Emerge Film Fest

Awarded honorable mention in an AIGA Philadelphia Publication:
Locally Sourced Issue 03, December 2024

Awarded honorable mention in an AIGA Philadelphia Publication: Locally Sourced
Issue 03, December 2024

Overview

Emerge Film Fest provides a premier platform for emerging filmmakers, directors, and actors to establish their presence in
the industry. Designed to foster connections, collaboration, and career growth, the festival brings together aspiring talent
and seasoned professionals. With a focus on innovation and storytelling, Emerge Film Fest highlights the next generation of cinematic voices.

Emerge Film Fest provides a premier platform for emerging filmmakers, directors, and actors to establish their presence in the industry. Designed to foster connections, collaboration, and career growth, the festival brings together aspiring talent and seasoned professionals. With a focus on innovation and storytelling, Emerge Film Fest highlights the next generation
of cinematic voices.

The Process

Concept & Inspiration

The creative direction for this project was rooted in a unique blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking energy. I was drawn
to the visual language of old VHS cover art, grainy textures, bold gradients, and a certain warmth that evokes memories of analog storytelling.

The guiding vision was to create something that felt both fresh and familiar; a celebration of cinematic culture that leaned into retro sentimentality without feeling dated. This duality informed every part of the brand, from color choices to layout systems, and shaped a visual experience that invites both memory and discovery.

Borrowed Notes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults start or reconnect with their musical journey. We provide access to instrument rentals, personalized lessons, and a supportive community, creating a space where adults can explore music at their own pace. We believe it’s never too late to make music. Our mission is to empower adults by removing barriers to music education, offering the tools and support they need to embark on or continue their musical journeys
with confidence and joy.

Visual Identity

To express this balance of old and new, I built the visual identity around a sunrise-inspired retro palette, with warm oranges and yellows, and bright and deep blues. The type system was created using BC Mikser, a bold and characterful typeface I custom-edited to include subtle embellishments. These tweaks aligned the type more closely with the core motif and brought a unique rhythm to headlines and titles.

The logo began as a minimalist reference to film strip border marks, then evolved into something more symbolic: a stacked triad forming the letter “E”. This not only anchored the brand in the visual language of film, but also conveyed a layered and modular feel, mirroring the multifaceted nature of the festival itself.

Poster Elements

The festival poster serves as both a promotional tool and a visual homage to Astoria, Oregon’s cinematic legacy.
I intentionally combined three culturally and visually iconic references:

The top image includes a still from the movie “The Goonies,” filmed in Astoria, the second image is The Astoria-Megler Bridge, and the third is Liberty Theater which opened in 1925 as the first theater to be re-established and is seen as symbolizing the city's rebirth after the Astoria fire of 1922.

These elements not only honor the location’s legacy but also establish a strong narrative link between place and purpose.

Concept Execution

Collateral

Every element of the festival was considered part of the storytelling. From merchandise to event materials, the collateral served as an extension of the brand’s identity and atmosphere.

Included in the collateral were:

Lanyards for attendees
Tickets for showings
Hoodies and graphic tees
Tote bags

These items worked together to create a consistent and memorable experience across all touchpoints, reinforcing the festival’s identity while providing attendees with lasting, tangible connections to the event.