This article is available in other languages. Please click here to read in Français, Deutsche, Español, Dansk, Nederlands, België, Suomalainen, עִברִי, Italiana, Norsk, Polskie, Pусский, Svenska or Türk.

In times of great challenge we learn that empathy fixes everything. It allows us to see hope in times of protest, see joy in times of isolation, see possibility where there is despair and solidarity in times of divisiveness. And where these seeds of empathy are planted, friendship grows. And it is the nature of friendship; the varied stories and faces that will be explored in an inspiring new project to celebrate its power.

To mark International Friendship Day on the 30^th July 2021, Disney and WWS founder, Misan Harriman, are joining forces to create an exclusive photographic series, Mickey & Friends: The Power of Friendship. The series is inspired by pop culture icons, Disney’s sensational six – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Goofy – and will feature a host of famous faces.

Misan’s photography captures the deeply personal stories and emotions of cultural moments as well as the beating heart of London during 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests.

This new series will be an observation of the transformative power of friendship through diverse experiences and expressions.

If you have a tale of friendship to tell, we would like to hear it.

We are looking to cast anyone with a moving tale of the power friendship brings. Share details of a profound experience of friendship and the impact it has had on your outlook or life. Yours could be a story of lifelong friendship, or a brand new bond. Stories that showcase happiness, warmth, strength and allyship as well as those small but meaningful moments. If your story will inspire others, it deserves to be shared.

We will choose ten submissions. Each group or pair of friends will have their portrait taken by Misan himself and will later form part of a virtual exhibition – Mickey & Friends: The Power of Friendship – that will mark International Friendship Day.

The series will show how friendship positively impacts lives. It will also support Disney’s not-for-profit partners including MediCinema which brings comfort to, and reduces isolation for seriously-ill children in hospitals. The series will capture real-life tales of friendship amongst hospital and health workers who regularly volunteer for MediCinema and similar organisations across Europe, shining a light on these everyday heroes.

To submit your tale of friendship, fill in the form below by Friday 18th June 2021. Those selected will be invited to take part in a physical or virtual shoot, adhering to Covid-19 protocols.