<![CDATA[The representation of grief in audiovisual media has traditionally been examined through narrative, semiotic, and psychological perspectives. However, limited attention has been given to how visualmetaphors of grief are systematically designed and developed throughout the filmmaking process. This study addresses this gap through a practice-based investigation of Bintang Fajar, a short filmthat explores the emotional journey of a young girl coping with the death of her fisherman father. The research aims to develop a conceptual framework explaining how visual storytelling canfacilitate the representation of grief recovery through cinematic production. This study employed a Practice-Based Research approach in which creative production functioned as both the researchmethod and research outcome. Data were generated through field observations in the coastal fishing community of Cisolok, iterative script development, creative experimentation, film production, and reflective evaluation. The findings reveal that visual symbols, dream sequences, and character transformation operate as interconnected narrative mechanisms that guide audiences through the protagonist’s emotional progression from loss to acceptance. The study proposes the Visual Storytelling of Grief Recovery Framework consisting of grief experience, visual metaphor construction, emotional confrontation, character transformation, and acceptance. The framework contributes to creative media scholarship by demonstrating how film production can generate theoretical knowledge through artistic practice.]]>
