World of Winter
The winter is alive. This year’s recap film shines a light on the people who bring their warmth, energy, and creativity to the season. Transforming Grand Rapids into a vibrant, joyful, and connected community. Through intimate moments, authentic stories, and a documentary style that celebrates the human spirit, we show how this festival is a reason to embrace winter together.
Event Recap Film
In the colder months, winter often carries a reputation for isolation and stillness. Many avoid the outdoors, missing the magic and connection that the season can offer. While World of Winter has grown into the largest winter festival in the U.S., the real story lies beyond the scale of the event.it’s about how it transforms the way people see and experience winter in Grand Rapids.
The challenge was to create a film that didn’t simply document installations or activities, but that captured the emotional heartbeat of the festival: the individuals who bring their own spark, stories, and presence to light up the coldest time of year.
We approached the project like a living documentary.Focusing on diverse characters whose personalities and energy embody the spirit of World of Winter. By combining intimate interviews with choreographed yet organic moments, we revealed both the personal and communal sides of the festival.
The result is a film that feels nostalgic yet joyful, with visuals that highlight not just the art on display but the human connections it inspires.
Our vision was to treat World of Winter as a story of people rather than just a series of events.The final piece is an invitation: to see winter not as something to endure, but as a season to celebrate. By focusing on acceptance, joy, and slowness, we created a narrative that transforms winter from a backdrop into a character of its own.alive.
Directed by: Miguel Hernandez
Producer: Omar Arredondo
DP: Kenny Acker
Social Media: Avias Cruz
Editor: Miguel Hernandez
World of Winter
The winter is alive. This year’s recap film shines a light on the people who bring their warmth, energy, and creativity to the season. Transforming Grand Rapids into a vibrant, joyful, and connected community. Through intimate moments, authentic stories, and a documentary style that celebrates the human spirit, we show how this festival is a reason to embrace winter together.
Event Recap Film
In the colder months, winter often carries a reputation for isolation and stillness. Many avoid the outdoors, missing the magic and connection that the season can offer. While World of Winter has grown into the largest winter festival in the U.S., the real story lies beyond the scale of the event.it’s about how it transforms the way people see and experience winter in Grand Rapids.
The challenge was to create a film that didn’t simply document installations or activities, but that captured the emotional heartbeat of the festival: the individuals who bring their own spark, stories, and presence to light up the coldest time of year.
We approached the project like a living documentary.Focusing on diverse characters whose personalities and energy embody the spirit of World of Winter. By combining intimate interviews with choreographed yet organic moments, we revealed both the personal and communal sides of the festival.
The result is a film that feels nostalgic yet joyful, with visuals that highlight not just the art on display but the human connections it inspires.
Our vision was to treat World of Winter as a story of people rather than just a series of events.The final piece is an invitation: to see winter not as something to endure, but as a season to celebrate. By focusing on acceptance, joy, and slowness, we created a narrative that transforms winter from a backdrop into a character of its own.alive.
Directed by: Miguel Hernandez
Producer: Omar Arredondo
DP: Kenny Acker
Social Media: Avias Cruz
Editor: Miguel Hernandez
World of Winter
The winter is alive. This year’s recap film shines a light on the people who bring their warmth, energy, and creativity to the season. Transforming Grand Rapids into a vibrant, joyful, and connected community. Through intimate moments, authentic stories, and a documentary style that celebrates the human spirit, we show how this festival is a reason to embrace winter together.
Event Recap Film
In the colder months, winter often carries a reputation for isolation and stillness. Many avoid the outdoors, missing the magic and connection that the season can offer. While World of Winter has grown into the largest winter festival in the U.S., the real story lies beyond the scale of the event.it’s about how it transforms the way people see and experience winter in Grand Rapids.
The challenge was to create a film that didn’t simply document installations or activities, but that captured the emotional heartbeat of the festival: the individuals who bring their own spark, stories, and presence to light up the coldest time of year.
We approached the project like a living documentary.Focusing on diverse characters whose personalities and energy embody the spirit of World of Winter. By combining intimate interviews with choreographed yet organic moments, we revealed both the personal and communal sides of the festival.
The result is a film that feels nostalgic yet joyful, with visuals that highlight not just the art on display but the human connections it inspires.
Our vision was to treat World of Winter as a story of people rather than just a series of events.The final piece is an invitation: to see winter not as something to endure, but as a season to celebrate. By focusing on acceptance, joy, and slowness, we created a narrative that transforms winter from a backdrop into a character of its own.alive.
Directed by: Miguel Hernandez
Producer: Omar Arredondo
DP: Kenny Acker
Social Media: Avias Cruz
Editor: Miguel Hernandez