Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 9: January ushers in new beginnings, and for the city’s architecture and design fraternity, it marks the return of the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF:STIR). The second edition of the festival begins on January 9, promising fresh conversations, ideas and perspectives at the intersection of cinema, architecture and design.
Founded in 2009 by New York–based architect and film enthusiast Kyle Bergman, ADFF made a striking debut in Mumbai in 2025. Reflecting on the response, Bergman said the city’s audience has shown deep engagement and enthusiasm. “Mumbai’s audience is passionate and keen to explore how films can influence the world of architecture and design,” he noted.
Festival director and STIR editor-in-chief Amit Gupta said films form the central pillar of the festival, shaping dialogue and encouraging reflection on architectural practice through a visual medium. Another major highlight will be the LOG(UE) programme, which focuses on discussions and exchanges. “The programme encourages active engagement, multiple viewpoints and responsive discourse,” Gupta explained.
Adding a tangible dimension to the festival is the Jaquar Pavilion Park, set up on the NCPA lawns at Nariman Point. Curated by Aric Chen, director of the Zaha Hadid Foundation, the installation will showcase visionary pavilion proposals by 10 winning practices, translating ideas into physical form.
Gupta said these pavilions are envisioned to travel and evolve over time, becoming catalysts for public dialogue in prominent civic and cultural spaces such as the Dr BDL Museum, Marine Drive and the Pune International Centre.
With increasing concern over ecological impact and a growing emphasis on sustainable living models, the festival aims to serve as a platform for sharing innovative and responsible ideas. “We want to engage a much broader and more diverse audience, bringing together government bodies, civic authorities, institutions, corporates, patrons, collectors and the creative community,” Gupta added.
The second edition of ADFF:STIR thus seeks to build on its successful debut, positioning Mumbai as a vibrant hub for global conversations on architecture, design and sustainability.