The Goethe-Institut announces the call for submissions for the Science Film Festival 2024
The Science Film Festival 2024 will spotlight films from around the world highlighting the crucial role played by net zero concepts and the circular economy in combatting climate challenges
The Goethe-Institut has announced the call for submissions for the 2024 edition of the Science Film Festival, the world's largest science film festival.
In collaboration with local partners, Goethe-Institut organises the Science Film Festival, a celebration of science communication in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, to promote science literacy and facilitates awareness of contemporary scientific, technological, and environmental issues through international films with accompanying educational activities.
“The Science Film Festival presents scientific issues accessibly and entertainingly to a broad audience and demonstrates that science can be fun,” it noted. “The event has grown considerably since its first edition in 2005, becoming the largest event of its kind worldwide.”
According to Goethe-Institut, the 2024 edition of the Science Film Festival will take place internationally from October 01 to December 20 and will focus on Net Zero and the Circular Economy, highlighting the need for actions beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions to effectively address climate protection.
“This year, the festival endeavors to spotlight films from around the world highlighting the crucial role played by net zero concepts and the circular economy in combatting the challenges posed by the climate crises,” the announcement stated.
“The Science Film Festival bestows six awards chosen by an international jury. They are complimented with a cash prize of 500 Euro each. The Prize of the Jury is complimented with a cash prize of 1,000 Euro.”
The award categories are as follows:
VISUAL EFFECTS & CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD: Honours the film that demonstrates the highest level of visual craftsmanship through cinematography or animation. Moreover, the effects go beyond the aesthetic by serving an educational purpose. Scientific principles or processes are explained clearly and engagingly through the visual effects.
IPST EDUCATION AWARD: Honours the film that stands as an excellent example of science journalism intended for young audiences aged 6 - 12. Scientific explanations are presented with the cognitive level of young viewers in mind and the structure of the film reflects an effective audio-visual pedagogical approach.
ECOFILMPRIZE: Honours the film that makes an exceptional effort to communicate and proliferate environmental awareness. Ecological issues are discussed and explained clearly. The film inspires to care about nature and cultivates a sense of responsibility in that respect.
DISCOVERY AWARD BY ROLLS-ROYCE: Honours the film that makes an outstanding effort to promote learning about science to the general public. The film generates interest and enthusiasm for science and knowledge acquisition. It showcases an exemplary balance between education and entertainment.
TECHNOLOGY AWARD: Honours the film that sheds light on technologies that improve living conditions and environmental sustainability. The film accessibly introduces decisive technologies that are changing or going to change our lives in the 21st Century in mobility, health, communication or energy.
PRIZE OF THE JURY: Honours the film that makes a particularly strong impression on the jury and is relevant to the theme of the year. The film delivers an emotional and intellectual resonance, which distinguishes it as an overall outstanding work of science journalism through film and television.
Who can submit films?
The Science Film Festival is open to worldwide submissions from broadcasters, producers, filmmakers, film students, researchers, scientific organizations, NGOs, public organizations, and online channels.
What kind of films are accepted?
The Science Film Festival is open to all formats of films incl. VR and online interactive films, as well as all genres of films on science, technology, and the environment. However, the festival program focuses primarily on edutainment programs for young audiences and documentary films for the general public, which have been broadcast on television or online.
Are there any fees?
There are no fees for submissions to the Science Film Festival. However, the festival as a rule does not pay for screening rights either. This is because all screenings are non-commercial and educational in nature and the Science Film Festival makes no revenue from the screenings or any other related activities. The festival also invests considerably in translating and subtitling or synchronizing films into local language where applicable and makes these versions available to the rights owners after the festival period.
How to apply
Visit the application page to fill out the application form. Also, visit the announcement page for more information. Follow Science Film Festival on socials for further updates.
