Dave Buonaguidi on Film: Being Real premieres at Crystal Palace International Film Festival

Next week, Dave Buonaguidi (Real Hackney Dave) takes his story to the big screen.

A new 33-minute documentary, Being Real, directed by Rob Ferneyhough, will have its world premiere at the Crystal Palace International Film Festival as part of the Mixed Length Docs programme.

From adland to artist

In 2013, Dave Buonaguidi (the founder of a hugely successful advertising agency) found himself on the edge of everything falling apart. Being Real follows the turning point that led him away from advertising and into a new life as an artist.

And it’s not just a premiere: Rob Ferneyhough has shared that the film has been nominated for Best Documentary at the festival.

Why this one matters

If you know Dave’s work, you’ll know it’s never just about the punchline. Under the bold type, the maps, the found materials and the sharp humour, there’s always something more human: optimism with teeth.

Being Real looks set to capture that exact tension. The collapse, the rebuild, and the creative release that followed, in a way that’s hard to translate through images alone.

Screening details

• Event: Mixed Length Docs (18) – Crystal Palace International Film Festival
• Date & time: Tuesday 3 March, 7:00pm
• Venue: Everyman Crystal Palace (Screen 2), 25 Church Road, London SE19 2TE
• Runtime: 33 mins
• Ticket price: £13 (bar and food available)
• Buy Tickets Here

Discover Dave’s work

If the film is your introduction to Dave Buonaguidi, you can also explore his editions and recent releases through Electric Gallery.