Project description
“The Last Seed” delves into the pressing issues surrounding food and agriculture in 21st-century Africa. At its core is the struggle for control over seeds, shedding light on the historical processes that have brought us to this pivotal moment and what it will require to harmonize our relationship with the planet without jeopardizing life itself. Through the medium of music, dance, compelling visuals, and the authentic narratives of African small-scale food producers, the film poses two essential questions: What have we forfeited, and who can illuminate a path forward? Experts simplify the complexities of corporate dominance, intertwining science, politics, and economics, while vibrant animations punctuate their insights. Testimonies from agroecological farmers across Africa attest to the sustainability and adaptability of their practices, offering invaluable wisdom. Ending on a hopeful note, the film highlights the resilience of Senegalese women as they rise to safeguard their seeds and indigenous knowledge for the benefit of generations to come.
Project awards
Geneva International Film Festival 2022 – Winner
Black Swan International Film Festival 2022 – winner
Western Canadian International Film Festival – Best Documentary 2022
Cine Paris Film Festival 2023 – winner
Colorado Environmental Film Festival 2022 – best feature documentary
Beyond Border International Film Festival – Winner
Best International Film Festival – Winner
The Environmental Film and Screenplay Festival Los Angeles – Winner
Africa International Human Rights Film Festival
Under Our Skin Festival: International Festival of Human Rights
uMgungundlovu Film Festival 2022
Quotes From Earth 2022
Natourale 2022
Africa International Human Rights Film Festival 2022
ACAMPADOC Panamá 2023
African International Human Rights Film Festival Nigeria 2022
Crossroads Film Festival Austria 2023
Minnesota International Film Festival 2023
Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2023
Aravali International Film Festival 2023
Blacksphere festival 2023
Our approach
Quite Frankly played a pivotal role in shaping the overall packaging, art direction, design, and color grading of “The Last Seed” documentary, each aspect contributing uniquely to the film’s impact and narrative cohesion.
Packaging and Art Direction
Our team meticulously crafted the visual identity and aesthetic direction of the documentary, ensuring that it resonated with the intended audience while effectively conveying the film’s themes and message. From conceptualizing key visual elements to establishing stylistic guidelines, our art direction laid the foundation for the entire creative process, setting the tone for the viewer’s experience.
Design
Leveraging our expertise in graphic design, we brought the documentary to life through compelling visuals and innovative storytelling techniques. Using tools like Illustrator, we designed the graphics for the 12 animations, infusing them with authenticity and cultural resonance. Our designs not only enhanced the narrative flow but also served as powerful visual cues that enriched the viewer’s understanding of complex concepts and themes.
Animation and Motion Design
Quite Frankly brought dynamic energy to the documentary through expert animation and motion design. Using After Effects, we animated the graphics and visual elements, infusing them with fluidity and life. Our motion design expertise ensured seamless transitions and engaging visual storytelling, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Color Grading
Our mastery of color grading techniques in Davinci Resolve ensured that the film maintained a cohesive and visually striking aesthetic from start to finish. By carefully balancing color tones and enhancing visual depth, we heightened the emotional impact of each scene and imbued the film with a sense of cinematic richness. Our color grading expertise played a crucial role in elevating the overall visual quality of the documentary, immersing viewers in its narrative world.
Through our comprehensive approach to packaging, art direction, design, and color grading, Quite Frankly not only enhanced the visual appeal of “The Last Seed” but also played a vital role in shaping its storytelling impact. By seamlessly integrating these elements, we helped create a cohesive and immersive viewing experience that resonated with audiences and amplified the film’s message of sustainability and cultural preservation.
Behind the scenes
See behind the scenes during the production of “The last seed”.
Client
Client – Andréa Gema Films
Collaborators
Grant Franck – Project lead/Creative Director
Lucy Wiles – Producer
Lize-Marie Dreyer – Illustrator
Claire Bowden – Motion Designer/ Compositor
Daniel De Villiers – Color Grading
One Nation Studios – Animation Audio
Process
2D Animation
Illustration
Color Grading
SFX
Software
Illustrator
After Effects
Davinci Resolve
