Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival Director Simon Foster reveals this year's poster design by local artist Heavy Mental Art.
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Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival x Heavy Mental Art Collaboration
Earlier today, Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival Director Simon Foster teased a first look at this year’s poster for this year’s instalment. Created by Sydney-based artist Keith Stanley, who Oz Comic Con/Supanova punters will instantly recognise as Heavy Mental, the poster boasts a spawling cosmic design of radiant blues and purples. A design that imagines a Saturn-like gaseous giant, six moons in orbit and the planet’s ring made of a film reel.
But it’s the ancient city in the poster’s design which immediately steals your attention. When you zoom in on the city you’ll note iconic Sydney landmarks like The Opera House, The Harbour Bridge and even Westfield Tower. It’s basically Sydney CBD in space. For all its grand sights and unique aesthetics.
“I had a blast creating this year’s Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival poster artwork,” says Stanley. “Science fiction has inspired audiences, artists and filmmakers throughout history, so I wanted to capture that sense of imagination and wonder in my own illustrative style, creating something that would pull you into a different world. I hope the artwork celebrates the genre and gets people excited for everything the festival has to offer.”
2026 Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival Poster by Heavy Mental Art
The poster was commissioned by Foster to advertise 2026’s eponymous event but also celebrate it’s 6-year history.
“Keith has an eye for the fantastic that made him the artist that I wanted above all others for this year’s poster design,” says Foster. “The extraordinary work he has done to date, designs that see him held in the highest regard in the pop-art community, exhibit a unique perspective that complements the types of films we program. His poster design is a singularly breathtaking work of speculative sci-fi.”
2026’s Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival will be held October 9th-11th at Event Cinemas George Street. For more details, head to this Facebook event.
