award in this category against some very tough competition is fantastic. We are so pleased people were moved by the story - which is so typical of an animal that comes in to RSPCA care - and that hope everyone that watched it was touched by it’s message.”
The Charity Film Awards - the third event of its kind - took place in London on Friday night (26 April) and was hosted by actress Sally Phillips. The RSPCA’s award was presented by Apprentice contestant Daniel Elahi.
Simon Burton, founder of the Charity Film Awards. “The quality of the films in this year’s Charity Film Awards was better than ever. Inspirational, heartbreaking and heartwarming films that make a real difference to incredible causes.”
