On April 6, the Science Film Laboratory 2.0 announced a call for applications to participate in this multiformat project founded by film director Yulia Kiseleva, Skoltech, and the MSU Department of Chemistry with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. This year, the focus is on ecology and reasonable consumption.

The project will bring together filmmakers, scientists, curators, and film festival professionals with an interest in creating and distributing science films. The goal is to train science film directors and build an environment conducive to effective communication between filmmakers and scientists.

“Popularization of science is an important goal for Skoltech, so we are only too happy to support the Science Film Laboratory. Last year, our researchers took part in creating the almanac of short films ‘16 Ways to Change the World,’ which has been screened all over the country. One of the films won an international award. It is great to see the science film industry come to life, and to be part of the process,” Skoltech Senior Vice President for Development Alexander Safonov said.

Participation is free and open to applicants from all Russian regions. Based on the competition results, 23 candidates will be admitted to the filmmaking workshop, where they will take an online course in science film dramaturgy, direction, and production delivered by the industry’s top experts and participate in roundtables and public discussions.

“Over the last few years, we have seen a surge of spectator interest in Russian science films,” Yulia Kiseleva commented. “Yet, the industry lacks directors capable of translating complex science into cinematic language in a way that avoids significant omissions and misinterpretations. Such a highly specialized educational track simply does not exist.”

The practical training stage involving script writing (jointly with Skoltech researchers and MSU chemists) and pitching will take place in Moscow. The authors of the 10 best scripts selected by the expert jury will receive grants for filming short documentaries. The best films will be included in the almanac which is scheduled to premiere in February 2024.

The Science Film Laboratory 2.0 was founded by film director Yulia Kiseleva, the winner of the For Loyalty to Science award and the Laurel Branch in Non-Fiction Films and Television awards (“Brain. The Second Universe,” “Robot, Do I Love You?”, “The Chip Inside Me,” and other films), and producer Lilia Sabirova.

Contact information:
Skoltech Communications
+7 (495) 280 14 81
communications@skoltech.ru