Design Directs Everything

One of the highlights of Archtober—New York City’s month-long celebration of architecture that features tours, lectures, exhibitions, and more—is the Architecture & Design Film Festival, just wrapping its eleventh year. Kyle Bergman, the founder and director of the festival, has expanded the event beyond its New York hometown to include Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New Orleans, Toronto, and Vancouver; here, he reflects on its evolution:

Q: How did the festival get started?

A: I’m an architect by profession and I’ve always thought about the great connection between architecture and film. To me, they’re two sides of the same coin—architecture and film are ways for us to tell stories. They share similar characteristics, for one, they are both public acts. Both art forms consider light, scale, proportion, and it’s really a balance between art and science. Merging architecture and film was something that came natural to me. I really wanted to develop a film festival that engaged the general public as well as the design community.

Q: What is the film selection process?

A: We accept submissions year-round. Our selection process is “organic”, and we don’t adhere to criteria; we care more about how the films capture the creative design process.

Q: Can you describe the physical and emotional duress of putting on a festival like this?

A: I may disappoint you with my answer… I’m a firm believer that if you like what you do, you don’t even think about it.

Q: Tell us the best and worst part of your job.

A: The festival is something that I started, so I’m proud of that. But I would say the best part of my job is having the opportunity to increase architecture and design dialogue, and make it more appealing to a wider audience, not just for design professionals. Then, there are the filmmakers…I feel that the festival puts a spotlight on these talented filmmakers and showcases their passion and dedication to their craft.