The film festival that focuses on design makes its comeback this September with eight film screenings on fashion, art, music and more
Now showing: not your average flick on the silver screen! A Design Film Festival, presented by Anonymous, returns to Singapore for its sixth year from 3 to 11 September with a thoughtfully curated medley of eight films on fashion, art, music and more. So broaden your horizons while you’re feeding your culture vulture with these films that document various tales and cultures of all walks of life at Capitol Theatre and Shaw Lido.
What is A Design Film Festival (DFF)?
Started in 2010 in Singapore by design studio, Anonymous, DFF is the first film festival that is centered around design. The festival typically features selected films with emphasis on design and its subcultures. Having journeyed to more than 10 cities including New York, Bangkok and Seoul, the festival has drawn over 100,000 attendees and has attracted plenty of media attention; clearly, this is one film festival you shouldn’t miss.
8 premieres you must catch at the DFF
Eight films out of 130 submissions are selected for screening at DFF 2016 – five Asia premieres, two Southeast Asia premieres and one Singapore premiere. Here they are:
Crazy About Tiffany’s by Matthew Miele
If you’re a big fan of Tiffany & Co. (or simply a jewellery aficionado), this one’s for you. Gain insights on the Tiffany family and their first-ever female design director, Francesca Amfitheatrof, and look at the transformation of Tiffany & Co. – from a simple jewellery shop in New York to a global sensation!
In Pursuit of Silence by Patrick Shen
Take some time off to embark on a philosophical contemplation about noise, silence and its intricate relationship with human beings. Focusing on the concept of Sound Design, dive into an intriguing world of meditative cinema by Patrick Shen.
Jheronimus Bosch by Pieter van Huystee
This film will certainly be a hit with artholics and the like. 2016 marks the 5th centenary of the death of Hieronymus Bosch – one of The Netherlands’ most highly-celebrated painters. Hop onto an eye-opening adventure with a team of experts on their inquisitive four-year exploration of the old master’s body of work and even more.
Original Copy by Georg Heinzen & Florian Heinzen-Zio
Are you one of those fellas with a niche hobby that seems to be dying in today’s cosmopolitan world – like collecting movie posters? Then this one might pique your interest. Follow the life of Mumbai’s last film poster painter, Sheikh Rehman, and learn more about the diminishing practice of film poster art.
The First Monday in May by Andrew Rossi
Yes, surely we all know about the glitz and glamour of the Met Gala. But what if you’re able to get a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes magic? Wouldn’t that be swell? You can now, as this film lets you journey into Andrew Bolton and Gala co-chair Anna Wintour’s eight-month preparation for two of New York’s most anticipated cultural events – the blockbuster China: Through The Looking Glass exhibition, and the star-studded 2015 Met Gala.
The Happy Film by Stefan Sagmeister, Ben Nabors, and Hillman Curtis
Feeling like you’re stuck in a rut as of late? Then this docu-film might just be the thing you need to cheer yourself up! Stefan Sagmeister has everything he thought he wanted – living in the city of his dreams and running a successful studio creating covers for the likes of Rolling Stones and Jay-Z, yet he’s still unsatisfied. Take a look at his journey of self-re-discovery as he tries to re-design himself into a better, happier person.
We Are X by Stephen Kijak
If you dig cult films as much as Japanese rock, then you’re in luck. We are X documents one of Japan’s most iconic Visual Kei bands, X Japan, known for their flamboyant costumes and makeup and fang-baring music. Witness a soul-baring account of the band’s ups and downs – from pioneering the Visual Kei movement to the band’s reunion at Madison Square Garden twenty years after a tragedy-fuelled split.
Yohji Yamamoto | Dressmaker by Ngo The Chau
Take a look into the life of one of Japan’s most influential fashion designers. In this film, you’ll understand more about the complex man who designs avant-garde clothing with Japanese-inspired designs, through interviews with family, friends, employees and more. Whether you’re a fashion guru or simply someone who’s obsessed with fashion, there’s no harm to expand your fashion knowledge with this film.
Tickets are priced at $15 each for all screenings. You can purchase your tickets here.
A Design Film Festival 2016, 3-11 September 2016, at Capitol Theatre and Shaw Lido. For further details, visit the official website or Facebook page. #DFFSG2016