8th BUDAPEST ARCHITECTURE FILM DAYS | GREETINGS
You can’t escape architecture!
There is no escape – the 8th Budapest Architecture Film Days is about to start! It is the 8th time that the Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre (KÉK) has organised this unique festival. It was the first in the region and since its early days it has since evolved into Europe’s second biggest architecture-related film event.
Our mission is, and has always been, to present stories about cities and communities that are equally relevant in Budapest. This mission is present in this year’s program more than ever.
Budapest has seen a rapid metamorphosis in recent years: such as the emblematic historical sites that have been reshaped, public spaces that have been turned into battlefields, changes in traffic nodes that jeopardise the safety of pedestrians, our most significant public park currently being reconceptualised by star architects, the construction of the museum quarter which has already started, and not to mention the discussion of Budapest’s candidacy for the Olympics is also upon us.
There is no escape from change, but we have the chance to learn from other examples and to discuss past lessons. So anybody who wants to be armed with knowledge in order to face these recent changes is invited to join us on this four day journey through film, where from the comfort of the movie seats, you can get a bird’s eye view of the city. Our selection provides you with new perspectives and insights to track these changes and transformations.
Several of our films deal with the long lasting urban effects of cultural mega-projects, the construction of museums and concert halls. Many of this year’s selection have been shot over a period spanning over than 10 years – a time period allowing for a detailed documentation of changes. Many of the protagonists are maniacs, people who disregard money, time and human dignity just to accomplish their pretentious city-plans – literally through fire and water.
Following our call for entry we received several hundred films – the best of those constitute the 15 screening sections with more than 30 films. Feeling overwhelmed? Try the Urbanista pass – which provides the festival’s best selection for sensitive professionals and outsider architecture-film buffs alike, curated by the urbanist blog called “Urbanista”.
Like in the past years, the festival also offers other programs. Several screenings are accompanied by talks with the directors and other contributors, along with parties, thematic walks, exhibitions, and there’s even an architect’s beer. And the traditional opening act is going to include a set from DJ XF aka Sándor Finta, the former Chief Architect of Budapest.
Do you live in a building? Do you watch movies? Good reasons to join us on the first weekend of March!
Organizers| Gábor Fehér, Daniella Huszár, Levente Polyák, Noémi Soltész, Anna Szakál, Karolina Szin
Graphic design | István Csekk
Previous festivals | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2009 | 2008
Projects | Central European Architecture Film Exchange | Filming the Central European City
FILMS OF THE FESTIVAL
Support us! The Budapest Architecture Film Days is organised with much enthusiasm and volunteer work in the eight consecutive year.
If you like what we are doing, please join us as a volunteer or adopt frames of the films for 1000 HUF by using the Donate button.