Frender’s New Documentary Era

At Frender, we've always believed visual effects are more than just eye-catching elements for commercials and music videos— they're powerful storytelling tools. Today, we're excited to announce an expansion into the captivating world of documentary cinema, a realm where visual effects amplify truth, enhance authenticity, and help bring resonant, meaningful stories to audiences worldwide.

One of our recent collaborations, "Wick Is Pain" produced in partnership with Lionsgate and featuring Keanu Reeves, beautifully demonstrates this new direction. Directed by Chad Stahelski, the project thoughtfully explores complex emotions through carefully crafted visual elements. Here, our visual effects served as an integral storytelling component, subtly enriching the narrative without overshadowing its powerful core.

Further highlighting our documentary credentials, two standout projects featuring Frender's visual effects have been officially selected for the prestigious Tribeca Festival 2025, an influential event celebrated globally for showcasing bold, independent cinema. This recognition strongly underscores our commitment to impactful storytelling through visual excellence.

"VICTORY," starring legendary hip-hop icon Slick Rick, transcends traditional documentary storytelling to become a cinematic celebration of resilience, culture, and artistic legacy.

Our visual effects team meticulously aligned every frame with the vibrant essence of Slick Rick's iconic narrative, ensuring that visuals enhanced rather than eclipsed the power of the storytelling.

An emotional high point of the festival, Still Free TC offered a rare and intimate look into the life of Ty Dolla $ign as he created a new album while navigating the pain of his brother Gabriel’s 67-year prison sentence.

Over the course of two years, the documentary captures behind-the-scenes moments in the studio, candid reflections on justice and family, and the subtle but powerful creative process of one of music’s most versatile artists. The film is distinguished by its dreamy aesthetic, emotional depth, and refusal to lean into spectacle — choosing instead to highlight vulnerability, grief, resilience, and love.

Additionally, "Still Free TC," an emotionally charged documentary centered around Ty Dolla $ign, courageously explores profound themes of family, justice, and freedom. In this deeply personal project, our visual effects were intentionally subtle yet profoundly effective, thoughtfully crafted to reinforce the emotional resonance of each moment. By integrating these visuals carefully and thoughtfully, we deepened the viewer's connection with the narrative's heart.

Being selected for the Tribeca Festival 2025 isn't simply a professional achievement for us at Frender; it's a testament to the way we approach our craft. Every visual effect we produce is driven by respect for the story’s integrity, empathy for its characters, and consideration for its audience. We firmly believe visual effects have the power to communicate meaningful narratives with authenticity and emotional depth.