Coming to Basel: Exposure Science Film Hackathon

Are you a scientist, filmmaker, artist or storyteller? Exposure Science Film Hackathon brings together talented and driven individuals to explore science communication through short films. After stops in Lausanne and Geneva, this SNF-funded event finally comes to the University of Basel in February 2019. Apply now. Robbie I’Anson Price gives you the scoop.

Guest author: Robbie I’Anson Price | Exposure Science Film Hackathon

Our rationale

About 13.5 billion years ago the Big Bang brought us physics, about 3.8 billion years ago molecules came together to make life and about seventy thousand years ago the humans we see every day came into being. We have discovered and divided atoms and multiplied DNA and cured countless diseases. In terms of our ability to manipulate our environment, we have advanced far beyond any other organism.

However, this manipulation of our environment has brought us to a period in which humanity’s future depends on the decisions we make and in many countries around the world, science is being disregarded in favor of profits. Our challenge is clear — to be better communicators and reach people with meaningful information.

One way to do this is to create strong relationships between science, art and the public. We want Exposure Science Film Hackathon to be an artistic bridge between the worlds of science and society. Through better communication we can re-establish trust in the science that is so critical to our existence.

The process

For each event we accept 40 participants from various areas of science and art. In teams of four, created by the organizers, they must choose a scientific concept, write a script that uses narrative to communicate the concept and create a film. During the 3-day hackathon we provide intense training on reaching the public, storytelling and filmmaking. The teams are also supported by mentors that are experts in areas of science, science communication and filmmaking. By the end of the third day the teams have completed their films and we finally relax for a private screening. Around three days later the films are presented publicly in an evening celebrating science cinema.

Robbie I’Anson Price is project manager at Exposure Science Film Hackathon.

For more information:
www.exposurehackathon.com
exposure@thecatalyst.ch