Watch This: Beat Cancer Off (NSFW)
We can all agree on one fact: cancer sucks. It's a sentiment clearly agreed on by the frankly named organisation Fuck Cancer. The non-profit has commissioned an animated short that has been doing the rounds on the international festival circuit. Produced in association with VML Health, and animated by Sao Paulo, Brazil-based studio Dirty Work, the film is directed by Gustavo Leal and Faga Melo.
The film's awards run began at the New York Festivals Advertising Awards in June, where it dominated the healthcare categories with a Grand Prix (Purpose), a Gold (Purpose) and a Bronze (Branded Content & Entertainment: Product Services). It carried on a week later with Cannes Lions, earning two Golds (Entertainment Lions for Music, Health & Wellness), three Silvers (across Film and Film Craft - including a second Film Craft win in a separate sub‑category) and two Bronzes (Audio & Radio, Health & Wellness).
Beat Cancer Off is a mixed-media film that includes traditional 2D animation, CGI, cut-out animation, puppetry and live action. The NSFW short highlights 21 different expressions for masturbation, highlighting its connection to cancer prevention. The cheeky feel is amplified by an original track from Jamute, whose retro-inspired composition gives the short its playful rhythm and cultural edge.
Dirty Work directors Gustavo Leal and Faga Melo said "The film explores the fascinating ways different cultures and languages talk about masturbation. Each animation technique was carefully chosen to reflect the humour, visual language and storytelling traditions behind a particular expression. That diversity gives the film a unique richness and makes it resonate with audiences well beyond its country of origin." They added "Our biggest creative challenge was finding the right comic tone for each scene - humour was essential to making such a sensitive subject approachable, while ensuring every metaphor felt distinctive, culturally authentic and entertaining."
The campaign is inspired by a striking scientific statistic: that men who ejaculate 21 or more times per month may reduce their risk of prostate cancer by up to 22%, according to the landmark Health Professionals Follow‑up Study. The film takes a serious subject and turns it into something fun and mischievous. It's an undeniably impressive piece of work that showcases a wide range of styles and animation techniques. And all as well executed as each other- the crew at Dirty Work are a multi-talented bunch.
Dirty Work is an award-winning Brazilian animation studio, recognised for its boundary-pushing craft and distinctive visual storytelling. With work spanning global brands, cultural organisations and purpose-driven campaigns, the studio continues to expand its international footprint. Dirty Work is represented worldwide by Lemonade Collective (UK).
