The AIA Film Challenge 2020 invited architects, filmmakers, and storytellers to produce 60- to 90-second documentaries highlighting architects partnering with communities and civic leaders to design a healthy, sustainable, just world that improves peoples’ lives.

Participants produced, shot, and edited documentary-style short films showcasing their Blueprint for Better story to win cash prizes, distribution at film festivals, and exposure on AIA’s online channels, as well as partner film and architecture organizations.

A panel of judges made up of architects as well as film and media professionals selected the Grand Prize Winner, the Runner Up, and the Third Place Winner based on the films’ adherence to the prompt, storytelling arc, architectural placement, and technical merit. The People’s Choice Award was selected through votes cast online by the public. The judges and the AIA extend congratulations to the winning filmmakers and project teams.

Grand Prize—Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

The 2020 Grand Prize winner is “Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum” by filmmaker John Gordon. The Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum, designed by Dallas architecture firm Omniplan, creates a deep and authentic experiential journey that grapples with the most difficult and perplexing issues plaguing humanity. Watch the video >

Runner up—From Ruins to City

The 2020 Runner Up is “From Ruins to City” by filmmaker Jake Catalanotto. The film presents STUDIO V Architecture‘s master plan for Silo City in Buffalo: transforming the largest collection of grain elevators in the world into mixed-use arts, cultural, residential, and maker spaces, to reinvent industrial artifacts into a sustainable vision for cities. Watch the video > 

Third place—BOXVILLE: Creating a Just World

The 2020 Third Place winner is “BOXVILLE: Creating a Just World” by filmmaker Asia Taylor. The film tells the story of Boxville, Chicago’s first street food market and container mall, serving Bronzeville residents and visitors with unique products, services, and food. Watch the video > 

Peoples’ Choice—A Beacon of Light in Times of Crisis

The 2020 People’s Choice award goes to “A Beacon of Light in Times of Crisis” by filmmaker Jean-Marc Grambert. The film tells how the Meditation Pavilion –a quiet space to nurture the human spirit and create a new sense of community – is designed to unburden the mind. Watch the video >