Explain ALS to kids.
Luka & the lights is going to be a touching and heartbreaking short film that will be used to create awareness of this disease as well as a platform for children to understand what ALS is.
‘It’s not about what you take with you, but it’s about what you leave behind’, Anjo.
The creators of Luka had to explain ALS to their young kids when dad (age 35) was diagnosed with a form of ALS, a couple of years ago. There was hardly any information available let alone sufficient material.
This resulted in writing the script for the short animated film Luka & the lights, produced especially for children of all ages, made by Big Grin Productions.
Team Luka works together with doctors, specialists, other patients, teachers and the Dutch ALS Foundation.
Why a fundraising campaign?
In order to raise awareness for ALS, we aim to develop a short animation film, freely available on various media channels to reach a broader audience. The main character in this animation film is robot Luka. Luka is diagnosed with ALS and the film shows his journey through and after diagnosis, including the impact on others. It’s a silent film, with beautiful universal music, making it accessible for an international audience.
The film will be made possible by different worldwide fundraiser initiatives to allow professional animation studio Big Grin Productions to visualise Luka’s journey.
Currently, more than 30 experienced and talented artists are working on this animated short.
We would like to expand globally and strive for a larger audience to develop an online platform where everyone can find information to answer all their questions.
Why a fundraising campaign?
In order to raise awareness for ALS, we aim to develop a short animation film, freely available on various media channels to reach a broader audience. The main character in this animation film is robot Luka. Luka is diagnosed with ALS and the film shows his journey through and after diagnosis, including the impact on others. It’s a silent film, with beautiful universal music, making it accessible for an international audience.
The film will be made possible by different worldwide fundraiser initiatives to allow professional animation studio Big Grin Productions to visualise Luka’s journey.
Currently, more than 30 experienced and talented artists are working on this animated short.
We would like to expand globally and strive for a larger audience to develop an online platform where everyone can find information to answer all their questions.
What is ALS?
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called: ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
In this disease, nerve cells break down, which reduces functionality in the muscles they supply. Medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, but there’s no cure.
The average incidence rate of ALS worldwide is about one in 50,000 people per year that equates to about 5,760 to 6,400 new diagnoses per year. Counting relatives, Luka could help millions of children worldwide.
At this moment ALS is 100% incurable. We are fighting for an ALS-free generation.
Anjo Snijders
Writer & Creator
Sascha Groen
Writer & Creator
Toby Cochran
Director
Adrian Ochoa
Producer
Gerda Franssen
Executive Producer
Janna Brouwer-Schouten
Production Manager
Melinda S. Kavanaugh
Expert & Advisor
* This fundraiser is facilitated by the Dutch ALS Foundation. If the required amount for the fundraiser is not raised, the foundation is not obliged to supplement this amount and the donations will be at the disposal of the foundation. These will not be refunded.