Born in Buenos Aires in 1982, Ana Sanfelippo is an illustrator, graphic and pattern designer, typographer, and cat lover.
She studied Design and Typography at the University of Buenos Aires, where she also taught for 14 years. Her books have been published in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, the USA, Spain, the UK, and Switzerland — one of them selected by IBBY among the Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities.
Her illustrations have been shown at the Bratislava Biennial, the Cheltenham Illustration Awards, and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Now based in Valencia, she creates worlds full of nature, movement, and color, populated by curious, joyful characters.

This year your artwork represents the 18th edition of My First Festival. How did the proposal come to you and what inspired you first?
 I received the proposal by email and felt instant joy. It was thrilling to collaborate with such an important cultural project. I’ve always loved cinema, and since becoming a mother, I’ve watched many films with my daughter that had been part of the festival without knowing it. I loved the idea of introducing children to that magical moment in front of the big screen, with films that nurture imagination and emotion in a non-mainstream way.
 When thinking of ideas, I went back to my own childhood — the films I watched over and over again, rewinding tapes, or going to the cinema with my mother. She always fell asleep, but I was mesmerized from start to finish.

The poster feels luminous, with a forest, a reading rabbit, and a book coming to life. How did the idea emerge?
 We discussed classic books that inspired film scripts, and that connection became my starting point. Children’s books are my main source of work, so I began exploring how stories come alive through projected light. Alice in Wonderland felt like a natural reference — a bridge between generations. The reading rabbit invites us into the magical world that cinema creates. It felt like a clear and powerful image.

Your illustrations stand out for their use of color, texture, and movement. What techniques did you use for this poster?
 I work in an analog way, painting by hand. In this case, I used acrylic gouache. I guess I’m a bit romantic in wanting to preserve these traditional methods in an increasingly digital world.

Your work balances craft and digital precision. How do you find that point of equilibrium?
 I try to keep a handmade essence, but my background in graphic design gives me the tools to adapt my work to different formats. It’s all about balancing the emotion of the brushstroke with the clarity of design.

You’ve worked on books, objects, typography, and patterns. What does a project like My First Festival bring to you?
 A lot — because, in a way, it brings everything together. Books have slower processes and storytelling rhythms; a poster, instead, communicates instantly. In a project like My First Festival, visual communication, design, and typography must accompany the illustration to convey one shared emotion. It’s a different kind of challenge and a very exciting one, connected to my own creative world.

What do you hope children will feel when they see the poster for the first time?
 That they want to step into that world — to imagine what the rabbit is reading and what stories his projector-eye is bringing to life.

If you could step into an animated film for a day, which one would you choose?
 Mary Poppins. Maybe because it’s exactly about that: diving into a magical world. They sing, dance, talk to animals — what more could you ask for?

What inspires you most today: books, cinema, or everyday life?
 Today, everyday life. But for a long time, it was books and cinema. My daughter helps me see the world differently. We share books and films together — she helps me rediscover old favorites and find new ones. She inspires me, her curiosity and imagination. And I try to pass on my love for art, cinema, and literature to her. It may sound naïve, but I still believe art is what saves the world.

Is there a film or story character you see as your alter ego?
 Chihiro, maybe. I adore that film. I see a bit of myself in her — curious, a bit shy, but brave. She learns about the world step by step, with wonder and determination.

What film marked your childhood?
 Edward Scissorhands. I first saw it as a kid and it deeply moved me — the colors, the neighborhood, the characters… everything. The story of an outsider trying to belong always touched me. Even now, I find new meanings every time I watch it. It’s, for me, Tim Burton at his best.