Is the world around us fluctuating? Are we adapting ourselves to external changes? Have we already accepted this paradigm shift?
THE NEW WEMW IMAGE BY TONY DEMURO
In this suspended forest scene by Italian illustrator Toni Demuro*, a pondering figure standing by the water dives in the tangled woods of a reality in transition while shedding a light on the changes unfolding within it.
The WEMW 2026 artwork in Toni’s own words: “The image stems from the idea that every transition is a journey in which even what we took for granted begins to change shape, what should be real appears as a reflection of itself. The work suggests that transition is not just a passage, but an opportunity to reexamine ourselves. And it is precisely in the space between who we are and who we are becoming that a new vision, a new possibility, can arise“ .
Demuro’s thought-provoking art-work perfectly envisions this year’s WEMW theme, setting the stage for our new visual identity. We are excited to step into these waters to not only understand how the industry and world around us are changing, but also how we might turn this into an opportunity to question ourselves and where we are heading to.
*ABOUT TONI DEMURO
Toni Demuro is an Italian illustrator and visual artist born in Sardinia in 1974. He graduated in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Sassari, developing a poetic and minimalist style known for its dreamlike atmosphere, symbolic use of nature, and refined color palette. His illustrations have accompanied editorial projects for major international clients such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Penguin Books, Vanity Fair, Corriere della Sera, and Mondadori. In the publishing world, he has created book covers and picture books—particularly in the French market—earning several awards. Alongside his editorial work, he has designed numerous posters for jazz festivals, literary events, and cultural gatherings, combining visual storytelling with a distinctive graphic sensibility. His work stands out for its ability to convey emotion and imagination with both lightness and depth.
WEMW 2026 is organised by the FVG Audiovisual Fund, in collaboration with the Trieste Film Festival and EAVE, and thanks to the precious and constant support of Creative Europe MEDIA, MIC - Direzione Generale per il Cinema, CEI – Central European Initiative, Catalan Films, Film Center Serbia, CICLIC - Centre-Val de Loire Region and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The 2026 East & West Focus is made possible thanks to the support of FFA - German Federal Film Board, German Films, AUSTRIAN FILMS, Swiss Films, Estonian Film Institute, Lithuanian Film Center, National Film Centre of Latvia in cooperation with ABA - Film in Austria, Cine Tirol Film Commission, Cinéforom, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Hessenfilm&Medien, kreativland.tirol, MEDIA Desk Suisse, MFG Baden-Württemberg, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM), Switzerland Film Commission and Zürcher Filmstiftung.
Inspirational Labs & Film x Games Connection Hub partners: ACE Producers, CEE Animation Workshop, ESoDoc, EURODOC, Fantastic Film Forum of the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, International Screen Institute, Investors Circle - Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, MIDPOINT Institute, SpielFabrique.
Inspirational Labs supporters: Albanian National Center of Cinematography, ACAU - Agencia del Cine y el Audiovisual del Uruguay, CNC Moldovan National Film Center, Cyprus Cinema Office, Film Center of Montenegro, Film Commission Vallée d’Aoste, Fondazione Sardegna Film Commission, Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, ICAA - Film and Audiovisual Arts Institute, IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol, North Macedonia Film Agency, Polish Film Institute, Projecto Paradiso, RE-ACT, Toscana Film Commission, Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds.
