Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival 2026: No Mere Construct: Architecture on Screen

Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival 2026: No Mere Construct

Welcome to a unique cinematic journey at the Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival 2026, hosted at the prestigious M+ Cinema. Among the festival's highlights is the programme "No Mere Construct: Architecture on Screen", which shifts the focus from traditional character-driven narratives to the profound significance of architectural space.

Programme Overview

When architecture ceases to be a mere background and becomes a protagonist, how does it shape the reality we perceive on screen? This curated selection of ten experimental short films investigates the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of our built environments. From the playful city strolls in Tromarama's Tilik (2010) to the abstract geometry capturing Beirut's vitality in Samia Halaby's Beirut (1993/2025), the programme challenges viewers to rethink their relationship with space.

Featured Works

• Ellen Pau, Drained II (1989): An exploration of the tension between the physical body and architectural constraints.
• Shirley Sun, Labyrinth (1973): A masterclass in experimental editing that highlights the city as a potential cage for the soul.
• Ellen Pau, Frame Drama (2012): A study of 1960s Hong Kong cinema, where doors and windows serve as conduits for narrative and spatial transition.
• Wang Tuo, Obsidian (2019): Delving into psychological space, this piece links the socialist architecture of the Fusuijing Building with hypnotic therapeutic processes.
• Liao Pei-yi, Hide and Seek (Part 3) & (Part 7) (2022): Closing the programme, these works capture the surreal, neon-drenched urban landscape of Hong Kong.

Related Activities

• Post-screening Talk: Join the artists for an insightful discussion on May 29.
• Festival Pass: Gain priority access to all film festival screenings and events starting April 24, 2026.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness how the world's most innovative artists challenge mainstream historical narratives through moving image practice.