“This one is for the supporters. As always, you makes us feel 100 feet tall…” Arsenal Creative Studio and BlinkInk have given the club’s fans a larger than life tribute within a mesmerising film to promote the team’s 25/26 away kit.
The striking, surrealist live-action film, Big people, small world, was directed by Léa Esmaili and blends epic cinematography with humour, spotlighting Arsenal stars quite literally, larger than life.
The film, set across miniature versions of recognisable global cities, from the streets of North London near the Arsenal stadium to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and New York’s 5th Avenue, features a meticulously handcrafted universe built from scale models, green screen environments, and digital matte paintings. Giant-sized versions of iconic Arsenal players, Leah Williamson, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Alessia Russo and Declan Rice, tower over the cityscapes, turning everyday streets into their personal playgrounds.
In a surreal moment, Saka’s massive hand grips the top of a tower, before a sudden zoom-out reveals his full form towering over the building. Elsewhere, Gunnersaurus – Arsenal’s beloved mascot – makes a cheeky appearance enjoying breakfast at a local café, proudly donning the new kit.
The film’s golden hour lighting, dramatic low angles, Dutch tilts, crash zooms, and dynamic match transitions heighten the energy to match that of a true game day. Carefully crafted sound design brings every moment to life, layering Arsenal chants, singalongs, and whistles into the mix to transport viewers to what feels akin to a real football match.
Director Léa Esmaili stated, “It’s a huge day for Arsenal” as it is for me doing my first football campaign. I had a lot of fun using miniature sets as long as matte painting to create a very old craft retro look that we wanted to feel throughout this campaign. So the finish led us to an unrealistic feeling.”
Credits:
Production Company: Blinkink
Director: Lea Esmaili
Executive Producer: Josef Byrne
Head of Production: Alex Halley
Producers: Alexander Handschuh & Jake River Parker
Production Manager: Maddy Williams
Production Assistant: Samad Olukunle
Creative Agency: Arsenal Creative Studio
Brand: Arsenal FC
Creative: Josh Steele
Producer: Zoë Kindler-Harris
1st Assistant Director: Freddie Wright
2nd Assistant Directors: Beth Jesperson & Elsa Grace
AD Runner: Rory Purdy
Director of Photography: Ben Cotgrove
