Porto, Portugal / May 30 – June 2, 2023
Multiplex
2023
Visual identity for an annual film festival organized by Universidade Lusofona together with Batalha Centro de Cinema and Espaco Mira. The 2023 edition was dedicated to the work of Sara Driver, a director, screenwriter and producer from the New York independent film scene.
In collaboration with Ivan Vecerka · 1st place in the competition
Universidade Lusofona · Batalha Centro de Cinema · Espaco Mira
01. About the project
Street energy
The core of our project was the festival poster. Its look drew on the energy of street art, the New York underground of the '80s and the expressive style of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
We wanted the visuals to match the festival's film program: the artist's chaotic expression combined with a clear graphic composition.
The event was co-organized by Sara Driver and her husband, Jim Jarmusch, together with Universidade Lusofona and Batalha Centro de Cinema.
1st place
Out of 8 teams
Team
Gabriela Osóbka & Ivan Vecerka
Theme
Sara Driver & Basquiat
Date
May 30 – June 2, 2023
02. In the city
The poster in context
The festival poster in a real-world setting: a bus stop in Porto. Designed for large format and legibility from a distance, while keeping the expressive character of the typography.
03. Festival program
4 days of cinema
The festival featured film screenings, a masterclass with Sara Driver, an exhibition of student work and special sessions, all with free admission.
May 30
Batalha Centro de CinemaBoom for Real - The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat
2017, 78' (with the director in attendance)
May 31
Universidade Lusofona / Batalha Centro de CinemaSara Driver masterclass
+ Bowery - Spring, 1994, 10'
Sleep Walk
1986, 75' (with the director in attendance)
When Pigs Fly
1993, 94' (with the director in attendance)
June 1
Batalha Centro de CinemaYou Are Not I, 48' + Strummer, 1993, 30'
introduced by Marco Ferreira
Stranger than Rotterdam with Sara Driver + Stranger than Paradise
Jim Jarmusch (89'), introduced by Pedro Flores
June 2
Espaco Mira / Batalha Centro de CinemaExhibition opening
Finalists of the Bachelor's in Audiovisual and Multimedia Communication
Special session: Student films
Bachelor's in Audiovisual and Multimedia Communication
Printed festival program
4
Festival days
8
Teams in the competition
3
Venues
1
Place in the competition
04. Artistic context
Basquiat and the underground
Sara Driver
A director, screenwriter and producer from the New York independent film scene. Her documentary 'Boom for Real' about Jean-Michel Basquiat was the centerpiece of the festival, telling the story of the artist's early years against the backdrop of New York culture in the '80s.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Basquiat's expressive style (the raw energy of graffiti, spontaneous typography and chaotic composition) became the main visual inspiration for the poster. References to street art and the New York underground run through the entire project.
Winning the competition
Eight two-person teams from art and design programs took part in the competition for the festival's visual identity. Our project with Ivan Vecerka won first place and was officially used to promote the event.
05. Visual system
Festival palette
Deep black
Mint green
Light mint
Poster white
Anthracite
The color palette follows the look of the poster: a high-contrast pairing of deep black and mint green, inspired by the raw energy of street art while nodding to the tradition of independent cinema.
Note
The visual identity for Multiplex 2023 was created for a student competition at Universidade Lusofona in Porto. The project was co-authored with Ivan Vecerka. The poster and graphic materials were officially used to promote the event. All rights to the festival belong to its organizers.