Franchise Freedom

On May 5, 2020, in the midst of a global crisis, Mothership and Studio DRIFT created an unprecedented tribute to freedom, care, and solidarity. As society grappled with lockdowns, curfews, and an overburdened healthcare system, the desire arose to give Liberation Day — especially in that moment — a meaningful expression. Not through a crowded event, but through a powerful gesture that could reach everyone, safely at home.

Mothership, the initiator of this project, collaborated with Studio DRIFT in record time to create an extraordinary version of Franchise Freedom: an aerial performance in which 300 drones executed a choreography above the River Maas in Rotterdam. The swarm of drones symbolized individual freedom within a collective movement. The flight concluded with a breathtaking image — a glowing red heart pulsing above the city — a tribute to healthcare workers and to human resilience.

Mothership was responsible for the concept development, project management, production, and curation of this unique moment. Thanks to close collaboration with Studio DRIFT and the Municipality of Rotterdam, this silent spectacle — without an audience on-site — could be experienced worldwide through livestreams and social media. Franchise Freedom touched millions of people and became an iconic image of hope, connection, and freedom at a time when all of these felt rare.