A Design Film Festival 2019: Yayoi Kusama's Infinity, and other top films and documentaries to catch

Made by creatives — design studio Anonymous is the brainchild behind it — for creatives, A Design Film Festival showcases the inner-workings of the art and design world through thought-provoking films and documentaries. This year's theme, "Man_Machine", tackles the ever-evolving relationship between man and the emerging technological revolution, from A.I.'s role as companions to self-driving cars. Here are our top picks.

The Price of Everything (2018)

Screening: 5pm to 6:40pm on 13 October

In a stunning exposé of the role of art in today's consumerist society, director Nathaniel Kahn illuminates the intriguing relationship between the exorbitant price tags placed upon art through a deep-dive into the mysterious world of art collectors, dealers, and artists. The film has been nominated for an Emmy Award as well as the Sundance Grand Jury Prize.

Westwood: Icon. Punk. Activist (2018)

Screening: 5:30pm to 6:55pm on 12 October

The film explores the colourful story of iconic British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, her inspirational headstrong attitude, and perhaps the most interestingly, her fight to maintain her brand's integrity against the fast-paced, profit-driven climate of modern fashion.

Kusama: Infinity (2018)

Screening: 8pm to 9:20pm on 13 October

You were probably one of the many thousands who caught National Gallery Singapore's blockbuster exhibition on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in 2017. Now that you've got that Instagrammable shot of her Infinity installations under your belt, get to know the mysterious and diminutive woman a little better, including her struggles with mental health.

War of Art (2019)

Screening: 3pm to 4:40pm on 26 October

North Korea might be best known for its leader Kim Jong-un and its stash of nuclear weapons today, but they have an accrued a fascinating history in the pursue of art, including kidnapping renowned directors and actors. This film looks into their cultural and artistic zeitgeist by sending a collective of liberal artists to collaborate with some of their repressed local artists, then watching the sparks fly.

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Other than the films, the festival has also collaborated with designers to release a T-shirt collection that's inspired by the festival lineup. The designers hail from Tokyo, Bandung, and Beijing amongst other cities. The collection is available on their website right now.