This film doesn’t feel like an advertisement. Inspired by American feature films we all know, it's a film with a twist we don't see coming. Throughout the film, the viewer wonders what they are watching. At first, they think they’re watching a good old thriller yet progressively, one realises there's something off: could it be a comedy? Finally, a surprising twist resolves everything. That twist and the emotions it provokes is what makes this submission strong and relevant for the film category. It's the subtle blend of genres, of action and dark humour that makes this work stand out.

In the profusion of streaming platforms and the multiplicity of content in France, the state of maturity - if not saturation - of the market is such that it is crucial to differentiate yourself and show your authenticity to emerge as a brand.

The differentiating factor of CANAL+ is its unrivalled and historic support for the world of cinema, as a sponsor, as a producer and broadcaster. At the last César ceremony in France alone, CANAL+ supported 33 feature films and 4 short films.

Canal+ has always been a content creator as it already creates its own original TV shows (Créations Originales) and is a major producer through its StudioCANAL entity.

The film SUPER is thus a way for the brand to remain an essential actor of the sector. It is a logical testimony of this love and appreciation for the “seventh art” and especially the short format, which can tell so much with little time. This film is almost not an ad but rather a short film itself; taking up the codes of thriller and action feature films, further affirming CANAL+’s support for cinematographic creation in all its forms.

Eric, an experienced air traffic controller, receives a call from an aircraft as he was preparing to leave the control tower. On the other side of the call, Helene, a young flight attendant, is totally panicked and asks for help as both her pilots are unconscious. We then follow Eric as he calms her down and interrogates her, in length, despite the blatant emergency… Each time, we think he's going to tell her what to do and be efficient, but no, he takes his time and digresses until the very end.

Situation

CANAL+ is the main sponsor of cinematographic creation in France.

In the minds of many, its usually long features, but it also includes short films, notably through sponsoring the most important short-film festivals in France.

Brief

Create an original/unique piece of communication to express the brand’s partnership with the Clermont-Ferrand international short film festival.

Objectives

Highlight the importance of and valorise short films.

Raise awareness about CANAL+ and its place as the main sponsor and supporter of short films and short film festivals, and cinema in general.

Within 1 week of its release the film was viewed over 1.2 M times (with 0 media investment) and was extremely well received. Both specialised and mainstream press have acclaimed it as yet another “tour-de-force” from CANAL+.

Fans of the brand and cinema aficionados engaged more with this film than other classic ads from CANAL+ and took to social media to express their appreciation. Many got hooked and tricked by the format too, saying they didn’t see the end coming. The film was also released on the brands streaming platform myCANAL in the short feature category where it recorded the best viewing scores upon release and a high love score, which helps the brand meet the objective of solidifying its image as main patrons of cinematographic creation in France.