For the past several years the Arlington International Film Festival has collaborated with Robert Maloney’s Experimental Illustration Techniques class to illustrate the image for their 2021 film festival poster. This year Elena Mathis’ piece was chosen as the winning design.

Mathis’s poster creates a strong connection with the viewer while the bird takes center stage, making direct eye contact and spreading his feathers to announce the festival. The bird carries an olive branch in its talons, an ambassador of peace.

Here’s what Elena had to say about the creation of her poster. “My poster is inspired by the theme of documentaries. In particular, nature documentaries about birds with ridiculous courtship dances who always seem to love showing off for the camera.”

When the festival launches this November, a second Audience Choice winner will be announced. Click here to vote for your favorite poster!

Below is a gallery of all of the submissions.