Kids with cancer are bombarded with an array of invasive procedures that are equal parts unfair and unfamiliar. These concepts are not only intimidating, but completely foreign to them. The idea for the Imaginary Friend Society was born from cancer survivors who used imaginary friends as a coping mechanism during treatment.

“It’s our goal to help the more than 4,600 children diagnosed with a primary brain or central nervous system tumor each year. That’s 13 new cases per day,” said Robin Boettcher, president and CEO of the PBTF. “These films help us equip, educate and empower families throughout their journey by explaining difficult aspects of cancer care and giving children confidence and courage.”

The PBTF is also developing motion-capture medical-assistance technology using select imaginary friends, as well as hospital-based augmented reality experiences designed to lessen the fear of impending procedures.

The shorts use a variety of different animation styles and techniques. Below are four of the shorts, followed by links and studio credits for all of the films in the series:

“Finding Out You Have Cancer” (Animation: Giant Ant)



“What is an MRI?” (Animation: Roof Studio)



“Blood Transfusions” (Animation: Lobo)



“Returning to School” (Animation: Strange Beast)



LINKS TO ALL PROJECTS AND STUDIO CREDITS

“Welcome to the I.F.S.”

Animation: Gentleman Scholar

Music: Jeremy Turner

Sound Design: Jeremy Turner

“What’s an MRI?”

Animation: Roof Studio

Music: Butter

Sound Design: Butter

“Feeling Sad”

Animation: Hornet

Music: Ambrose Yu

Sound Design: Ambrose Yu

“Returning to School”

Animation: Strange Beast

Music: Handymartian

Sound Design: Handymartian

“Blood Transfusions”

Animation: Lobo

Music: Anvil FX Music & Sound Design

Sound Design: Anvil FX Music & Sound Design

“Finding Out You Have Cancer”

Animation: Giant Ant

Music: Antfood

Sound Design: Antfood

“Losing Your Hair”

Animation: The Mill

Music: Fidget NYC

Sound Design: Fidget NYC

“Why Am I Tired All the Time?”

Animation: Airplan

Music: Squeak E Clean

Sound Design: Squeak E Clean

“Feeling Angry”

Animation: Not to Scale

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“Radiation”

Animation: Trunk

Music: Daniel Pemberton

Sound Design: Fonic

“Who Will Be Taking Care of Me?”

Animation: Flux Animation

Music & Sound Design: Digicake

“How to Handle Shots”

Animation: MPC

Music: Storefront

Sound Design: Storefront

“Surgery”

Animation: MPC

Music: Mophonics

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“Chemotherapy”

Animation: Starbeast

Music: Mike Newport

Sound Design: Radiate Sound

“Help for Brothers and Sisters”

Animation: Psyop

Music: Teenage Diplomat

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“What Is Cancer?”

Animation: Studio Pigeon

Music: Black Iris

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“Long Hospital Stays”

Animation: Titmouse

Music: Travis + Maude

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“Being By Yourself”

Animation: Renegade Animations

Music: We Are Walker

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“Being Scared”

Animation: Laundry

Music: Butter

Sound Design: Lime Studios

“Staying Friends with Your Friends”

Animation: Wolf & Crow

Expected Music & Sound Design: Shindig

Title Sequence (for all films): Elastic

Title Sequence Music (for all films): Jeremy Turner