IFFR White Nights
From 13 to 17 July 2016 the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is pitching its tents in Rotterdam's Museumpark for IFFR White Nights: a five-day, open-air summer festival of film, music, workshops and panel discussions. As part of the festival, Het Nieuwe Instituut presents an exhibition of the nominees for the design prize' A Home Away from Home'.
13 July 2016 14:00 - 17 July 2016 23:00
The prize A Home Away from Home is organised by the COA, an organisation that helps asylum seekers, in partnership with the Chief Government Architect in order to stimulate innovative proposals for housing for asylum seekers and, by extension, for a wider range of people in need of housing. The prize has two categories: INSIDE for proposals for disused buildings and OUTSIDE for proposals for available building sites.
Twelve of the 366 submissions have been nominated. These designers and design teams have been asked to develop their initial ideas into buildable designs. The winners are announced on 29 June. The twelve nominated projects are on display in the pop-up exhibition at Het Nieuwe Instituut until 7 July.
In the exhibition at the White Nights festival, the twelve designers present a broad range of design solutions, including fold-up units and DIY construction kits, innovative use of materials and production techniques, and social strategies. They address issues including re-use of empty buildings, population shrinkage, re-use of materials and energy production. While these solutions have been envisioned for asylum seekers, the designs are also suitable for students and others entering the housing market.
IFFR White Nights
White Nights refers to Europe's sleepless nights due to either empathy with or suspicion of the great stream of asylum seekers arriving on the continent. The films being shown at the festival have been made in those countries where the most refugees originate: Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon and Tunisia. The programme demonstrates the vast potential of the talented filmmakers from these countries that are seeking refuge here.
During IFFR White Nights, the Museumpark will be transformed into a camp of white tents, showing short films during the day. The programme also includes panel discussions, workshops, master classes and music from the Arab region. Visitors can also enjoy delicious food served by chef Maher al Sabbagh.
IFFR White Nights coincides with the festive opening of Rotterdam Xpanded, the multidisciplinary programme of the IFFR, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Kunsthal.
For programme details and tickets visit the website of IFFR.