# Through the Dark (2016 film)

Through the Dark is a 41⁄2 minute 3D-animated interactive film, which is viewed in a web browser and rendered in real-time. The film is a collaboration between Google Play Music and Australian hip hop group Hilltop Hoods, featuring the band's song of the same title ("Through the Dark"). The song was written by band member MC Pressure (Daniel Smith) after his son was diagnosed with leukemia at eight-years-old. Based on this experience, which is told through the song's lyrics, the film tells an emotional story of a boy and his father. Through the Dark has been awarded over 50 accolades at international award shows.

## Technical aspects

Through the Dark is experienced within a web browser and uses standard web technologies such as WebGL and Web Audio API. When viewed on a mobile device, the film's virtual camera is mapped to the device's accelerometer. The camera angle within the film is changed when the device is rotated or tilted, allowing the viewer to move between two worlds of light and dark. When viewed on a computer, the movement of the camera is controlled by scrolling.

## Accolades

| Awards Show | Date | Category / Award | Result | Ref(s) |
| FWA Awards 2016 | 16 January 2017 | FWA of the Year 2016 | Won | [10] [11] |
| FWA Awards 2016 | 16 January 2017 | People's Choice Award 2016 | Won | [10] [11] |
| D&AD Awards 2017 | 27 April 2017 | Crafts for Design / Animation & Illustration for Websites & Digital Design | Yellow Pencil | [1] [12] |
| D&AD Awards 2017 | 27 April 2017 | Graphic Design / Digital & Mobile | Wood Pencil | [1] [12] |
| ADC Annual Awards 2017 | 8 May 2017 | Interactive / Interactive Film | Gold | [13] [14] |
| ADC Annual Awards 2017 | 8 May 2017 | Craft in Digital / Art Direction | Silver | [13] [14] |
| Creative Review 'The Annual' 2017 | 8 May 2017 | Interactive Film & Virtual, Augmented or Mixed Reality | Won | |
| The One Show 2017 | 12 May 2017 | Mobile: Craft / Visual Effects / Animation | Bronze | |
| The Webby Awards 2017 | 15 May 2017 | Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics | Won | [17] [18] |
| The Webby Awards 2017 | 15 May 2017 | Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics, People's Voice Award | Won | [17] [18] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Craft In Advertising / Film - Best Use and/or Arrangement of Existing Music | Gold | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Design / Entertainment Design | Gold | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Film & Video / Interactive Film, Individual. Any Length | Silver | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Craft In Advertising / Film - Direction | Silver | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Craft In Advertising / Film - Animation | Silver | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Craft In Advertising / Branded Entertainment and Content | Silver | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Branded Entertainment & Content / Mobile | Silver | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Branded Entertainment & Content / Experiential - Interactive | Silver | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Craft In Advertising / Digital - Animation | Bronze | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Direct Marketing / Art Direction for Direct, Individual | Bronze | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Digital / Mobile - Other | Bronze | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Digital / Online Film, Over 3 Minutes | Bronze | [19] [20] |
| AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Branded Entertainment & Content / Entertainment - Online | Bronze | [19] [20] |
| AICP Next Awards 2017 | 6 June 2017 | Website Category | Gold | |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Digital Craft - Overall Aesthetic Design | Gold | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Digital Craft - Video & Moving Image | Gold | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Digital Craft - Digital Illustration | Silver | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Film - Music Video | Silver | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Cyber - Interactive Video | Bronze | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Digital Craft - Technological Achievement | Bronze | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Mobile - Innovative Technology | Bronze | [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] |
| AMY Awards 2017 | 7 July 2017 | Best Content Led Marketing Campaign | Won | |
| MMA Awards 2017 | 25 September 2017 | Mobile Website | Silver | |
| MMA Awards 2017 | 25 September 2017 | Innovation | Silver | |
| MMA Awards 2017 | 25 September 2017 | Mobile Video | Silver | |
| Clio Awards 2017 | 27 September 2017 | Digital/Mobile Technique - Graphic Design | Silver | [29] [30] |
| Clio Awards 2017 | 27 September 2017 | Digital/Mobile - Website | Bronze | [29] [30] |
| Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Digital Craft | Grand Prix | [5] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] |
| Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Music - Excellence In Brand / Music Sponsorship or Partnership | Gold | [5] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] |
| Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Digital Craft - Overall Aesthetic Design | Silver | [5] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] |
| Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Music - Excellence In Music Video | Silver | [5] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] |
| Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Digital Craft - Digital Illustration | Bronze | [5] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] |
| Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Design - Digital & Interactive Design | Bronze | [5] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] |
| Ciclope Festival 2017 | 27 October 2017 | Digital Craft - Interactive Film | Gold | |
| London International Awards 2017 | 30 October 2017 | Digital - Animation/Motion Graphics | Gold | |
| London International Awards 2017 | 30 October 2017 | Digital - Branded Content | Silver | |
| London International Awards 2017 | 30 October 2017 | Digital - Innovative Use of Digital | Bronze | |
| AdFest 2018 | 25 March 2018 | Design Lotus - Motion & Digital Design | Gold | |
| AdFest 2018 | 25 March 2018 | Film Lotus - Interactive Film | Silver | |
| AdFest 2018 | 25 March 2018 | Interactive Lotus - Interactive VDO | Silver | |
| AdFest 2018 | 25 March 2018 | Mobile Lotus - Video Viral VDO & Interactive VDO | Silver | |
| AdFest 2018 | 25 March 2018 | Mobile Lotus - Use of Technology for Mobile | Silver | |