Berlin fashion Film Festival - kurz BfFF – is now entering the fourth round. The deadline for submissions was extended until April 4th and GoSee presents you the jury, comprised of top creatives from fashion, advertising, and creation who are looking forward to connecting with the stars of tomorrow. Submissions are welcome from filmmakers, labels, brands, designers, production companies, and advertising agencies.
“We are always on the lookout for those awesome creatives who are shaping and moving the visual industries. These are the people who’ll be able to bring a positive change to the impressive talent we’ll once again be presenting this year,” says Frank Funke, co-founder and Program Director of the Berlin fashion Film Festival. GoSee wanted to know more and asked – here for you on GoSee QUEST with Niccolò Montanari and his business partner Frank Funke.
How are preparations coming along? Our submissions extension is running until the 3rd of April; then we will start with the tickets and the program. The BfFF 2015 takes place on the 5th of June in Astra Kulturhaus.
Do you have your own fashion background with FIER Management? Niccolo Montanari: Yes, Fier Management has given several emerging designers a platform over the past few years. We have found in Fashion Film a medium that can also give labels with less financial capabilities a chance to become known or recognized internationally.
How long has the BfFF festival been around and were there obstacles in the beginning which had to be overcome by your team? Niccolò Montanari : The BfFF has existed since 2012 – one of the greatest challenges, next to financing the event, was certainly finding our own orientation and establishing our brand so that we are different than other festivals and remain competitive. Over the past years, several international fashion film festivals have appeared, which is good for us since it raises awareness for the subject, and because it encourages us again each year to strengthen the relevance of the BfFF, e.g. by the jury and partners we select.
Berlin and fashion – a controversial discussion recurring again and again. Are any films submitted by Berlin-based designers or are you only internationally oriented? Frank Funke: The majority of competition submissions come from abroad. But there are also several interesting productions by Berlin-based filmmakers and designers whom we even pay tribute to with a Best Local category especially for them. Berlin is probably not a fashion or fashion business city. It is, however, still a unique playground for creatives from all over the world, a place to exchange ideas with its very open-minded citizens. Making it the perfect location for us.
Are their strict rules, for instance, that only films of the last season are accepted or are you more generous? Frank Funke: Since BfFF takes place each year, we only show new films.
There seems to be a lot of live action between the shows? Frank Funke: Next to the awards ceremony, the live action has always been one of the highlights of the BfFF. Guest appearances by TOM VAN DERBORGHT, Lady Gaga’s hair stylist Charlie Le Mindu, or the exceptional Russian artist Andrey Bartenev have certainly contributed largely to the relaxed atmosphere at the festival. It especially pleases me to have a Berlin artist who will rock the catwalk of our awards show this year. Just like every year, the best fashion films of the past year are presented and awarded on stage.
What are your highlights this year? The true highlight this year, which I am looking forward to most, are certainly the new program elements of the festival: For the first time, there will be presentations and panel discussions at the BfFF to talk about and discuss the status quo and the future of the motion picture in fashion marketing. Industry giants such as Zegna and LVMH’s content channel 'Nowness' will be there, as well as other creatives and producers. A real "must see" for anyone in the advertising, branding or marketing business.
GoSee will be there on site for you fashion film-wise and will report to you on the films, the winners and the creative actions. The 2015 jury is comprised of :
Adriano Alarcon - Senior Art Director FCB Brasil (Brazil) Winner of three gold Lions at Cannes Creative Festival and awards at AD&D, One Show, Clio, London Festival, Fiap, El Ojo among other national and international festivals.
Alexandra Bondi de Antoni - Editor i-D Germany (Germany) Previously freelancer for INDIE, Dazed and Confused,
BLONDE and Material Girl, now brand-new editorial head of i-D Germany, writing editorial pieces for i-D.co and developing new video content for the fashion channel.
Bebe Kiffin – Producer (U.K.) Freelance producer for several leading advertising agencies, such as Blue Hive and Ford’s Exclusive Agency, and winner of three Grand Prixes for Budweiser’s Whassup, Nike’s Tag, and Levi’s Drugstore at Whitehouse Post
David Danesi - Founder & CEO of Digital District (France) High-end-post-production house contributing to numer
ous multi award winning movies such as The Artist and outstanding commercials such as The Odyssey for Cartier.
Esben Ehrenreich - Executive Creative Director Y & R Germany (Germany) Winner of numerous international awards such as Gold at Cannes Lions, Clio, ADC Europe, Eurobest, Cresta, New York festivals.
Kerstin Geffert - Co-Founder & Owner of Silk Relations (Germany) Founder of one of the most important Berlin-based PR and events agency focused on fashion and lifestyle, with brands like Levi’s, Nike, Uniqlo, Augustin Teboul, Bobby Kolade and Malaikaraiss.
Thomas Hoffmann - Creative Director of & CO. (Denmark) Winner of more than 250 national and international
awards, including six golds at The New York adfestivals, Epica Grand Prix, Eurobest Grand prix, Clio Image Grand prix, Clio gold, and three Cannes Lions.
Tom Hidvegi - Creative Strategy Officer at DDB Budapest (Hungary) Cannes Creative Leaders Program Graduate and MBA candidate at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership with clients including IKO TV Central Europe, Unilever, Michelin, UPC, Oracle and Skoda.
Shaway Yeh - Group Style Editorial Director Modern Media (China) China’s key opinion leader on Fashion and Design, with Modern Weekly by Modern Media Group being China’s most influential lifestyle publication.
Stephen Whelan - Founder and Executive Producer of White Lodge (UK) Founder of the award winning creative strategy and production house offering high-end content for the fashion, luxury and lifestyle industries and
member of the BFC Fashion Film panel.
We Are From L.A. – Directors (USA) Nominees and winners of several awards, including UKM VA, YDA’s, one Grand Prix and six Lions at Cannes Lions 2014 with Pharrell Williams’ 24 hours of Happy.
About - Berlin Fashion Film Festival is an intimate experience for creatives from the film, advertising and
fashion industries. The event takes place once a year in Berlin and sees thought-leaders and creative
professionals come together to be presented and awarded for the best fashion film productions. Focusing on promoting and recognising visual talent, since 2012 BfFF has been connecting brands, labels, designers, filmmakers, producers, advertising agencies and clients. More information on berlinfashionfilmfestival.net
