Graphic designer
Michael Zhang’s poster
selected after global
contest to represent
festival, October 10-21
(Chicago) — Cinema/Chicago and the 54th Chicago International Film Festival announced the winner of 2018’s poster design competition, Chicago’s own Michael Zhang. Zhang’s design will be the signature look of the Festival, held October 10-21, 2018.
Zhang won a truly global contest, which in the past three years has featured winners from Scotland, Taiwan and the Netherlands. His design was chosen from more than 200 submissions spanning 30 countries. The poster depicts the façade of a vintage movie theater, presenting the exciting thrill of a neon-lit marquee and a classic art deco design. This year’s event tagline, “Everybody Loves Movies,” runs across the marquee alongside the Festival’s beloved “eyes” logo. Zhang, a Chicago resident, also incorporated the City of Chicago’s time-honored four-star flag design into the poster.
“I’m honored and so excited to see it in print at the Festival. I’ve been attending the Festival for a few years now, so this really means a lot to me,” Zhang said. “No matter what theater you go to, the excitement of marquee lights are a part of every movie-goer’s experience. For me, the lights were always a sign that I was about to leave the real world behind and get lost in a story on screen. When designing this poster, I wanted to evoke a similar sense of wonder and nostalgia.”
As the winner of the competition, Michael will receive a $2,500 USD prize and his design will be utilized in marketing materials throughout the city, including on the cover of the Festival guide, posters and merchandise.
Zhang is a graphic designer and illustrator living in Chicago. He volunteered at the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival in 2017 and studied graphic design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently freelancing and available for design or illustration work. You can find more of his work by following him on Instagram @mzhangart.
About Cinema/Chicago
Cinema/Chicago, the presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, is a year round non-profit arts and education organization dedicated to fostering better communication among people of diverse cultures through the art of film and the moving image. In addition to the Chicago International Film Festival, Cinema/Chicago’s programs include: International Screenings Program, Chicago International Television Festival, CineYouth Festival, and year-round Education Program. Celebrating its 54th edition October 10-21, 2018, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America’s longest-running competitive film festival.
