A colourful Australian spider, the famous British physicist Brian Cox, and some slowly moving plants are some of the stars of the SCINEMA international science film festival, screening at UNSW this weekend.
Deborah Smith
UNSW Media
9385 7307 or 0478 492 060
deborah.smith@unsw.edu.au
UNSW will host the international science film festival SCINEMA this weekend, with a tiny colourful Australian spider, the famous British physicist Brian Cox, and some slowly moving plants starring in winning films to be screened.
Six films from over 1300 entries from 80 countries were chosen as winners, representing Australia, France, Poland, the UK and the US.
They will be exclusively shown at seven Festival screenings in capitals across Australia on Saturday 18 June, including at the only event to be held in Sydney, in UNSW’s Ritchie Theatre.
“UNSW Science has a tradition of collaborating with artists, writers and photographers to help convey the wonders of science to as broad an audience as possible,” says UNSW Acting Dean of Science Professor Peter Lovibond. “We are pleased that for the first time this year we will also be hosting this exciting film festival so more fascinating stories of science can be told to Sydneysiders on the big screen.”
Established in 2000, SCINEMA is presented by Australia’s Science Channel and provides a platform for professional, amateur and student film makers to showcase their work.
The winning films are:
SCINEMA BEST FILM
Maratus by Simon Cunich (Australia)
A funny and moving film about a garbage collector who takes a photo of a tiny colourful spider – a move that changes his life.
SCINEMA BEST SHORT FILM
The Amazing Life Cycle of the European Eel by Sofia Castello y Tickell (UK)
The Romans kept European eels as pets and adorned them as jewellery. Today these overlooked creatures still travel more than 12,000 kilometres back and forth from the Sargasso Sea to complete their life cycles.
SCINEMA BEST DOCUMENTARY
Hilleman – A Perilous Quest to Save the World's Children by Donald Mitchell (USA)
American scientist Maurice Hilleman developed more than half the vaccines children receive today, saving millions of lives. Yet few have heard of him.
SCINEMA AWARD FOR BEST EXPERIMENTAL/ANIMATED FILM
Metamorphosis of Plants by Urszula Zajączkowska (Poland)
The result of two years spent watching and analysing the metamorphosis of plants, this film reveals their movements that are invisible to the naked eye.
SCINEMA AWARD FOR TECHNICAL MERIT
Corpus by Marc Héricher (France)
A mesmerising film about a complex chain reaction that brings human organs to life.
SCINEMA AWARD FOR SCIENTIFIC MERIT
Wonders of Life – Size Matters by Paul Olding (UK)
Professor Brian Cox travels to Australia to explore how size dictates which forces of nature influence life.
What: SCINEMA international science film festival
When: Saturday, 18 June 2016, 4–7pm
Where: Ritchie Theatre, Scientia Building, UNSW
Cost: $10. Buy tickets here.
Note: SCINEMA contains material that is rated M (course language) and not recommended for persons under 15 years of age. Persons under 15 years of age may attend if they are accompanied by an adult.