New York Film Festival poster designed by John Waters

Director to present Art Movie Hell at the Drive-In

by Anne-Katrin Titze

John Waters is the designer of the 58th New York Film Festival poster and is presenting Art Movie Hell at the Drive-In
John Waters is the designer of the 58th New York Film Festival poster and is presenting Art Movie Hell at the Drive-In Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

Film at Lincoln Center revealed today the 58th New York Film Festival poster, featuring Martin Scorsese, Pedro Almodóvar, Barry Jenkins, Agnès Varda, and Jean-Luc Godard. The poster was designed pre-pandemic by John Waters. He also selected two films for his John Waters Presents: Art Movie Hell at the Drive-In, Gaspar Noé’s Climax and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Salò, or the 120 Days Of Sodom.

58th New York Film Festival poster designed by John Waters
58th New York Film Festival poster designed by John Waters

“Waters’s NYFF58 poster is both a fond tribute and witty parody of the historic festival, poking fun at the long-held stereotypes, valid critiques, and presumed pomp and circumstance of the annual Lincoln Center event. The concept was developed before the current health crisis, in collaboration with and inspired by Globe Poster, the legendary press of Waters’s hometown. Founded in 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, Globe Poster delivered eye-catching posters to promote concerts, drag races, circuses, carnivals, and more. Fluorescent colours, bold wood type, and lettering that shook and shimmied defined Globe’s iconic style, attracting clients from James Brown and Marvin Gaye to Tina Turner and the Beach Boys. Waters’s design stands in stark contrast to the current realities of city life and moviegoing with a much-needed sense of humour—there will be no waiting in line amongst intellectuals at this year’s unique festival!”

On the design, John Waters said, “Since none of my films were ever chosen to be in the New York Film Festival, I was thrilled to be asked to design this year’s poster. I always knew I’d get my ass in there somehow! What better way to show my respect and irreverence for this prestigious event than to bring along Globe Poster, Baltimore’s famous press that promoted the best rock-and-roll shows all over America for decades? Trashy? Classic? Maybe it’s all the same in 2020 when we have to reinvent moviegoing itself.”

The colour layers of the NYFF58 poster will be silkscreen printed, and the black text and images will be letterpress printed—employing a signature combination that Globe has used for decades—on Cougar 130lb natural paper.

The 2020 New York Film Festival runs from September 17 through October 11, 2020

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