2024 Denver Film Festival
As a filmmaker and lover of movies, working with this client is a joy each year and something I look forward to. In 2024, I took the lead as a writer and concept partner for the Denver Film Festival. The client wanted to adopt a more sophisticated look, matching that of Cannes or other 'big name' festivals. It was important, as it is every year, for us to appeal to a younger crowd while still connecting with the donors and other repeat attendees who tend to skew older.
With this concept, we're encouraging attendees to see all of life's infinite possibilities.
It Was "The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship."
And it started back as early as 2007. For the last nearly two decades, my company's partnership with Denver Film has flourished. They’ve come to trust us with the design and campaign development of both their Denver Film Festival (DFF) and Film on the Rocks (FOTR) events — and without fail, it is one of our most anticipated projects as each festival season begins.
Gettin' Groovy for 2023 Film on the rocks
I went to the root of Film on the Rocks for this concept. Typically, this movie event features films of the past, making us nostalgic for our childhoods or the stories we heard at certain points in our lives — from Star Wars to Dirty Dancing. So I went to the past for inspiration, the 70s to be exact.
Our team worked together to draft designs and ads with the 70s in mind, and a message for all to hear: No matter what you’re going through, good times or bad, maybe, just maybe, all you need is film.
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Imagining ourselves in the movies for 2022 Denver Film Festival
2022 was the year I was onboarded to Denver Film. I wanted to come up with a concept that reflects the way I feel about film. What happens when I walk out of the theater? How have I let film impact me in every aspect of my life since I was a child?
It doesn't take being a movie star to see yourself on screen. Film has something to offer everyone, whether you're an enthusiast or not. These posters make a promise to our audience that through their experience they will find impactful stories that will stay with them long after they walk out of the theater. Because at Denver Film Festival, we show you stories that stay with you.
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Taking some notes from a renowned Designer for 2023 Denver Film Festival
In 2023, Denver Film had to choose between two amazing concepts. The first choice was inspired by risographs and zines. Film is what you make it, how you interpret it, and what it says to you and about you. Like poetry, it touches the subconscious, and when poetic liberty touches the power of cinema, the influence of art is unstoppable. You'll see some of the initial poster designs along with my original poetry below.
Ultimately, the client went with option #2. Saul Bass's contributions to 1950s/60s cinema revolutionized the way we view it today. His original typography, kinetic title sequences, and extremely recognizable design style put him on the map as one of the most renowned graphic designers to this day. Honoring his legacy, this final poster design utilizes his style to tell the story of the film-going experience.
Risograph Zine:
Saul Bass:
