When the Maia International Film Festival approached Dotgraf to design the identity for its second edition, we knew this was a project worth taking on. Fresh off our work with Seiva Trupe in Porto, we embraced the challenge, crafting a visual language that speaks to the very essence of cinema: sequence.

Technology changes, aesthetics evolve, but at its core, film remains a sequence of images, brought to life by sound—an alchemy that turns light and movement into magic. That idea guided our design. A visual rhythm composed of film reels, projection elements, and abstract representations of sequence, sound, and the pixel—an acknowledgment of today’s cinematic innovations, where an entire film can be shot on a smartphone.

The result? A poster that balances bold geometry with a rich palette of deep oranges and burgundy. Typography plays its part, grounding the design while keeping the energy intact. Beyond the poster, we extended this vision across a full suite of festival materials, from billboards to ID badges, ensuring a cohesive and unmistakable identity.

Design isn’t decoration—it’s storytelling. And here, the story is film itself.