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SYMBIOSIS
Scientists & filmmakers are paired every year at the annual festival
to make new forms of science cinema.

The 2024 Symbiosis Competition will lead to 6 original films.
They will be inspired by the theme of this year's festival.

Submissions Open on February 15, 2024.

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.
2023 Symbiosis Participants

More info on how to apply, guidelines and Symbiosis films below
Submissions open: Feb 15 / Deadline: July 15
Submissions for Symbiosis open this year on the same day as the Film Submissions. The competition takes place during the Science New Wave Festival in mid-October 2024.

[Required]
- Become a Science New Wave Member
<< requirement to apply & review your application >>
- 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 (complete film, a clip, raw data, microscopy, simulation, fieldwork) via the Labocine platform. If it is a complete film, send us a screener via the Film Submission Portal. Any other video submission, submit a preview link 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]
(ex: Meilin Fernandez - Scientist)
- 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 15

Deadline for Submission: July 15 - no extension. Please make sure to apply as early as possible!

Interviews For those that complete the guidelines specified above, we'll have a brief chat over the next few ones. We speak to everyone to apply.

Announcement: We announce the cohort in Mid-September, approximately 1 month before the festival.

Output: We accept all formats: fiction, documentary, animation, installation, interactive game.

Stipend: Each pair will be given $2,500 production fund.

Award: Winning team receives $1,500 cash prize

Watch Symbiosis films from prior years on Labocine Playlist Scientist-Filmmaker Collaborations.
Check out the program for the 2023 Symbiosis running from October 20-27
Frequently Asked Questions
The values & traits of Symbiosis
  • 1
    Participants
    During production, filmmakers share with scientists their craft and scientists share with filmmakers their process.
  • 2
    Local audience
    The public is invited to participate in production during special events designed to stimulate conversation about science on film.
  • 3
    International stage
    Original 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.
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