National science film festival planned for August

SCINEMA has received a 2008 National Science Week grant, enabling the festival to travel to venues across Australia, bringing a program of science drama, documentaries and guest speakers, to over 150 towns and cities across Australia.

“We want to bring SCINEMA to as many small regional towns as possible,” festival Director Cris Kennedy of CSIRO says.

“We offer our programs free to venues such as town halls, museums and public libraries, interested in bringing SCINEMA to their home town and willing to offer free public screenings.”

SCINEMA is also looking for science-themed films from Australian film-makers to screen as part of the Festival.

“We’re especially keen to hear from student film-makers this year,” Mr Kennedy says.

“SCINEMA gives film-makers an opportunity to have their films seen by an audience, with both the viewing audience and a jury of peers rewarding films with trophies in a number of categories.

“Our program for 2008 is looking strong, with some amazing films on topics ranging from climate change, human health and natural history, to broader social films.”

Since its launch in 2000, SCINEMA has played to tens of thousands of people across Australia.

SCINEMA – pronounced with a long ‘i’ to emphasise the science behind the cinema – is a partnership of CSIRO, Cosmos Magazine and the National Museum of Australia, with funding from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research’s National Science Week program and ACT Department of Health. 

Filmmakers and venues interested in SCINEMA can find out more at: www.csiro.au/scinema

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