Scientists and filmmakers offered unique opportunity to put Science on Film
27 November 2007
Scientists are being offered a unique opportunity to turn their ideas into imaginative and exciting short films and showcase them to leading broadcast industry insiders. Organisers hope this groundbreaking initiative, with collaborations between scientists and filmmakers, will inspire ideas and ultimately boost the quality of science on TV and film.
Science on Film, a partnership between the Documentary Filmmakers Group (DFG) and the Wellcome Trust, offers scientists the chance to put on film their ideas while learning from the UK's foremost broadcast professionals as part of an intensive film production and training scheme. Films will premiere at a special gala event in London with leading TV and science figures in attendance. They will also be showcased on Channel 4's FourDocs and entered for the Wellcome Broadcast Development Awards.
"The key to good science factual programming has to be trust and collaboration between filmmakers and scientists," says Clare Matterson, Director of Medicine, Society and History at the Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity. "Scientists are incredibly creative people with many ideas just waiting to be captured on film. Science on Film will enable them to work with leading filmmakers to develop their ability to tell their stories to a wider audience through documentary making.
"The scheme isn't necessarily looking for the next Robert Winston or David Attenborough. Instead, we want to provide scientists with the skills for documentary making and filmmakers with a deeper understanding of science."
The involvement of the Documentary Filmmakers Group is crucial to the success of Science of Film, which promotes documentary filmmaking talent and innovation in the UK.
“Science on Film is a really exciting opportunity for emerging filmmakers to think outside the box and develop ideas that make science accessible and engaging to new audiences," comments Andy Glynne, head of the Documentary Filmmakers Group. "Filmmakers and scientists might want to make a human story, an authored documentary or fun social experiment.
“We are delighted to be working with the Wellcome Trust on this ground-breaking initiative, and hope that it will help to promote a positive and productive partnership between the emerging generation of filmmakers and scientists.”
The deadline for applications to participate in Science on Film is Monday 10 December 2007. For more information and application forms contact DFG at info@dfgdocs.com, on 020 7249 6600 or visit the DFG website.
Contact
Craig Brierley
Media Officer
Wellcome Trust
T 020 7611 7329
E
c.brierley@wellcome.ac.uk
Jenny Saunders
Documentary Filmmakers Group
T 020 72496600 / 020 7923 2994
E
jenny@dfgdocs.com
Notes for editors
1. The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending around £500 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
2. The Documentary Filmmakers Group is the national organisation working to promote documentary filmmaking talent and innovation in the UK. It is the leading provider of training for established and aspiring documentary filmmakers, and organises a range of exclusive events and networking opportunities for those looking to get ahead in documentary filmmaking. DFG is also behind the world's largest online documentary resource.
3. Wellcome Trust Broadcast Development Awards offer funding of up to £10 000 to support the development of early-stage broadcast projects inspired by biomedical science.