AI powers Deutsche Telekom's Christmas film

Its central message is that giving someone time and attention can be one of the most meaningful gestures, particularly during the festive season.

Deutsche Telekom has partnered with INGO The Agency to launch its Christmas campaign, Take Time to Connect, encouraging people to prioritise meaningful relationships over digital distractions. The campaign centres on a grandfather and granddaughter whose shared Christmas experience highlights the importance of being present for loved ones.

The campaign explores the difference between being physically together and feeling emotionally connected.

Grandfather and granddaughter star in Christmas film

The campaign film follows a family celebrating Christmas, where young Lily notices that her grandfather is physically present but emotionally distant. He is remembering his late wife and the Christmases they shared.

Recognising his sadness, Lily reaches out to him through a small gesture that draws them into a dreamlike adventure. Their shared experience helps Grandpa reconnect with the family and the love surrounding him.

The story highlights how connection cannot erase grief but can help people feel less alone. It also encourages audiences to recognise when loved ones need attention and support.

INGO combines storytelling with generative AI production

INGO developed the campaign in collaboration with director Léo Cannone of Feel Films and generative AI studio New Forest. The production team used generative AI to create the film's visual world, characters and campaign imagery.

New Forest's Create platform supported the production process through an integrated workflow covering development from script to final shot. The technology allowed the creative team to experiment with visual concepts and translate ideas into scenes throughout production.

Léo Cannone, Director at Feel Films: "Coming from a traditional filmmaking background, I like to think of AI as a camera directly connected to my imagination. Since AI was part of the brief from the beginning, we were able to really explore the creative possibilities, experimenting with images and showing how ideas could translate into a scene almost immediately. We created a film filled with magical and fantastical elements that would have been possible to bring to life with live action or traditional animation. Cinema has always been capable of creating extraordinary things. AI simply offers another way of bringing those ideas to life. With this film, I wanted to capture that feeling of wonder, and hopefully remind people to slow down, look around, and see a little more of the magic that's already there."

Cyndi Lauper soundtrack reinforces emotional message

The film features Cyndi Lauper's 1980s hit Time After Time, using its nostalgic sound and theme of being there for someone to reinforce the relationship between Lily and her grandfather.

The campaign forms part of a wider 360-degree communications strategy running across television, cinema, digital platforms, digital out-of-home advertising and social media. Local activation initiatives will also support the rollout.

Deutsche Telekom takes campaign across ten European markets

The campaign is running across ten European markets: Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Greece.

Ulrich Klenke, Chief Brand Officer, Deutsche Telekom: "Feeling connected to others is essential to a society in which people can understand and support one another. With 'Take Time to Connect,' we want to encourage everyone to slow down and be there for the people around them."

Elias Modig, Senior Copywriter, INGO: "Connecting people is at the heart of Deutsche Telekom's purpose, and this Christmas we're celebrating the small acts that make a connection count: someone noticing. Someone reaching out. And how one connection can make a world of a difference. Our campaign is built on a simple human insight: when we slow down and give someone our attention, any moment can become magical."

www.telekom.com

www.ingotheagency.com

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