The Krakow Film Festival, which is accompanied by the INSIDER theme for the second time, has just received a new visual identity. It was created by Przemek Dębowski, who – to emphasise the festival’s thematic and artistic diversity – designed the main poster in 5 colour variants.
Throughout over 60 years of its existence, the Krakow Film Festival has let viewers enter hidden, often intimate worlds; it invites them on a journey into the heart of events, revealing the fascinating undercurrents of everyday life. Focusing on documentaries and short films from around the world allows us to peer, as through a lens, into the stories of individual people and selected moments, often against the backdrop of historic events. The attempt to encapsulate the character and nature of the festival in a single – broad and multifaceted – word led to the term ‘INSIDER’. This year we asked Przemek Dębowski, a Krakow-based graphic designer, for his own interpretation.
The slogan INSIDER was a trigger for various meanings for me. It signifies penetration, exploration, understanding, and insight. It seemed appropriate and obvious to visually demonstrate the desire to delve into the essence. And since we are talking about a film festival, it beautifully merged with the image of an auditorium. I tried to incorporate these two areas into my design – says the author.
The 64th edition of the Krakow Film Festival is a culmination of many years of artistic tradition. For decades, these posters have been created by renowned Polish film posters designers. Barbara Orlicz-Szczypuła, President of the Krakow Film Foundation – the festival’s organiser – says:
Inviting new people, bringing them onto the KFF team, is a fun adventure that brings us great joy. Sometimes you have to take some risks, since we don’t interfere with proposed artistic concepts. But it’s also a great opportunity because KFF posters are usually recognisable and widely commented on. We would very much like it to be the same this time as well.
This concept marks a return to the roots. To conceptual, visual posters, which I quietly dreamed of. But also – after the pandemic and the streaming boom – to cinemas, to experiencing films together – adds Krzysztof Gierat, the festival’s director.
To step into such shoes is a challenge, especially considering that some of the best creators out there came before me; it’s enough to mention Kuba de Barbaro and Kuba Sowiński, who created memorable posters that set the direction for future designs. Confronting such a legacy is a challenge, but on the other hand, it’s also great fun – adds Przemek Dębowski.
Przemek Dębowski – graphic designer, co-owner of the Karakter publishing house, and this year also the author of the Krakow Film Festival’s ‘_insider’ visual concept. The creatives in various formats will soon be displayed in Kraków and other Polish cities.
During the 64th Krakow Film Festival, you will be able to purchase a limited, collector’s edition of _insider posters designed by Przemek Dębowski.
Festival passes are on sale now!
Krakow Film Festival is on the exclusive list of qualifying events for the Oscars® in the categories of short film (live action, animated, documentary) and documentary feature, as well as a recommending event for the European Film Awards in the same categories.
The 64th Krakow Film Festival will be held in cinemas from 26 May to 2 June and online on KFF VOD from 31 May to 16 June 2024.