I had the privilege of serving as one of the lead organizers for Pepperdine University's annual ReelStories Film Festival. RSFF 2024 was particularly meaningful as we celebrated the festival’s 15th anniversary. To mark this milestone, I proposed the theme: "Storytelling is Connection," honoring the past fourteen years while inspiring excitement for the future. Through a curated selection of films, we highlighted storytelling's power to connect all aspects of life.

I brought this vision to life by designing a logo that embodies the idea of ‘looking ahead while honoring our roots.’ I incorporated an old film roll in motion to symbolize progress, paired with the Lastica font to create a visual identity that feels both forward-looking and nostalgic.

Once the visual branding was complete, my team and I launched a filmmaker submission package and hosted a Soirée, where aspiring filmmakers networked and learned about the festival. We also assembled a panel of industry professionals to inspire and mentor Soirée attendees.

After receiving the film submissions, we formed a selection committee of three industry experts to help us curate the final short stories lineup. Our team conducted interviews with selected filmmakers, weaving clips of these conversations into the event as a way to introduce each film.

In preparation for the awards ceremony, we recruited a team of 19 judges to evaluate the films in categories such as Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Acting, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, the Impact Award, and Audience Choice Award—all announced during the festival.

Since this was a milestone year, I spearheaded efforts to reconnect with alumni, including festival founders, past judges, and former coordinators. These efforts resulted in just the VIP area of 100+ guests.

I also collaborated closely with the marketing team, designing many of the visuals myself to ensure a cohesive campaign. Beyond programming and creative duties, I oversaw logistics, food, vendors, university compliance, budget allocation, and signature experiences such as a red carpet entrance, an ice sculpture centerpiece, and a 360-degree video booth.

Finally, I had the honor of welcoming a packed main auditorium, introducing the event and films on stage, and concluding the evening by presenting the awards to the talented filmmakers—making the 15th annual ReelStories Film Festival a truly unforgettable celebration.