Ono Hawaiian BBQ is one of the fastest-growing fast casual restaurant chains on the West Coast, known for bold flavors, generous plates, and a deep connection to island culture. For two major theatrical releases, they partnered with Walt Disney Studios - and collaborated closely with Soapbox Films to shape campaigns that felt cinematic, playful, and unmistakably Ono.

Working hand-in-hand with both clients during the development phase, we helped craft original creative concepts that balanced brand authenticity with Disney storytelling. From early ideas through final execution, the process was deeply collaborative - aligning creative ambition, production realities, and marketing goals from the start.

Soapbox Films produced two fully original campaigns tied to Moana 2 and the live-action Lilo & Stitch, handling production, visual effects, editorial, and finishing. The work blended practical filmmaking with seamless VFX to create moments of movie magic inside real restaurant environments.

For Moana 2, we transformed a parking lot into an epic outrigger canoe sequence - using production design, camera craft, and visual effects wizardry to sell the illusion of open-ocean adventure. For Lilo & Stitch, we integrated original animation of Stitch directly into Ono restaurants, allowing the character to interact naturally with the space, the food, and the brand.

Throughout both campaigns, the food remained central. Rich, appetizing footage captured preparation, plating, and the joy of eating - grounding the spectacle in something tangible, craveable, and real.

The result was a pair of campaigns that didn’t just promote films, but extended their worlds - connecting Disney’s storytelling with Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s warm, generous, island-inspired experience.