10. “Unsung Hero”
The ThaiLife commercial has now been seen plenty, with some of its translation issues in tact. That said, I’ve used it so many times as an example of how to craft a compelling video.
9. Japan’s Master Inventor Has Over 3,500 Patents
Great Big Story are some of my favorite content producers out there. Their sole goal with everything produced is to create a sense of wonder, which they do again and again.
8. In A Heartbeat
Score one for the animators. This sweet animated short love story made quite the splash when it arrived, and I wish there was a more regular place to find these sorts of works.
7. Budweiser | This Bud’s For 3 | Dwayne Wade
This video, made by Budweiser to commemorate Dwayne Wade’s retirement from the NBA packs a surprisingly emotional punch.
6. Most Shocking Second a Day video
The saddest video listed, and it has a pretty bad clickbaity title. That aside, the Syrian crisis was the tragedy of this decade, and this Save The Children campaign starkly humanizes it.
5. A Pep Talk from Kid President to You
Kid President was one of the very best things to happen to the internet this decade, and this might have been his capstone video.
4. Proverbs 31 (Thank God For Women) – International Women’s Day
More nonprofit’s videos should look like this: blurring the line between giver and recipient and instead focusing on the many different appearances of strength.
3. Children Of Asian Immigrants Reveal Sacrifices Their Parents Made
Another pretty powerful soul-punch. Of course this is one I can relate to pretty strongly, but it’s pretty widely moving.
2. Meet Zach Sobiech | My Last Days
SoulPancake’s 22 minute highlight of a remarkable soul gone too soon is exactly the sort of thing that makes you just want to go out there and live whole heartedly.
1. A Balloon’s Story
Brad Montague’s short story about a balloon going through an existential crisis triggered by the awareness of mortality is sweet and relatable and comforting all at once.