deadCenter Film Festival

Award Design (2023)

I was the chosen designer for the official award for the 2023 deadCenter Film Festival, Oklahoma’s largest and only Oscar-qualifying film festival, recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.”

The challenge was to create an award that felt distinctive and celebratory while seamlessly integrating with deadCenter’s established brand system. At the same time, the object needed to be engineered for practicality, allowing it to be shipped efficiently to filmmakers across the country and internationally.

The solution was a modular, flat-pack award system that balances form, function, and storytelling. The design features a layered acrylic structure with a radial composition inspired by projection, light, and cinematic motion. A translucent, iridescent film sits between two precision-cut acrylic frames, creating a shifting spectrum of color that changes with light and perspective. At the center, a custom medallion grounds the piece with a sense of place and recognition.

The award assembles onto a wooden base with engraved festival and category details, creating a tactile contrast between natural material and luminous surface. This combination elevates the object beyond a traditional trophy, making it feel both contemporary and collectible.

By designing the award to ship flat and assemble post-delivery, the system reduces cost, improves durability in transit, and expands accessibility for a global group of recipients.

The final piece reflects the spirit of deadCenter itself, a festival that celebrates bold, independent storytelling while fostering a strong sense of community among filmmakers.