The film premiered at the One Utah Summit and became the Office’s flagship brand piece for 2024. It continues to be used across national and international outreach efforts, and the shortened broadcast edit aired nationally during the Black Desert PGA Tour, reaching new audiences and expanding Utah’s creative footprint.
Result
Working closely with our production partners, we filmed across Utah to capture both its landscapes and its people — from small-town makers to high-tech innovators. Each sequence was designed to answer the question, “Why Utah?”, through genuine stories and natural beauty.
The edit and score were shaped to build emotional pacing — creating a modern, cinematic portrait of the state that feels both ambitious and deeply personal.
Process
I served as Creative Lead on the project, developing the core concept, writing the script, and defining the tone and narrative arc.
I partnered with an external production team to bring the vision to life — overseeing direction, visual language, and post-production tone. My role centered on ensuring that every creative choice aligned with our brand strategy and reflected Utah’s authenticity and optimism.
Beyond the main film, I personally edited a shorter :30 broadcast version, tailored for the Black Desert PGA Tour national broadcast — adapting the piece’s emotional arc for a broader television audience.
Approach
Challenge
As Utah’s economy matured, our office needed a unifying brand story — something that could emotionally capture what makes Utah special beyond numbers and statistics. The goal was to express “Why Utah?” in human terms — to inspire residents, attract businesses, and strengthen state identity.
Why Utah — Brand Anthem Film
A cinematic brand film created under my direction at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity — celebrating the people, places, and ideas that define why Utah continues to grow and thrive.
Writer / Director / Producer