Tonic DNA Brings Highmark’s (un)Hungry Community Story to Life Through Animation

Highmark’s (un)Hungry community movement addresses food insecurity in the United States during the holiday season through a timeless character-driven film created by Tonic DNA.

Inspired by the story of a real neighborhood pantry, the film follows a little girl on a quest to help others, bringing her community together through a heartfelt journey. The concept captures the spirit of compassion and collective action at the heart of Highmark’s initiative.

Tonic DNA brought the story to life through a CG film shaped by a tactile painterly aesthetic and stop-motion sensibility. The production embraces intricate visual details, from hair painted in virtual reality to hand-embellished strokes applied across the 3D sets. These techniques give the animation a handcrafted quality while reinforcing the warmth and humanity of the narrative.

The result is a visually distinctive film that connects creative craftsmanship with a meaningful social message. Through its character-driven storytelling, expressive visual language, and carefully crafted animation, (un)Hungry communicates the importance of community and helping those facing food insecurity.

Tonic DNA’s thoughtful approach to animation and storytelling has been recognized with a win in the Animation – 3D Digital category, celebrating the creative achievement behind (un)Hungry.