“Urban Visions. Architecture and the Future of Cities” is an international film festival developed by City Space Architecture intended to use cinema as a lens for discussing how cities are changing, and how architecture, public space and everyday life intersect in this transformation. The Film Festival works as a platform to showcase short films, urban narratives and visual storytelling focusing on urban futures, social inclusion, and the evolving relationship between people and the built environment in global contexts. The festival invited audiences, scholars, students, and professionals to reflect on how architecture can respond to rapid urbanisation, climate challenges, and shifting cultural dynamics in cities.
The first edition of the festival was co-organised in cooperation with Ajman Municipality and Planning Department (United Arab Emirates) with a focus on the Middle East. It took place in Dubai and Ajman in 2022, with the opening at the Dubai Expo 2020 and outdoor screenings at Dubai Design District.
Through screenings, discussions, and educational activities, Urban Visions in Ajman fostered dialogue between filmmakers, urban scholars, and local communities, encouraging critical and creative perspectives on city-making. Positioned within City Space Architecture’s broader commitment to public space culture, the festival contributed to building a cross-cultural exchange on how more just, accessible, and imaginative cities can be envisioned for the future.

COMPETITION

The Film Festival’s global call for short films was published on FilmFreeway.