ASVOFF Film Fest Taps Michèle Lamy As Jury President

THROWBACK THURSDAY: The annual fashion film festival A Shaded View on Fashion Film, or ASVOFF, has announced the jury and program of its 16th edition, which will run Nov. 7 to 10 at Dover Street Market Paris.

“It’s a look back as we look forward,” said festival founder Diane Pernet. Last year, ASVOFF was awarded sponsorship from France’s Ministry of Culture.

And who better to straddle past, present and future than Michèle Lamy, cofounder of Owenscorp and artist, who will preside a 2024 jury comprised of a broad cross-section of personalities including Swedish singer-songwriter Jay-Jay Johanson, German costume designer Bina Daigeler, hair and visual artist Bob Recine and “Twin Peaks” actor Harry Goaz.

Over four days, there will be more than 155 films screened, including the 31 that will be taking part in the year’s official competition. Another 81 will be showcased in eight categories ranging from mental health in fashion and the Black spectrum, to Chinese fashion films and climate action for children and teens.

The program will kick off with an afternoon dedicated to the pre-smartphone era.

It will include “It’s Not In Your Phone,” a work by engineer-turned-performer Thomas Dupal that reflects on the impact of technology in a fusion of poetry, dance and emotional expression; and a screening of “Fashioned Out,” a 2002 documentary series by festival founder Diane Pernet and Disciple Films.

Commissioned by French department store Galeries Lafayette, they offer a throwback to the fashions seen in New York, London, Milan and Paris 22 years ago.  

Among the documentaries showcased this year are “Quant,” a tribute to the late British fashion designer Mary Quant who died in 2023, and “Happy Clothes,” which showcases the creative process of Patricia Field, the costume designer behind the memorable looks of “Sex and the City,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and season one of “Emily in Paris.”

In addition to screenings, there will be talks by artistic duo Fecal Matter on image and identity, and a session on regenerative agriculture in the textile supply chain.

Another panel discussion will examine how designers and artists can inspire change through their cultural contributions, with Graham Tabor, head of knitwear and strategic advisor for sustainable supply chain solutions at Thom Browne; Bottega Veneta’s head of sustainability Yoann Regent, and film director Curtis Essel.

A major new development of this edition is the support of U.K.-based entertainment financer Goldfinch and the Dreamtown production company.

They will be sponsoring the Goldfinch Writer’s Award, which seeks to nurture new voices in film with mentorship, project development and a 1,000-euro purse; and the Dreamtown Innovator Award, aiming at transforming shorts into feature films with comprehensive project support, industry mentorship and showcase opportunities, as well as a 1,000-euro cash prize.

As is tradition, New York-based artist and designer Miguel Villalobos has designed the trophies, save for the Grand Prize gong, made in bronze this year by jewelry artist Chloé Valorso.

Over 20 prizes will be awarded, including the grand prize. The best films in each thematic curation will also get a gong.

The closing ceremony will be introduced by Serge Carreira, director of the emerging brands initiative at the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, and will include a screening of the 51-minute Paris chapter of the “Fashioned Out” documentary.