By José Alberto Hermosillo
Every year, film festivals create a commemorative poster to celebrate the festival’s culture, heritage, and diversity, and to showcase the newest selected projects to the public. In the festivals where the magic happens, artists travel hundreds of miles to meet the press, other filmmakers, and to hear the public’s opinion about their films, shorts, documentaries, and series.
After three years of the pandemic, audiences returned to theaters in full force. This return inspired creators, artists, and graphic designers to produce numerous colorful pieces that added stunning results to the event.
The festival in LA selected fifty outstanding works from about five hundred entries from around the world as the best film festival posters of 2023.
During the selection process, we followed five basic principles of graphic design: alignment, repetition, contrast, hierarchy, and balance. The key information in the headline, such as order, colors, size, and perspective, plays a crucial role. Other essential factors include focal point, harmony, balance, and positive impact.
In 2023, the posters were colorful and festive. The selection includes lesser-known film festivals, and for the first time in nine years, the most prestigious festivals rose to higher positions on the list, showcasing their excellence to validate their hard work.
This year, the top spot went to award-winning Mexican animator and filmmaker Jorge R. Gutierrez (“The Book of Life”), who created a masterful, vibrant, and joyful piece with elements referencing Día de los Muertos festivities, where the “Cantrina” and many other happy Mexicans ready to mingle arrive at Lake Annecy. It embodies what a film festival is about—a celebration for all.
Cannes 2023 featured a more sophisticated black-and-white design with French actress Catherine Deneuve. Athens’s poster is a vivid explosion of color, art, and passion. San Sebastian paid tribute to one of their own, Academy Award-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem, with a stunning mirror effect and perfect balance.
Venice took us on a journey with an imaginative and colorful project by legendary Italian artist Lorenzo Mattotti, who has appeared twice in this edition and in previous years. The Oscar-qualifying short film festival, HollyShorts in Hollywood, has become a notable new player in the film industry. Berlin’s graphics are outstanding.
Enjoy the remarkable selection of the World’s Best Film Festival Poster 2023.
A N N E C Y
FESTIVAL 2023
INTERNATIONAL DU FILM
D’ANIMATION
ANNECY, FRANCE
This magnificent poster was designed by
Award-winning Mexican artist, animator, & filmmaker,
Jorge R. Gutierrez (“Maya and the Three,” “The Book of Life”).
It symbolizes a “tinajera” boat from Xochimilco, South of CDMX, arriving at Lake Annecy, carrying the Mexicans ready to party.
CANNES
FILM FESTIVAL 2023
PONTENURE, PIACENZA, ITALY
Creation of Hartland Villa (Lionel Avignon, Stefan de Vivies)
from a photo by Jack Garofalo.
The iconic black & white portrait features a passionate & intense
Catherine Deneuve
In the 1968 film “La Chamade” (Heartbeat), directed by Alain Cavalier.
80 MOSTRA INTERNAZIONALE
D’ARTE CINEMATOGRAFICA
LA BIENNALE DI
VENEZIA 2023
VENICE, ITALY
DESIGNED BCinemaNZO MATTOTTICinema on the road.
19th ANNUAL OSCAR-QUALIFYING
HOLLY SHORTS
FILM FESTIVAL
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA
Artwork by Dalton Corr
Creatives from across the world
coming to Hollywood.
71. TRENTO
FILM FESTIVAL
MONTAGNE E CULTURE
TRENTO, ITALY
Artist: Lorenzo Mattotti
The spirit of the mountains & festival’s culture is represented by a
colorful illustration of the white cliffs contrasting with the blue skies
& the green meadows, and above all,
The alpinists are exploring all the corners of the earth.
DONOSTIA ZINEMALDIA 71
SAN SEBASTIAN
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN
DESIGNED BY DIMENSIÓN AGENCY. PHOTOGRAPHIES BY JULIO BUSTOSFeaturing Oscar & Goya Award-winning actor Javier Bardem.
73. BERLINALE
FILM FESTIVAL
BERLIN, GERMANY
Designed by Claudia Schramke
The audience itself.
29 ATHENS
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
ATHENS, GREECE
The Athens poster designed by Vasilis Mexis
CINÉLATINO
REMCONTRES DE TOULOUSE
TOULOUSE, FRANCE
Artist, Ronald Curchod
A Colombian woman looks out of the illuminated window with hope.
LUXOR AFRICAN
FILM FESTIVALLUXOR, EGYPT
Artists: Mahmoud Ismail & Abou Al-Enin
It symbolizes the travels of cinema to the capital of
The Pharaonic Civilization.
ROCKAWAY
FILM FESTIVAL
ROCKAWAY, NEW YORK
Original Artwork by Valentina Gallup Salerni
Inspired by a seashell.
25th THESSALONIKI
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVALTHESSALONIKI, GREECE
Painter & Illustrator: Daniel Egnéus
Inspiration from the heart, literally.
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAMROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Designed by Rens Muis, Studio 75B
The Return of the Tiger
LEMAGIORNATE DEL
CINEMA MUTO 42nd EDITION
PORDENONE SILENT FILM FESTIVAL
PORDENONE, ITALY
Designed by Sonia Delaunay.
Featured dancer Lizica Codreanu, photographed on the set of the silent film
“Le P’tit Parigot” (1926) by René Le Somptier.
19th Fic Monterrey
FESTIVAL
INTERNACIONAL DE CINE
DE MONTERREY
MONTERREY, MEXICO
Graphics by Grupo LVT
Light, movement & gaze.
26 FESTIVAL DE MALAGA
MALAGA, SPAIN
Illustrator & graphic designer: Adán Miranda
“Glance & Emotions.”
BUCHEON
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
BUCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
illustrated by Choi Jee-ook at the creative graphic design studio
Contraflow Inc.,
The project referring to aliens is called “Stay Strange.”
30th SAN DIEGO LATINO
FILM FESTIVAL
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Artist: Soni Lópezcinemaz
A vintage cinema facade with naturalistic Pachamama (Mother Earth)
elements and the returning members of the San Diego
community to the movie theaters.
38th
SANTA BARBARA
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
Artist Patricia Chidlaw
Featuring a magnificent oil painting of the historic Arlington Theater
42nd FESTIVAL DU CINEMA
INTERNATIONAL EN
EBITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE
ROUYN-NORANDA
QUÉBEC, CANADAInspired by the characters of Lola-Lola, played by Marlene Dietrich in the 1930 film The Blue Angel, and Arlette Thomas (Liza Minelli) in the 1972 film Cabaret, Gérard DuBois is an illustrator.
ASWAN
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN
FILM FESTIVAL
2023 EDITION
EGYPT
This magnificent poster design is a reflection of the mixture of the Egyptian,
Arab & Far East Cultures, with Pharaonic & modern elements
integrated harmoniously in the piece.
9th ASIAN WORLD
FILM FESTIVALLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Key Art by Fifth Atrium.
This year’s theme is discovery.
The curtains unveil, layer by layer, the boundless
possibilities of films and the cinematic expression of Asian Cinema.
FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL
DE CINE DE ELCHE
ELCHE, SPAIN
The work of Mario-Paul Martínez centers
on the image of the legendary Hollywood actress
Ava Gardner (“The Night of the Iguana”
The city’s landscape was reflected in her shades.
LOFT
FILM FEST
TUCSON, ARIZONA
Created by Matt McCoy,
Inspired by the cinematic treasures awaiting at this year’s festival.
SEATTLE
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
The campaign & poster by the Global Creative Agency WongDoody
“Enter the MovieVerse.”
THE 25th SHANGHAI
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVALSHANGHAI, CHINA
Embraced all & followed the light.
17. XPOSED
QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
BERLIN
BERLIN, GERMANY
Designed by Marion Habringer.
2023 JAPAN CROATIA
FILM FESTIVAL
ZAGREB, CROATIA &
TOKYO, JAPAN
Graphic designer Ivona Gonzi, Croatia.
She harmoniously combines both countries’ flags and cultural elements,
the Japanese chopsticks & a
popcorn tub with the Croatian flag.
TRIESTE
SHORTS
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
TRIESTE, ITALY
An original & colorful
Concept of short films & breakfast.
SOUTH
INTERNATIONAL SERIES
FESTIVAL
CÁDIZ, SPAIN
Designed by Ana Locking
(National Fine Arts Award-winning fashion designer of 2021).
Symbolism in media.
FJX BAJIO
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
GUANAJUATO, MEXICO
Graphic designer Jorge Antonio Pantoja, Republic Studios.
The image blends the classic portrait of Our Lady of Santa Fe of
Guanajuato with
a collar of flowers embracing empathy for diversity &
welcoming the Honolulú Film Industry as this year’s guest of honor.
76
LOCARNO
FILM FESTIVAL
LOCARNO, SWITZERLAND
Designed by Sarah & Ciaren Diante
The lion embraces change in the world.
46 MILL VALLEY
FILM FESTIVAL
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
The visual design was done by Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners (BSSP).
The vibrant poster reflects the diverse & dynamic nature of the festival.
CORONADO
ISLAND
FILM FESTIVAL
CORONADO, CALIFORNIA
Nick Ferrari, from Brahma Studios
The decaptures the glamour of the red carons aisle.
49 FESTIVAL DE HUELVA
CINE IBEROAMERICANO
HUELVA, SPAIN
Designed by illustrator Laura Pérez Granel.
The evocative & symbolic piece is titled “A Cinematic Moment,”
centers on how art can capture an ephemeral instant.
44 FESTIVAL
INTERNACIONAL DEL
NUEVO CINE
LATINOAMERICANO
LA HABANA, CUBA
Designed by Alejandro Rodríguez Fornés “Alucho”
& Alicia Fundora Rangel
Greenlight, diversity, and “action.”
II PAMPA
DOC FEST
COLONIA SANTA TERESA, PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA
Artist Omar Inzunza,
from the original Ilanit Roth illustration named “Sayén,” a symbol of
perseverance of the native community is crucial in preserving their identity.
EDITION 2023
VENICE, ITALY
Designed by Manuel Fior
The Venetian balconies inspire love as a
cinematic experience.
RENNES MÉTROPOLE
FESTIVAL NATIONAL DU FILM
D’ANIMATION
RENNES, FRANCE
Artist: Quentin Baillieux
A poetic image of an animation film opening cinemaalog
between cinema and illustration.
CONCORTO
FILM FESTIVAL
PONTENURE, PIACENZA, ITALY
Illustration by Fabio Consoli
Depicting the absence of gcinema and time in cinema.
BOGOSHORTS
FESTIVAL
DE CORTOS DE BOGOTÁ
SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
21st EDITION
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
Designed by Juan Estaban Duque. Concept by Jaime E. Manrique.
“Todos los cuerpos, todas las historias/All the bodies, all the stories.”
The tattoos represent the cultures & historical moments
of Santa Lucía as the focal center.
30th
CHICAGO LATINO
FILM FESTIVAL
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
The Award-winning poster by Chenwel Xu
brings audiences back to the movies.
ANIMA
THE BRUSSELS
ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Author and illustrator of children’s books 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
As dusk falls, a giantess is seated as the audience prepares for the show
with some other natural elements in the landscape.
ANIMATION
IS FILM
FESTIVAL 2023
EnergaCAMERIMAGE
31st INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
TORUN, POLAND
Concept by Piotr Jabłoński
The painters reflect the mood of the observed landscape
through the film camera.
36th ISRAEL
FILM FESTIVAL
LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Designed by InSync Plus at The Key Art Print Studio
The Israeli Film and TV Industry is rolling over HoCINEMAd.
RECENT CINEMA FROM
SPAIN
12th EDITION
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Spaniards meet in Florida
32nd FESTIVAL
BIARRITZ AMERIQUE LATINE
CINEMAS & CULTURE
BIARRITZ, FRANCE
Designed by Atelier Mêlé.
The impulse of life as a sign of hope,
highlighting a climbing plant covering the barbed wire, evoking
Latin America’s past and current uncertainties.
MIFFEST
MALAYSIA
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
IBERO
AMERICAN
FILM FESTIVAL
MIAMI
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Poster by Carlotta Cogliati
The Italian designer juxtaposed Miami’s horizon & Art Deco
with Argentinian elements like the flag & tango.
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