A global creative competition by HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL x Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), inviting communication designers and illustrators to reimagine Russian and Indonesian films through alternative posters.
Reframing the Screen
Explore Russian and Indonesian films from the watchlists and create alternative posters that capture their essence. Watch the movies, interpret their stories, and bring your vision to life.
There are two categories:
- Russian Watchlist (for ITS students) - Indonesian Watchlist (for HSE students)
Both follow the same guidelines. Scroll to the «Competition Guidelines» section.
Please note that the competition is exclusively open to HSE and ITS students aged 18 and older.
Russian Watchlist (for ITS students)
- Russian Ark (2002, Aleksandr Sokurov) A 19th-century French aristocrat, known for his scathing memoirs about Russia, journeys through the Hermitage Museum, meeting historical figures from over 200 years. Aleksandr Sokurov’s Russian Ark is an experimental masterpiece, blending art history with a unique one-take Steadicam shot through the iconic St. Petersburg museum.
- Brother (1997, Aleksey Balabanov) The most iconic film of post-Soviet Russia, it reflects a decade marked by newfound freedom and socio-economic instability. Alexey Balabanov’s masterpiece was celebrated by audiences and critics alike —some viewed the protagonist as a Robin Hood-like hero, while others saw him as a lost generation symbol, grappling with PTSD and resorting to violence.
- The Return (2003, Andrey Zvyagintsev) In the Russian wilderness, two brothers grapple with conflicting emotions when their father, known only through a single photograph, reappears. The Return is a hallmark of Russia’s «new quiet generation» cinema, known for its slow pace and cold, minimalist style. This debut by Andrey Zvyagintsev captures the tension in relationships and visual storytelling.
- Piter FM (2006, Oksana Bychkova) This is a simple but very tender and romantic story about a telephone romance between two young and creative people. He is an architect; she is a radio jockey. In the mid-2000s, Piter FM became the most successful, truly hit romcom, inheriting the best traditions of the Khrushchev Thaw Soviet cinema.
- Night Watch (2004, Timur Bekmambetov) A fantasy-horror set in 2000s Moscow, where the forces of day and night clash in an epic battle. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Russia’s first true blockbuster is based on Sergei Lukyanenko’s novel. The film blends supernatural elements and high-quality special effects with everyday life in Moscow, sparking a small franchise.
- My Killer (2016, Kostas Marsan) A young detective in Yakutia investigates a seemingly simple murder case, only to uncover a dangerous world of illegal mining and gold trafficking. In recent years, Sakha (Yakutia) has become a notable force in Russian cinema, with filmmakers specializing in horror and thrillers. Initially focused on local audiences, their films are now gaining popularity across Russia. Kostas Marsan’s film is one of the movement’s pioneers.
- Major Grom: Plague Doctor (2021, Oleg Trofim) Supercop Grom battles crime in St. Petersburg, facing a vigilante who targets the powerful who’ve escaped justice. Based on the popular comic book about Major Igor Grom, this film is one of Russia’s recent hits. Its gripping story is complemented by stunning production design, blending St. Petersburg’s architecture with a Batman-inspired cityscape.
- Why Don’t You Just Die! (2018, Kirill Sokolov) Andrei, a detective and terrible father, gathers a troubled group in his apartment: his resentful daughter, an angry thug, and a betrayed cop. Each seeks revenge. Kirill Sokolov is often compared to Quentin Tarantino for his brutal violence and ironic tone, as well as to animation for the artificiality of the violence. Sokolov explores the theme of family trauma, using exaggerated violence to highlight emotional wounds.
- Haulout (2022, Maksim and Evgenia Arbugaev) A man waits in his Arctic hut to witness a rare natural event, but ocean warming threatens its occurrence. Haulout is a Russian documentary by sibling filmmakers Evgenia, a renowned photographer, and Maxim, a feature film director. This quiet, meditative film has won multiple awards for its stunning cinematography and breathtaking landscapes.
- Fall (2022, Vadim Kostrov) In Nizhniy Tagil, 10-year-old Vadim moves to a new district as summer fades into autumn. Vadim Kostrov, a young director from the Urals, creates experimental films where minimal events unfold, like a long sunset. Through his personal lens, Kostrov captures the unchanged locations of his childhood, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia.
Competition Guidelines
- Register, upload your photo, and add your bio.
- Each participant must upload at least 6 projects: either 6 posters for one movie or 3 posters for each of two movies.
- Poster size: 70×100 cm. Upload in JPEG format (minimum 150-200 dpi): File naming: Name_Institution_Title
- Each project must include a title and description.
- Don’t forget to add tags. Required tag: poster Additional tags: movie poster, its x hse art and design school
The Prizes
There are three prize places in each nomination:
Russian Watchlist: - 1st Place: An opportunity to visit Russia and host a poster exhibition in Saint Petersburg (travel and accommodation covered)
- 2nd Place: TBD - 3rd Place: TBD
Indonesian Watchlist: - 1st Place: An opportunity to visit Indonesia and host a poster exhibition in Surabaya (travel and accommodation covered)
- 2nd Place: TBD - 3rd Place: TBD
Key Dates ✍️
- Submission Deadline: March 28, 2025
- Voting Begins: April 7, 2025 - Shortlist Announcement April 11, 2025 - Winner Announcement: By April 14, 2025
The Jury Panel
Felipe Taborda — Chair of the Jury Panel Graphic designer from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with studies at Rio’s Catholic University, the London International Film School, the New York Institute of Technology, and the School of Visual Arts. A professor at UniverCidade/RJ, he has run his own studio since 1990, focusing on cultural, publishing, and recording projects. He has curated notable projects like Brazil Designs for Print magazine, 30 Posters on Environment and Development at Eco’92, and The Image of Sound. His work is featured in Graphic Design for the 21st Century, Logo Design, and Latin American Graphic Design, published by Taschen.
Dr. Rahmatsyam Lakoro, S.Sn., M.T. — Called Ramok. Lecturer at Department of Visual Communication Design — ITS. Professional designer and researcher fields are social campaigns, games, corporate branding and visual culture as well. Ramok has won several competitions in the Public Communication Campaign held by Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Technology and also Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
Mitya Kharshak — Designer, Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of the PROJECTOR — an international design and visual arts media, focusing primarily on research of national design schools. Dean of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL — Saint Petersburg. Graduated from the Saint Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design, followed by postgraduate studies in Art and Architecture Theory and History at the same institution. He also interned and taught at the Berlin University of the Arts.
Rabendra Yudistira Alamin, S.T., M.Ds. — Permanent faculty at Visual Communication Design Department ITS Surabaya. Accustomed to handling projects in the fields of illustration, games, visual books, posters and comics. He has won several competitions, including the 2012 Indonesian National Comic Competition held by the Indonesian Government.
Igor Gurovich — Academic Director of HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL — Yerevan, head of the joint bachelor’s program between HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. Graphic artist, poster designer, co-founder of the design bureau Ostengruppe, participant in international competitions and biennales, and laureate of prestigious professional awards.
Naufan Noordyanto — Lecturer at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya — Indonesia, in Departement of Visual Communication Design (VCD). Researcher in combining graphic design, typography, illustration, and socio-cultural approaches. Award-winning graphic designer with over 200 international exhibitions in 47 countries. Actively involved in the local art communities. Master of Art in majoring VCD from Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta (Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta).
Yuri Gulitov — Graphic designer, participant in international exhibitions, and laureate of professional competitions. Head of the Poster Lab and teacher at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in Moscow. Founder and head of Gulitovdesign studio. Member of the Russian Union of Artists and the Russian Union of Designers. Former Art Director at Kommersant newspaper, Creative Director at MS Advertising agency, winner of professional competitions, and participant in international and Russian exhibitions.
Nikita Shilikov is the head of the Representative Office of 'Rossotrudnichestvo' in Indonesia.
Meet Our Partner
Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) is a leading Indonesian university in science and technology, offering 33 undergraduate programs, 6 vocational programs, and a wide range of master’s and doctoral degrees.
With 20 International Undergraduate Programs (IUP), ITS holds international accreditations from IABEE and ABET, along with 16 AUN-QA certifications. The institute partners with over 360 institutions across 52 countries and is expanding its academic focus to include arts, business, and development studies.
ITS Surabaya student Audyarahma Takha has been named the winner of the 2024 WOWMOSCOW International Short Video Competition, discovering cities through visual storytelling.
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