Editor’s Note:
In the world of Motion Design and visual storytelling, the F5 Opening Titles aren’t just an intro—they’re the main event. A place where creativity explodes off the screen, where art, design, and raw emotion collide to leave audiences breathless.
This, and the next articles are a celebration of the history, unforgettable images, and future of these iconic sequences, honoring the artists and studios who’ve turned F5 Opening Titles into a global phenomenon.
From jaw-dropping animations to mind-bending visuals, the F5 Opening Titles are a masterclass in how to captivate an audience. They’re not just a prelude to the festival—they’re a statement, a promise that what’s to come will be extraordinary. So, buckle up. This is a dazzling ride full of wonder, surprises, and moments you’ll never forget.
Skip Intro? Not a Chance!
Why are we so obsessed with opening titles? It’s simple: they’re the ultimate gateway from reality to imagination. A great title sequence doesn’t just introduce a story—it pulls you in, wraps you up, and doesn’t let go. Think Saul Bass’s hypnotic spirals or the sweeping, epic map of ‘Game of Thrones’. What started as a functional list of names has evolved into a full-blown art form.
The F5 Opening Titles are the perfect example of this evolution. In a world dominated by ‘Skip Intro’ buttons, they demand attention. They’re a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the sheer joy of making something beautiful. They remind us that sometimes, the unexpected is in the details—and those details are worth savoring.
The Secret Sauce: Why F5 Titles Feel Like Magic
Every year, the premiere of the F5 Opening Titles feels like a special occasion. The kind that makes the entire room hold its breath, a moment of collective excitement and wonder. The lights dim, the screen ignites, and suddenly, the room is instantly transported into another world. It’s a collective exhale, like unwrapping a grand, mysterious gift, with the audience’s audible gasp setting the tone for the festival’s energy.
This isn’t just about watching. It’s about feeling. This shared experience is what makes the F5 Opening Titles so unforgettable. The thrill. The anticipation. The reminder of why we do this. For the artists and studios who take on this challenge, it’s a creative playground, an opportunity to push boundaries, set trends, and create something that will inspire others far beyond the festival.
The Rulebook? There Isn’t One!
What makes these opening titles truly unique are the secrets behind their creation.
The first: the unconventional way the artist or team is chosen. There’s no committee. No pitch process. It all comes down to one person, Carlos El Asmar, founder of Motionographer® and the visionary behind F5. His selection process? Unpredictable, who handpicks the creator in the most unexpected ways.
A chance encounter, like a conversation with a stranger in an airport bar. That could be the moment. A gut feeling? That could be it, too. A moment that will lead to being offered the incredible opportunity to create the festival’s opening titles.
No Rules, Just Vibes: The Creative Playground
The second secret: absolute creative freedom. The only rule? Step out of their comfort zone and create something you’ve never done before. Something you’ve dreamed of but never had the chance, or the nerve, to make real.
This rule drives the titles to break new ground and redefine what’s possible every time. It’s not just about making something beautiful—it’s about making something bold, unexpected, and unforgettable.
The Big Reveal: Trust, Risk, and Collective “Wow” Moment
And the third secret? It’s perhaps the most surprising one. Once the artist is chosen, Carlos walks away. No check-ins. No feedback. No sneak peeks. His first time experiencing the titles is the same as the audience, on the big screen, in that electrified room, as the festival begins.
This approach might sound unbelievable, even absurd—who would entrust such a pivotal project to an artist without any oversight? Is it just an urban legend in the Motion Design industry? Perhaps. Is it risky? Maybe. But that’s what makes the reveal so magical. Whether this process is fact or folklore, it’s become part of the mystique of the F5 Opening Titles.
Their true power lies in their ability to captivate, inspire, and remind us why we fell in love with Motion Design. They are a testament to creativity, trust, and the beauty of the unexpected.
F5 RE:FRESH Opening Tittles | Dvein
It looks like a butcher shop, but it’s actually a behind-the-scenes image from Dvein’s Making Of.
Dvein took F5 audiences on a surreal, hypnotic trip. By fusing organic and digital elements, they created a fluid, dreamlike experience that felt alive—like the animation itself was breathing. Dvein’s artistry struck a perfect balance between the familiar and the otherworldly. The result is a jaw-dropping sequence that cemented Dveins reputation as one of the world’s top Motion Design creators.
These studios didn’t just create titles—they crafted immersive experiences. Each one left a mark on F5, proving that Motion Design is equal parts storytelling and visual sorcery.
How did Dvein blend organic and digital elements, and what inspired the use of surreal, fluid visuals to represent “motion” in the F5 opening titles?
We admired the F5 speakers’ work that year but felt we didn’t really know them as people. It seemed too impersonal to make a video without first connecting, so we emailed them, asking for something personal—an object that inspired or represented them. Their responses were wildly different and surprising, and those objects became the film’s raw material.
How did Dvein incorporate transformation, evolution, and abstract storytelling to align with the F5 Festival’s theme of creativity and innovation?
Once we had the list of objects, we looked for ways to interconnect them. A visual narrative took precedence over a conceptual one—we wanted the film to flow with engaging transitions between objects. But we didn’t overthink it too much, aiming to preserve the spontaneity of their answers.
How did Dvein balance technical precision with artistic experimentation using 3D animation and CGI to achieve a dreamlike quality?
Choosing the right technique to express an idea is essential to us, and that’s exactly what we did. We enjoy using digital media to amplify reality, but if we can shoot something in real life, we do—it feels more human and relatable. An ant, a fish, a dog, a rack of ribs—they all had to be real to provide a solid foundation. Digital elements added the magic and a more contemporary style.
What role did sound design play, and what challenges did Dvein face in synchronizing visuals with the music’s rhythm and tone?
For this film, we collaborated with the geniuses at Antfood. I remember several conversations about music and sound during production, but their approach surprised us—it was fresh and matched the spontaneity of the visuals. They handled most of the synchronization, and I like to imagine them improvising with the video playing in the background to generate the flow before adding details.
How did Dvein’s F5 titles resonate with audiences and industry professionals, and what impact did this project have on their career, showcasing their growth as visionary directors, while underscoring how F5 inspires and connects motion design enthusiasts?
The film had a big media impact, picked up by many blogs and specialized magazines. The creative freedom of the F5 project allowed us to experiment with mixed media and incorporate more live-action footage. We’d never worked with actors before—at F5, we worked with animals. After that, we felt confident enough to start working with people, HAHAHA.
Seeing the F5 speakers’ reactions when they discovered their chosen objects integrated into the film was important to us. They truly felt part of it.
The FRECH BULLDOG, Rita’s standout role in the titles marked her rise to stardom. How was her involvement secured, and what challenges came with working alongside a budding actress?
Rita, the fish, the ant, and the bee were treated with the utmost care. We tied cables to Rita’s body, fearing she might freak out, but she barely moved—she didn’t care at all. We ended up using an umbrella to interact with her and bring out her ‘acting skills’.
Is it an urban legend, or is it true that Carlos El Asmar saw the titles for the first time alongside the audience? What does it feel like to work with that level of trust in your creation and such a strong commitment to delivering flawlessly?
HAHAHA, it’s true. Carlos gave us complete creative freedom and didn’t see the video until the very end.
At the festival, halfway through the event, Carlos pulled us aside. We thought he’d say the opening titles were a disaster, but instead, he said they moved him so much he had to hide to cry.
What’s Next for F5? The Future of Opening Titles Looks Bright
As the F5 Festival continues to grow, so does the legacy of its opening titles. Each year, new artists and studios step up to the challenge, pushing the boundaries of Motion Design and redefining what’s possible. A constantly evolving showcase of creativity that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
The possibilities are endless, and the excitement is palpable. One thing’s for sure: the F5 Opening Titles will always be a festival highlight—a dazzling collision of art, design, and emotion that keeps us coming back for more. So, buckle up. The future of F5 is just getting started, and it’s going to be a wild ride.