Australia’s biggest retail brand, Kmart, has produced its first-ever television special, in collaboration with Melbourne-based Production Agency, Mushroom Group.
Premiering this Friday, 4 December 2020 at 7:30pm (EDT) on Channel Nine, ‘Small Gift, Big Heart at Christmas’ is a 30-minute TV special that acknowledges the challenges Australians have faced throughout 2020 and the very different Christmas they are soon to experience.
The content of the special is seen through the eyes of nine-year-old Riley. Celebrating the Australian Christmas spirit, the special presents Riley and his family receive show how small gestures can have incredible impact on the lives of friends, family, and community members.
It aims to align with Kmart’s annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, in partnership with The Salvation Army.
Audiences are taken on the journey of each donated gift, from the moment Riley chooses the special item at his local Kmart store, to the moment a very grateful recipient selects the gift at their local Salvation Army.
John Gualtieri, Kmart director of retail, said: “We are all very proud to have contributed to the story around the Australian Christmas spirit, and the year 2020.
“The representation of community through authentic storytelling showcases the power of overcoming adversity. Small Gift, Big Heart this Christmas will appeal well to viewers as it demonstrates the true bond that all families can connect with.
Michael Gudinski, chairman of the Mushroom Group of Companies, said: “For Mushroom Group it was a way to bring the magic of Christmas and bookend another memorable TV moment with Channel Nine after the incredible success of Music From The Home Front.
“The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal and documenting this unprecedented year is a story that needs to be told.
“Australia lived through this together and we should celebrate the act of giving without expectation—it’s part of the Australian way of life and customary to the Australian music industry.
“The project has also been a way to support our troubled music and television industries with an all-Australian cast, music and production team working on the project with passion and conviction.”
Small Gift, Big Heart at Christmas premieres on Friday, 4 December 2020 at 7:30pm (EDT), with three encore screenings scheduled across December on Channel Nine and Gem, and 12 months of catch up viewing available on Nine Now.
