Architecture in film will be explored throughout the 2014 Cinecity exhibitions in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, showcasing 30 short films from around the globe.

Thirty projects, each of 60 second duration, will be screened at three events, including the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth on 9 May, Vivid Sydney on 30 May and Melbourne’s open-air art space, Testing Grounds, on 25 July 2014.

The brief for the 60 second films requested they be unedited, explore architectural spatial ideas and respond to this year’s National Architecture Conference theme, ‘making’.

They project architecture as a concept that extends beyond traditional practice approaches, and challenge the relationships between architecture and the cultural, economic, social and political realms.

Cinecity co-curator and University of Sydney PhD architecture student Sarah Breen Lovett says that there is an unprecedented number and variety of entrants this year:

“The quality and diversity of this year’s films are absolutely outstanding. There’s a huge variety of approaches that creatively explore what ‘making’ can mean in architecture.

“This year we have a broad selection of films by participants from around 17 countries. Given the diversity of countries represented, Cinecity 2014 promises to be a vibrant showcase of architectural film on a global scale,” she said.

Renowned Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Hadid and Australia’s Penelope Seidler are among a panel of nine judges who will select the 2014 winner from the shortlist. 

Cinecity claims the nationalities of participants are far more diverse than previous years with entries from America, Amsterdam, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Ireland, India, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand and Uganda. 

Among the participants are architects and architecture students, filmmakers and photographers, artists and academics.

The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning will award the $1,000 top prize at the first Cinecity screening in Perth on 9 May.

Visit thecinecityproject.com for more information and screening timetables. 

University of Sydney’s Susanne Chan (video above), a Masters of IDEA (Interaction Design and Electronic Arts) graduate, and Vernon Cheung (video below), a current Architecture student, are among the shortlisted talent.