The San Diego Latino Film Festival invites artists to design its 33rd-edition poster for a $1,500 prize.
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Latino Film Festival is calling for submissions from artists interested in designing the official poster for its 33rd edition. The winning designer will receive $1,500 and have their work become the official face of the March event, while 10 finalists will each receive a film pass to the festival.
“The festival is always about celebrating the diversity of the Latino community,” said Ethan Van Thillo, Executive Director and Founder of Media Arts Center San Diego and the San Diego Latino Film Festival.
A panel of judges, including artists, graphic designers, educators, and marketing professionals, will evaluate each submission based on specific criteria. Previous winning designs have been notably colorful and celebratory of Latino culture and film.
Van Thillo emphasized the importance of designs that authentically represent the community’s values.
“Different elements celebrating the culture, celebration, color, art, music, film, you name it, make it a wonderful display of all things Latino that really exemplifies and celebrates the community,” said Van Thillo.
Designers should ensure their work conveys a clear and original message. Van Thillo encouraged artists to consider the broader context of Latino representation in media.
“To this day, we’re still fighting negative stereotypes in mainstream media. We still are fighting to get more Latinos in front of the cameras and behind the cameras, so possibly think about that message too that you want to portray in that poster,” said Van Thillo.
A critical rule prohibits artificial intelligence-generated submissions, with any AI work resulting in immediate disqualification.
“Things are going so quickly with the AI obviously, but we really thought it was really important to have artists keep the human aspect, and we want to see stuff that’s drawn and painted. We want to see graphic designers, photographers,” said Van Thillo.
Poster design submissions need to be done by Dec. 10. For more information and to submit entries, visit filmfreeway.com