SCINEMA
The science film festival turns 20.
The 20 year-old SCINEMA International Science Film Festival attracted hundreds of entries from over 37 countries, in seven categories this year. The winning films and festival entries will be available to watch free and on demand throughout August. We asked the judges and winners to tell us about a few of their favourite things.
BETH STALEY, WINNER OF BEST SHORT FILM FOR SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
Describe your film in one sentence. Scratching the Surface explores how humans and rats are working together to clear landmines and protect communities in Cambodia.
Who’s your favourite scientist
(past or present) and why?
There are many scientists who have achieved incredible things. A favourite of mine Bart Weetjens, the founder of APOPO, the organisation featured in my film, and developed the idea of training the Giant African Pouched Rat to detect landmines using their sense of smell. APOPO’S rats are now also trained to detect tuberculosis and the organisation is exploring other avenues where the rats could make a difference.
What’s your dream film project?
I’d love to make a film about my favourite animal, the pangolin. I think they are beautiful and unique creatures. They are also one of the most illegally trafficked animals in the world as their meat is considered a delicacy and their scales are used in traditional medicine.
SHANNON HARVEY, WINNER OF BEST FILM FOR MY YEAR OF LIVING MINDFULLY Describe your film in one sentence.
In a world-first experiment, journalist Shannon Harvey recruited a team of scientists to put mindful meditation to the test. But what began as a year-long selfexperiment soon became a life-changing experience.
What’s your favourite podcast?
They’re not science podcasts but S-town and Serial from “This American Life” were brave enough to pioneer innovative and wildly popular ways for journalists to tell great stories.
What’s your favourite dinosaur? Brachiosaurus. They look so cute despite their size. And they knew about the importance of eating green leaves.
What did/do you want to be when you grew up?
Everything! A doctor, an archaeologist, a film director, a writer and a journalist. (Three out of five ain’t too bad)
DAMIAN HARRIS, FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF SCINEMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, JUDGE SCINEMA 2020
What’s the most important part of making a great science film?
The visuals, getting beautiful, engaging, and powerful images onto the screen. Throughout the history of Scinema, from all the different films – natural history to medical to quantum physics – I remember many powerful images that have stuck in my mind for years.
Describe in one sentence the plot of your dream science movie…
The science of art: I’m always intrigued by the cross over between the arts and sciences. I often feel that science is not viewed as a ‘creative’ process yet the most remarkable discoveries come from true creative thought.
Any great advice for aspiring filmmakers out there?
Learn by doing - start making films; and show those films to people and listen to the feedback. There are lots of ways to tell a story and the more you experiment with styles the tools you will develop to tell interesting and engaging stories.