In April, 2026, Manchester United FC reached out to me to produce an animated film and a key visual as part of their partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their annual Youth Football Academy Summit. The brief called for a 30" action animation following an action packed U16 football match between the two clubs.
Working directly with one of the biggest football clubs in the world, I was given the creative freedom to build the visual direction of the project from the ground up.
Every shot was animated by hand frame by frame in TV Paint and composited in After effects.
From the 14th to the 16th of August, 2026, the Hong Kong Jockey Club hosted the Manchester United U16 team at Mong Kok Stadium where they played 2 friendly matches. The local teams won both of them in a thrilling series of upsets.
As part of the project, all the banners and collateral in the building featured the key visual designed for the event.
Images courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club
Manchester United Team:
Senior Creative Services Manager: Rachel Ardeman
Senior Video & Content Editor: Isla Crummack
Video & Content Editor: Tom Nicholls
Conceptual & Art Direction: Clifford Briggs (CMgr MCMI)
Design: Matt Percival
Partnerships: Shirley Chen
Production:
Director: Leonardo Ruiz
Character Design: Leonardo Ruiz.
Storyboard: Leonardo Ruiz
Animation: Leonardo Ruiz, Mattia Barilari
Backgrounds: Marco De Masi
Compositing: Leonardo Ruiz
Sound Design: Cristiano De Petrillo
Senior Creative Services Manager: Rachel Ardeman
Senior Video & Content Editor: Isla Crummack
Video & Content Editor: Tom Nicholls
Conceptual & Art Direction: Clifford Briggs (CMgr MCMI)
Design: Matt Percival
Partnerships: Shirley Chen
Production:
Director: Leonardo Ruiz
Character Design: Leonardo Ruiz.
Storyboard: Leonardo Ruiz
Animation: Leonardo Ruiz, Mattia Barilari
Backgrounds: Marco De Masi
Compositing: Leonardo Ruiz
Sound Design: Cristiano De Petrillo
