ISFF 2023
Oct 13-20, 2023
Submission will open Feb 15
When will the festival take place?
The 16th Imagine Science Film Festival will take place from October 13-20, 2023.
What kinds of films should I submit?
Startle us, surprise us, amaze us! We always love films that defy categorization: show us fictional documentaries, scientific fact expressed through gripping stories, eye-grabbing data visualizations, thought-provoking experimental film, and innovative animation! And of course, we'll always welcome documentaries with a strong narrative thread, and science fiction with a sound scientific basis.
We accept submissions in three categories: Shorts, Documentaries, and Features. Shorts and Documentaries may be up to 40 minutes in length, features are considered to be any film, fiction or documentary, over 40 minutes in length.
We accept submissions in three categories: Shorts, Documentaries, and Features. Shorts and Documentaries may be up to 40 minutes in length, features are considered to be any film, fiction or documentary, over 40 minutes in length.
What are the submission deadlines and fees?
+ Submissions open Feb 15
+ Earlybird deadline April 15 — $15
+ Regular deadline June 15 — $20
+ Late deadline August 15 — $25
+ Earlybird deadline April 15 — $15
+ Regular deadline June 15 — $20
+ Late deadline August 15 — $25
Are the films in competition and where will they be played
Yes. Our films are eligible for several awards and cash prizes.
Science New Wave features are in competition. They will play both in-person at one of our venues and online via our sister platform (Labocine.com). They include a slate of a dozen films that proposes a visionary look on how to bring science into film. The winner will receive the WarnerMedia OneFifty award.
Spotlights features include special programs (out of competition) that are timely, not shying away from controversial topics while providing a well-balanced state-of-matters related to scientific issues and crises. These also include retrospective of some of our favorite works
All short films are in competition and they'll be included in our short programs. They will play this year online on our sister platform Labocine.com. Awards include the In Vivo Award, the Theme-Sensitive Award, the Avant-Garde Award, and the Jury's Choice Award. TheSymbiosis Award is given every year for the Symbiosis scientist / filmmaker competition (learn more and apply by Aug 15 here). Awards are sponsored by a myriad of like-minded science and art organizations.
Science New Wave features are in competition. They will play both in-person at one of our venues and online via our sister platform (Labocine.com). They include a slate of a dozen films that proposes a visionary look on how to bring science into film. The winner will receive the WarnerMedia OneFifty award.
Spotlights features include special programs (out of competition) that are timely, not shying away from controversial topics while providing a well-balanced state-of-matters related to scientific issues and crises. These also include retrospective of some of our favorite works
All short films are in competition and they'll be included in our short programs. They will play this year online on our sister platform Labocine.com. Awards include the In Vivo Award, the Theme-Sensitive Award, the Avant-Garde Award, and the Jury's Choice Award. TheSymbiosis Award is given every year for the Symbiosis scientist / filmmaker competition (learn more and apply by Aug 15 here). Awards are sponsored by a myriad of like-minded science and art organizations.
Science New Wave
Films in competition that proposes bold, singular and oftentimes hybrid ways to communicate science. These films are considered to be visionary and outside of the (science) box.
Films in competition that proposes bold, singular and oftentimes hybrid ways to communicate science. These films are considered to be visionary and outside of the (science) box.
Spotlight
Special programs out of competition that are timely, not shying away from controversial topics while providing a well-balanced state-of-matters related to scientific issues and crises. These also include retrospective of some of our favorite works
Special programs out of competition that are timely, not shying away from controversial topics while providing a well-balanced state-of-matters related to scientific issues and crises. These also include retrospective of some of our favorite works
Honorable Mentions
Every year, we pay tribute to some noteworthy films, that we feel are particularly timely.
Every year, we pay tribute to some noteworthy films, that we feel are particularly timely.
Short Film Awards
Our short films are up for several awards:
In Vivo: realistic and human depiction of a scientist or science on screen
Theme-Sensitive: emphasis on narrative, storytelling related to this year's topic.
Avant-Garde: bold storytelling and hybrid aesthetics and narrative.
Symbiosis Award: awarded to the film made in this year's Symbiosis competition that best embraces the idea of collaboration, scientific storytelling and originality.
In Vivo: realistic and human depiction of a scientist or science on screen
Theme-Sensitive: emphasis on narrative, storytelling related to this year's topic.
Avant-Garde: bold storytelling and hybrid aesthetics and narrative.
Symbiosis Award: awarded to the film made in this year's Symbiosis competition that best embraces the idea of collaboration, scientific storytelling and originality.
I'm a scientist. Can I submit my lab and experiment footage?
Yes, absolutely. We have a new initiative just for that, SCENES. Submitting your data and lab footage will allow it to be shown not only in the festival but via also in our SCENES archive. Read about the project and submit your footage on Labocine, here.
What submission formats do you accept?
All of our film submissions are now online through Film Freeway. If invited to the festival, we will request digital hi-res files for screenings.
Any questions:
programming
@imaginesciencefilms.org
programming
@imaginesciencefilms.org
Image above: Daniel Olah
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