Symbiosis is no longer hosted by ISF. It lives on and has migrated to the Science New Wave ecosystem and is presented by Labocine. Symbiosis will now take place in the spring. Applications are open—Learn more about Symbiosis 2025 and application guidelines.
SYMBIOSIS
Scientists & filmmakers are paired every year at the annual festival
to make new forms of science cinema.
The 2024 Symbiosis takes place from October 18-25 during the 17th Annual Science New Wave Festival. The one-week intensive program will lead to 6 original films.
Submissions Are Now Closed
This initiative is supported by the Simons Foundation
WATCH: One Scientist. One Filmmaker. One Week to Make a Film
One Artist. One Scientist. One Week to Make a Film.
2024 Symbiosis Participants
to make new forms of science cinema.
The 2024 Symbiosis takes place from October 18-25 during the 17th Annual Science New Wave Festival. The one-week intensive program will lead to 6 original films.
Submissions Are Now Closed
This initiative is supported by the Simons Foundation
WATCH: One Scientist. One Filmmaker. One Week to Make a Film
One Artist. One Scientist. One Week to Make a Film.
2024 Symbiosis Participants
Submissions open: Feb 15 / Deadline: July 15
Submissions are currently open for the 11th edition of Symbiosis. The filmmaking intensive program takes place during the Science New Wave Festival in mid-October 2024.
[Required]
- Become a Science New Wave Member
>> Yearly Subscription is required for SNW Luminary eligibility.
- Complete your Habitat Profile via your Labocine Account
- Attach to email a Cover Letter (PDF) telling us about yourself and why you want to participate in the Symbiosis initiative at this year's festival.
- For both scientists + filmmakers, submit (at least) one video via the Labocine platform. It does not need to be science-themed! If you are submitting a film (credits, edited), send us a screener via the Film Submission Portal. For raw footage/research data (microscopy, data, simulation, fieldwork) submit it via the Scene Submission Portal.
[Optional]
- CV/Resume
- Creative portfolio: In the email, send us any links or attachments to other creative work and/or research.
[Send by email]
- Email us: symbiosis@imaginesciencefilms.org.
- Include in email title: Name - [Scientist OR Filmmaker]
- Share your public Habitat profile and Science New Wave ID in your email submission
Application Example:
Ramey Newell - Filmmaker
Habitat Profile: labocine.com/habitat/ramey.newell
SNW ID: CTTGATCGCTAT
[Mention/list in the email the material you are submitting to Labocine and included as links and/or attachments]
IMPORTANT: Participants are required to attend in person all Symbiosis events and be available in New York for the intensive week of production in New York that takes place in parallel to the annual film festival. You will not have much time to attend the actual film festival. We will help as much as we can with travel and accommodation for selected Symbiosis participants but we'll cross the 'logistics' bridge after you apply.
Any questions, send us an email to symbiosis@imaginesciencefilms.org
Submissions are currently open for the 11th edition of Symbiosis. The filmmaking intensive program takes place during the Science New Wave Festival in mid-October 2024.
[Required]
- Become a Science New Wave Member
>> Yearly Subscription is required for SNW Luminary eligibility.
- Complete your Habitat Profile via your Labocine Account
- Attach to email a Cover Letter (PDF) telling us about yourself and why you want to participate in the Symbiosis initiative at this year's festival.
- For both scientists + filmmakers, submit (at least) one video via the Labocine platform. It does not need to be science-themed! If you are submitting a film (credits, edited), send us a screener via the Film Submission Portal. For raw footage/research data (microscopy, data, simulation, fieldwork) submit it via the Scene Submission Portal.
[Optional]
- CV/Resume
- Creative portfolio: In the email, send us any links or attachments to other creative work and/or research.
[Send by email]
- Email us: symbiosis@imaginesciencefilms.org.
- Include in email title: Name - [Scientist OR Filmmaker]
- Share your public Habitat profile and Science New Wave ID in your email submission
Application Example:
Ramey Newell - Filmmaker
Habitat Profile: labocine.com/habitat/ramey.newell
SNW ID: CTTGATCGCTAT
[Mention/list in the email the material you are submitting to Labocine and included as links and/or attachments]
IMPORTANT: Participants are required to attend in person all Symbiosis events and be available in New York for the intensive week of production in New York that takes place in parallel to the annual film festival. You will not have much time to attend the actual film festival. We will help as much as we can with travel and accommodation for selected Symbiosis participants but we'll cross the 'logistics' bridge after you apply.
Any questions, send us an email to symbiosis@imaginesciencefilms.org
Symbiosis is supported by the Simons Foundation
-
The Simons Foundation's Science, Society and Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. Through our initiatives, we work to inspire a feeling of awe and wonder, foster connections between people and science and support environments that provide a sense of belonging
Symbiosis Protocol
Open Call: Submissions open on Feb 15th.
Deadline for Submission: July 15th - no extensions. Please make sure to apply as early as possible!
Interviews: For those who make it to the interview stage, we will have a brief chat over zoom in August to learn more about you and your work.
Announcement: We announce the cohort in mid-September, approximately 1 month before the festival.
Output: We accept all formats: fiction, documentary, animation, interactive game, et al.
Stipend: Each pair will be given a $2,500 production fund.
Award: The winning team receives a $1,500 cash prize.
Open Call: Submissions open on Feb 15th.
Deadline for Submission: July 15th - no extensions. Please make sure to apply as early as possible!
Interviews: For those who make it to the interview stage, we will have a brief chat over zoom in August to learn more about you and your work.
Announcement: We announce the cohort in mid-September, approximately 1 month before the festival.
Output: We accept all formats: fiction, documentary, animation, interactive game, et al.
Stipend: Each pair will be given a $2,500 production fund.
Award: The winning team receives a $1,500 cash prize.
Frequently Asked Questions
The values & traits of Symbiosis
- 1ParticipantsDuring production, filmmakers share with scientists their craft and scientists share with filmmakers their process.
- 2Local audienceThe public is invited to participate in production during special events designed to stimulate conversation about science on film.
- 3International stageOriginal science films are released into the wild. And by wild, we mean the international film festival circuit and beyond. Films have gone on to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Sundance, Berlinale & New York Film Festival!
The theme is SCIENCE NEW WAVE
Scientific pursuit is free to co-exist and blend freely across disciplines and cultures.
