While major retailers compete for the most memorable Christmas advert each year, one charity has released a film that aims to provide genuine comfort to grieving families during the festive season.
A Film Born from Compassion
The baby loss charity Sands UK has launched a poignant Christmas film titled 'I'll never forget you', created to remind those affected by pregnancy or baby loss that they are not alone. Released in late November 2025, the project comes from director Phil Beastall, who previously gained viral attention in 2018 for his Christmas advert 'The Long Gift'.
Phil, who also collaborated with Sands on a 2023 Lewis Capaldi music video, explained his vision for the film. "I wanted to show that process from one Christmas to another," he shared. "I hope that people who are experiencing a loss will be able to reflect that they're not alone. There is support out there for them."
The director emphasised the importance of community in the healing process. "I hope that in that horrible moment, they might feel some comfort to know that they're not isolated with that situation. There's a real strong community aspect to this film to hopefully bring people together in a difficult time."
Portraying Grief with Authenticity
The film opens with a particularly powerful scene showing a couple returning home on Christmas day after suffering the devastating loss of their baby. The woman, portrayed by Joelle Desiree, collapses in tears upon seeing their Christmas tree, while her partner, played by George Kreitem, comforts her.
Phil made a deliberate creative choice for this opening sequence. "I wanted the audience to feel exactly what the couple were feeling," he explained. "I pictured that this was the first time they've come home, and I imagine that for the whole journey home, they haven't said a single word."
The director chose to have no background music during this crucial scene to avoid glamourising the moment. "In that moment that they step through the door, that's when it truly hits them that everything that they had imagined didn't happen, and they came home without their baby. I didn't want to glamourise that moment, because it's not glamorous at all."
Finding Hope Through Community
As the film progresses, it shows the couple discovering Sands and connecting with other bereaved parents. The narrative follows their journey through grief to finding support, including the man joining the Sands United football team and the woman forming friendships with others who understand their loss.
Carolyn Bray, assistant director of income and supporter engagement at Sands, highlighted why Christmas is particularly challenging. "We wanted to try and give an insight into, particularly Christmas, this time of year, which is probably extra challenging for families, given that [it] focuses on family, and so any loss at Christmas is heightened," she shared.
Despite working full-time elsewhere, Phil dedicated himself to the project without financial gain. "I didn't make money from it. That's not what it was about," he stated. "I said to them that I will do it for the least amount possible so that we can have the biggest impact possible. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."
The film concludes on a note of hope, showing the couple hosting two other couples for Christmas dinner the following year, demonstrating how community support can help families navigate their grief.
Breaking the Silence Around Baby Loss
Both Phil and Carolyn emphasised the importance of addressing the ongoing taboo surrounding baby loss. "Baby loss is still such a taboo. People still don't like talking about it," Carolyn noted. "It's uncomfortable. People don't know what to say. Hopefully, this might open the conversation."
Carolyn, who is bereaved herself, expressed pride in the final product. "I'm incredibly proud of this piece, and can't wait to share it. I can, in a way, just remind people that this is still my world. It doesn't change."
She highlighted the ongoing need for support services. "Too many people don't get the support that they might need because they might not know it exists, or they might be further down the line, and think it's only for people early on in their bereavement journey, which is not the case at all."
Sands UK continues to provide essential bereavement support at both local and national levels, working to reduce baby deaths and ensure affected families receive the care they need for as long as they need it.
