Toronto Film School -
Film Fest 2025
Project Type: Event Branding
Role: Sole Designer
Company: Toronto Film School
Agency: Skylar Media Group
Year: 2025
Awards:
Gold Winner - Marcom Awards | Strategic Communications | Marketing/Promotion Campaign | 108c. Special Event
Project Description
The Toronto Film School (TFS) sought to elevate its annual event, Film Fest 2025, into a truly cinematic experience—one that would spotlight the ambition, creativity and storytelling power of its students while maintaining a professional and polished identity. This called for a design system that could be flexible enough for print, bold enough for digital, and cohesive throughout all touchpoints.
Mandate
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Design the visual identity and branding for the event.
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Create a suite of deliverables including posters, banners, digital program, and digital signage.
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Ensure all assets are repurposable, scalable, and consistent with TFS’s brand guidelines.
The Challenge
TFS required a fresh visual identity that felt:
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Student-driven and creative, yet professional and high-quality.
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Bold and visually engaging, while remaining minimal and clean enough for print.
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Consistent across formats (print + digital) and repurposable by TFS’s internal team.
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Fully aligned with their existing brand guidelines without being derivative.
My Role
I led the project end-to-end — from creative direction and concept development to design execution and delivery. This included defining the visual identity, developing the design, designing all print and digital assets, and ensuring brand consistency across every platform. I also managed client communication, approvals, and final production handoff.
Creative Execution
Drawing inspiration from the energy and ambition of student filmmaking, the visual direction centered on a cinematic, type-driven identity that felt bold, professional, and unmistakably TFS.
The creative process began with a “Type Mix” exploration, balancing structure and spontaneity through layered typography, oversized numerals, and motion-inspired layouts. This approach allowed the brand to feel alive — as if it were in constant movement, much like the students behind the festival.
For the digital program, a minimal and mobile-first layout ensured usability and focus on the event logo and key content. Across print and digital assets — from posters and banners to vertical signage — the design maintained a cohesive rhythm, adapting fluidly to each format without losing visual impact.
The result was a unified and scalable visual language that celebrated student creativity, elevated the festival’s presence, and aligned seamlessly with Toronto Film School’s brand identity.
We had the good fortune of working with the Skylar team on our annual event this year. They streamlined the process of idea to imagery. It allowed us to stick to our timelines. … WE LOVED our working with SKYLAR MEDIA!!!!
— Kevin Huhn, Senior Manager, Student Engagement, Events & Partnerships, TFS
Testimonial
This project was more than just a design challenge — it was a full-circle moment. As a Toronto Film School graduate, leading the creative direction for Film Fest 2025 was a true pinch-me experience. It was deeply rewarding to contribute to a brand and community that shaped my own creative foundation.
Beyond the personal significance, the project reaffirmed the impact of cohesive design systems in storytelling — where bold typography, layered visuals, and strategic consistency can transform an annual event into a cinematic brand experience that celebrates both student creativity and professional polish.
Takeaway
