Marina Willer Creates Light-Projection Identity for 2026 BFI London Film Festival

Marina Willer, a partner at Pentagram London, crafted the new identity and promotional campaign for the 2026 BFI London Film Festival. To pay tribute to the meticulous art of filmmaking, she utilized projected colored light instead of digital text. The design featured cut-out letters cast onto a dark backdrop, reminiscent of a cinema screen, which were then filmed and photographed. Motion was captured using handheld techniques, suspended letters, and a rotating table, with added digital effects to enhance the letter reveals. Willer, who directed the 2017 documentary Red Trees showcased at Cannes, aimed to address how to honor the cinema experience in an era dominated by streaming. The logo, a simplified version of Norman Engleback's 1957 design for the Royal Festival Hall, was adapted to include light blue—previously unused by major film festivals—alongside deep purple and warm pink for a contemporary feel. Willer emphasized the festival's accessibility, with most tickets available to the public and numerous free events, necessitating a vibrant identity that aligns film with the BFI's curatorial vision.