'Your Presence' is an alternative John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert that we created. Regardless of your opinion on John Lewis’ Christmas ads from recent years, there’s no doubt that they have changed drastically.The move from emotive, human stories to high-grade animated characters and CGI continues to cause debate in our industry.Spurred on by this, we created 'Your Presence'; a hard-hitting film that deals with loss and grief and highlights just how difficult this time of year can be for some.Shot locally in Nottingham, we feel it captures our creative mantra perfectly - emotive storytelling that packs a punch.

Creative: Affixxius
Production/Post: Affixxius
Director: David Whayman
Producer: Liam Wadd, Billy King
DOP: Liam Gummer
Camera Assistant: Daniel Eastgate
Grade: Harbor Picture Company

‘Your Presence’ is centred around protagonist Sam, who is visiting his dad on Christmas day. We see Sam’s wife, Jill, encourage him ahead of the visit, setting a solemn tone for the opening scene. Sam’s dad, Patrick, opens the front door. There is a glare over his eyes and his appearance is rugged and generally unkempt. 

The body of the film showcases Patrick mute and disengaged during Sam’s visit. Failed attempts at conversation, efforts to inject some Christmas spirit met with indifference, and a lovingly prepared meal by Sam accepted with disdain by his father. 

After what has been a lacklustre visit, Sam prepares to leave, feeling dejected and worn thin by the day. As he turns on the doorstep, his father hands him a carelessly wrapped present in a John Lewis bag. Not expecting much, he removes the ‘wrapping’ to reveal a framed photograph of himself as a boy being cuddled by his late mother. They both look blissfully happy and it hits Sam like a train.

With both men now holding back tears, Patrick speaks with a crack in his voice. ‘Son…I miss her terribly.’ ‘I know Dad’ Sam replies. ‘Me too.’

They hug as their conversation continues, all while Sam’s wife Jill, who has returned to bring him home, watches on from the driveway; a solitary tear in her eye. 

We pull back as our final line appears on screen. ‘Sometimes, the best gift, is just your presence.’

The John Lewis & Partners logo fades up onto the screen.