FRENDER Turns Smurf Village Into a VFX Party

What happens when the nostalgic charm of the Smurfs meets the electrifying energy of global hip-hop? A visual explosion—brought to life with the help of FRENDER’s signature VFX.

FRENDER is proud to have contributed to the vibrant visual world of Higher Love—a bold collaboration between DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and DESI TRILL that reimagines Smurf Village through a futuristic lens of color, rhythm, and joy. Released on April 14, 2025, the music video is part of the official soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs film, which features none other than Rihanna as Smurfette.

Directed by Maya Table, Higher Love stands as a testament to her ability to blend pop culture with bold visual storytelling. Known for her work with artists like Saweetie, Janelle Monáe, and Ciara, Maya brought her signature style—playful, vibrant, and unapologetically powerful—to this high-energy project.

Table’s direction was pivotal in shaping the video’s whimsical-yet-urban tone. She envisioned a surreal block party in Smurf Village, where hip-hop meets fantasy, and her precise vision elevated every element—from choreography and set design to the interaction between live-action talent and animated characters.

Working closely with the post-production and animation teams, Maya paid special attention to pacing, comedic timing, and creating moments of surprise. Her collaboration with FRENDER ensured that the animated Smurfs and their environments felt alive, rhythmic, and full of personality, perfectly synchronized with the beat and mood of the track

The video opens with DJ Khaled commanding attention from the heart of Smurf Village, surrounded by blue characters dancing in sync to a genre-defying beat. Cardi B’s unmistakable voice kicks off the track—though she doesn't appear visually, her energy sets the tone. The collaboration also features DESI TRILL’s Natania and Subhi, infusing the project with South Asian flair and multicultural resonance.

Blending iconic cartoon visuals with live-action choreography, the video creates an imaginative bridge between generations. Bright mushroom houses, candy-colored skies, and a dance party like no other—all of it seamlessly integrated thanks to FRENDER’s advanced VFX work.

FRENDER’s role in Higher Love was to make the impossible feel effortless. From the very start, our mission was clear: organically integrate material from the animated film into a dynamic, music-driven environment without disrupting the visual integrity of either world.

Filming took place at Robot Studios in Miami entirely against a blue screen, allowing FRENDER to craft the backgrounds from scratch—drawing on the vibe and visual language of the Smurfs universe to create immersive environments with authenticity and flair.

Using original characters from the movie, we seamlessly composited them into the music video, making sure their interaction with the live-action elements felt natural and energetic. One of the most visually striking moments involved the creation of full-CGI balloons, used to produce an optical illusion scene where it appears as if the character is flying on them—an effect achieved through meticulous planning and cutting-edge compositing.

From vibrant forest scenes to surreal party sequences, every frame was a meticulous blend of technical precision and creative storytelling. Through carefully designed lighting, shadows, and motion tracking, our VFX artists brought charm, rhythm, and movement to every blue figure on screen.

With a nod to Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven Is a Place on Earth, Higher Love taps into nostalgia while pushing creative boundaries. DJ Khaled called the experience "a dream come true," and we couldn’t agree more. The project reflects the Smurfs franchise’s evolving identity—one that now includes diverse voices, bold musical direction, and groundbreaking visuals.

And FRENDER is proud to have helped shape this visual celebration of love, unity, and imagination—merging childhood memories with futuristic vision in a way that only VFX can deliver.