ReXistence is a film by Will Prosper, produced by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). The documentary explores the hidden realities of injustice faced by many Black Canadian communities. Six Cinquième had the honour of developing the film’s key art, promotional messaging, and teaser trailer.
Composed entirely of archival footage, Rexistence pays tribute to generations of resistance by diving into the collective memory of Black communities. The film stands as a political cry, breaking institutional silence, challenging our relationship to justice, and forcing us to truly see what we’ve long been made to overlook.
Because the film relies entirely on archival footage, (much of it deeply emotional, sometimes shocking) we had to approach the visual and narrative strategy with great care. The NFB needed to ensure that every creative element conveyed the right tone: one that inspired curiosity and urgency while positioning the film as a bold, contemporary cultural work denouncing systemic racism in Canada.
THE SOLUTION
Eye-catching Key Artwork
We anchored the creative direction around the symbol of an eye as a metaphor for both confrontation and revelation. It represents the act of seeing what has been hidden, of confronting uncomfortable truths. Emerging from darkness, the eye evokes buried histories being brought to light. The result is a piece that demands attention: intense, arresting, and impossible to look away from.
THE SOLUTION
Type-driven Teaser Trailer
To respect the sensitivity of the archival footage, we took a typographic approach for the teaser trailer. Big, bold text dominates the screen; flashing, appearing, and disappearing in rapid succession, creating rhythm and intensity that echo the film’s editing style. This approach mirrors the emotional pace of Rexistence : urgent, overwhelming, and deeply moving.
Visually, the trailer extends the film’s identity. A palette of charcoal, red and pastel lime evokes both heat and tension, with charcoal as the grounding backdrop. Quick colour flashes punctuate key moments. Subtle film grain and old-TV textures nod to the archival nature of the footage, blurring the line between past and present. These grainy overlays also help obscure certain sensitive visuals while preserving the emotional charge and impact.
THE RESULT
The teaser trailer and key art successfully captured the film’s spirit and helped generate anticipation for its release.
They were used in promotional campaigns leading up to the intentional and emotionally grounded premiere organized by Never Was Average at the NFB, where conversation and mindfulness practices guided audiences in processing the film’s powerful message.
THE RESULT
“Whoa, the trailer is just incredible! I wasn’t expecting that at all, it’s really well done. Bravo!”
— Will Prosper, Director of Rexistence