The American Institute of Architects (AIA) held its fourth annual AIA Film Challenge, "A Blueprint for Better," inviting architects and filmmakers to produce three- to five-minute documentaries that tell a story of the positive impact that architecture can have on a community. On Tuesday, the AIA announced the winners, in the categories of Grand Prize, Runner Up, Third Place, and People's Choice Award.

The Grand Prize–, Runner Up–, and Third Place–winning films will premiere at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in New York. The People's Choice Award winner will premiere at the Chicago Ideas festival.

Judges of the AIA Film Challenge were I. Marlene King, film and television writer, producer, and director; Thatcher Bean, media manager for Boston-based Mass Design Group; Tiffany Brown, Assoc. AIA, adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University's College of Architecture and Design in Southfield, Mich., and co-founder of the Urban Arts Collective in Chamblee, Ga.; Diana Budds, senior story producer for Curbed; Steve Benjamin, mayor of Columbia, S.C.; Lynn Hirshfield, senior vice president of strategic alliances for Beverly Hills, Calif.–based Participant Media; and Heather Koury, Hon. AIA, executive director of AIA Memphis.

Watch the winning films below:

Grand Prize

Past/Presence: Saving the Spring Garden School from Cheryl Hess on Vimeo.

Runner Up

A JOYFUL GATHERING PLACE from Chris Langer on Vimeo.

Third Place

ChildSafe: Designed to Heal from Isaiah Rendon on Vimeo.

People's Choice Award

Ka Hale: A Revival from Mighty Movies on Vimeo.

The following is the full press release from the AIA.

WASHINGTON – Oct. 9, 2018 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is announcing winners today of the 2018 AIA Film Challenge. The four winning films are:

Grand Prize – “Past/Presence: Saving the Spring Garden School”

Runner Up – “A Joyful Gathering Place”

Third Place – “ChildSafe: Designed to Heal”

People’s Choice Award – “Ka Hale: A Revival”

Grand prize, runner up and third place recipients were selected by a panel of judges made up of architects and film/media professionals while the People’s Choice Award was selected through votes cast by the public.

Both the Grand Prize Winner and People’s Choice Award will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and trips to New York City and Chicago, respectively. Winners will officially premiere later this month at the following events:

Oct. 16 – “Past/Presence: Saving the Spring Garden School” screens at the opening night of the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) in New York.
Oct. 16-21 – “A Joyful Gathering Place” and “ChildSafe: Designed to Heal” will screen throughout ADFF.
Oct. 18 – “Ka Hale: A Revival” screens at Chicago Ideas, an annual festival in Chicago.

Both architects and filmmakers were invited to participate in this year’s film challenge by telling stories of architects, civic leaders, and their communities working together toward positive community impact. This year’s film submissions covered a variety of topics, including affordable housing, social impact issues, preservation and sustainability.

Visit AIAFilmChallenge.org to watch the films online and to learn more about the winners. Use #BlueprintforBetter to join the conversation.