We are thrilled to officially unveil the stunning movie poster artwork for our upcoming short film, “Nearly Departed!”
Directed by Ashley Maria, “Nearly Departed” follows Charlie and Jules as they are forced back into each other’s lives following the sudden death of their father. Armed with nothing but their father’s ashes, the pair embark on one final road trip through the scenic, sprawling landscapes of Montana to find the perfect resting place to say goodbye.
Collaborating with Fine Artist Sarah Pizzi
To capture the deep emotional core and nuanced themes of the film, we collaborated with fine artist and oil painter, Sarah Pizzi.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Sarah has been honing her craft as an oil painter for over 22 years.
Known for her luminous, ethereal figurative works that beautifully explore human relationships and light, Sarah brought her signature emotional depth to this project.
The Inspiration Behind the Movie Poster Art
For the poster, Sarah hand-painted a breathtaking scene that perfectly mirrors the internal and external journeys at the heart of our story. It depicts the two estranged sisters, Charlie and Jules, sitting on the ground looking out at a stunning sunset over a lake.
Sitting directly between them is Ranger Bear—the vintage, Twin Winton designed cookie jar that acts as a silent third passenger on their journey, carrying the weight of their late father’s memory.
While the sunset casts a beautiful shadow behind the trio, Sarah added a poignant, magical twist: rather than a standard silhouette, the golden hour light reveals a shadow of their father, holding hands with both of his daughters.
Next steps for "Nearly Departed"
“Nearly Departed” is currently tracking toward its final post-production milestones, capturing a poignant snapshot of family, loss, and the ridiculous ways we try to cope when everything falls apart. Be sure to keep an eye out for the unveiling of the movie poster in the coming months, along with this stunning short as it makes its way to the festival circuit next year!
In the meantime, check out more of Sarah’s breathtaking portfolio on her Official Website and follow her process on Instagram.