The Sun Bear Documentary Poster Design Challenge
deadline
10 january 2026
poster
Participate in the competition
About Competition

We invite artists to create the alternate poster for the documentary film Itam: A Sun Bear Story.

The film follows the journey of a rescued bear named Itam, released back into the Borneo rainforest.

Watch the trailer on VK or YouTube.

The Story & Core Theme

Itam: A Sun Bear Story is a meditation on vulnerability and the value of a single life. It depicts a bear’s rescue, rehabilitation, and uncertain release, raising urgent questions about protection and responsibility in our fragile natural world. As sun bear populations face critical decline due to habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change, Itam’s story becomes a powerful reminder of both individual resilience and the systemic threats facing this endangered species across Southeast Asia.

Director’s Message

When I first stood in the heavy humid stillness of the Borneo rainforest and watched a bear named Itam disappear into the trees, something in me changed. She had been rescued, rehabilitated and trained for years, a journey that required significant financial resources, time and human dedication. Yet the moment she stepped into the wild, there was no certainty she would survive even her first night. That vulnerability struck me deeply. So much had been invested to give one life a second chance, and with a single wrong turn, everything could be lost.

Instead of feeling discouraged, I found purpose.

This is why I chose to make this documentary. I wanted to share the story of a bear, but more importantly, I wanted to confront a difficult truth. The more fragile a life is, the more urgently it needs protection. At a time when our natural ecosystems are being damaged faster than they can heal, Itam’s journey invites us to reflect on how we value a single life and the natural world that shelters it.

For me, sustainability is not simply a policy matter. It is a deeply emotional and moral responsibility. This documentary shows the quiet perseverance of the people who cared for Itam, their compassion, their belief and their willingness to fight for a small and often forgotten creature. Through their efforts, the film asks whether we as a society are willing to show the same commitment to the planet that supports us.

Creative Direction & Mood

Participants are encouraged to create a poster based solely on their own interpretation of the trailer. There are no rules, no stylistic restrictions, and no required themes.

You are free to follow whatever direction feels right: emotional, conceptual, minimalistic, bold, symbolic, realistic, experimental, or completely unexpected.

Your poster should reflect your personal response to the trailer: what caught your attention, what stayed with you, and how you imagine the world of the film. All creative perspectives are welcome.

AI-generated content of any kind will not be accepted.

Prizes & Recognition

post

First Place The winner will receive a fully sponsored trip to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia — the very place where the documentary was filmed. The prize includes 4 days and 3 nights of guided visits, exclusive behind-the-scenes access, and the opportunity to learn directly from conservation experts.

Shortlist Recognition All shortlisted posters will be showcased as official Sun Bear merchandise — including postcards and promotional materials — used by the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to support their fundraising efforts. Shortlisted creators will receive full credit, and their work will contribute to a real, meaningful cause.

*Photo by Pat Whelen

Dates & Deadlines

Submission period opens: December 10, 2025

Submission deadline: January 11, 2026

Winners announced: January 20, 2026

Inspirational Quote

post

«My hope is that the film reminds viewers that every fragile life, whether it is an animal, a tree or a clear stream of water, is essential to our collective future.»

— Raymond Tan, director

Eligibility

This competition is open exclusively to current students of HSE Art and Design School and the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.

Contact us

Competition organized by: HSE Art and Design School, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, and Brainchild Pictures.

E-mail: info@dafes.net

Participate in the competition
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