SWISS
SCIENCE FILM ACADEMY
Program 2024
Scientists-as-Filmmakers
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Thursday 7 November, 09:30
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 20:00
"IT'S NICE"
SWITZERLAND 2024, 5 min, different languages with English subtitles
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Mélinda Dinh
University of Geneva
nccr on the move
Carol Pierre
University of Neuchâtel
nccr on the move
Venus Marie Rojas
University of Basel
STORY
This short documentary provides a snapshot of migration journeys through the voices of people working in Zurich’s small businesses. Through brief encounters the film reveals individual’s first impressions of Switzerland. It emphasises the uniqueness of the people behind migration data and offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of cultural diversity in this Swiss city.
Bern (cineClub)
Friday 8 November, 18:15
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 14:00
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 17:15
DEAR...
SWITZERLAND-UKRAINE 2024, 4 min, Ukrainian with English subtitles
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Anastasiia Shevchenko
University of Lausanne
Antonina Skydanova
University of Friboug
Nataliya Borys
University of Geneva
Venus Marie Rojas
University of Basel
MENTOR
Samer Angelone
STORY
A cosy university campus. A minute for a coffee. It's time to check your inbox for that email you've been waiting for. Among the many recent emails that officially address you 'Dear', this one is special.
Lugano (Nielsen Auditorium)
Friday 8 November, 17:00
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 17:20
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 14:00
THE BRICK CONSPIRACY
SWITZERLAND 2024, 4 min, English
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Selim Bouaouina
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute / University of Basel
Accursio Graffeo
University of Turin
Fondazione Bruno Kessler
Matthias Gerber
WSL – Institute For Snow and Avalanche Research
MENTOR
Jasmine Jacot-Descombes (NZZ)
STORY
A Lego family encounters conflicting information about the strength of red vs. white bricks, sparking a debate fueled by social media conspiracies. As doubt spreads, real-life consequences follow.
Lugano (Nielsen Auditorium)
Friday 8 November, 17:00
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 11:00
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 17:15
UNUSUAL DAY
SWITZERLAND 2024, 3 min, English
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Réka Enz
ETH Zurich
Jana Bünzli
ETH Zurich
Sophie Gorbachov
ETH Zurich
Yakine Raach
University of Basel
Stephan Räss
University of Bern
Daniela Berardinelli
University Of Turin
MENTOR
Albert Blanch
STORY
We spend a day with a young woman. But what seems slightly unusual at first is, in fact, her everyday reality.
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 11:00
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 11:00
ANIMAL CRIMINALS
SWITZERLAND 2024, 5 min, English
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Eléonore Perret
ETH Zurich
Benjamin Sichert
University of Basel
Nadine Kjelsberg
University of Bern
Chun Chung Yeung
ETH Zurich
MENTOR
Tatiana Keller
STORY
Rumor is circulating that the forest critters are devouring tree seeds and preventing forest regeneration. One summer day, as heated debates ripple through the rattling leaves, a mysterious two-legged creature arrives. She carries with her something peculiar—a prison cell, perhaps? But who is she here to imprison? The fate of the forest may depend on it...
Bern (cineClub)
Friday 8 November, 18:15
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 17:20
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 14:00
AM PULS DER BIENEN
SWITZERLAND 2024, 4 min, German with English subtitles
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Jöri Hoppler
University of Bern
Victoria Junquera
University of Bern
MENTOR
Michelle Amstutz (NZZ)
STORY
The beekeeping station Pfannenstiel in Meilen, Zürich, is dedicated to the preservation of the European dark bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), which is the only honeybee that is endemic to Switzerland. We talked to Olivier Haymoz about his work at the station and how bees are doing nowadays.
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 11:00
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 11:00
OFF TRACK
SWITZERLAND 2024, 2 min, English
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Debarghya Dutta
University of Basel
Alessia Fransioli
Università della Svizzera Italiana
Andreas Henz
University of Zurich
Najmeh Kheram
University of Zurich
Danny Ward
University of Basel
MENTOR
Frederic Siegel (Team Tumult)
STORY
In Science, veering off an established path of research is bold and takes a lot of courage. The journey is riddled with obstacles and doubts. But unexpected turns could lead one small voice to new solutions, updating predominant truths.
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 20:00
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 11:00
IDAPU
SWITZERLAND 2024, 4 min, Spanish with English subtitles
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Juan Carlos Copete Maturana
University of Zurich
Sarah Savina Anna Hartmann
University of Bern
MENTOR
Eda Elif Tibet
STORY
Indigenous wisdom is the science that connects us to the earth. Let’s stop the misappropriation and abuse of medicinal plants. Coca known as Ipadu is not a cult, instead let's cultivate cultures of care.
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 14:00
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 14:00
(IN)VISIBLE
SWITZERLAND 2024, 2 min, No dialogue
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Lena Schneider
University of Zurich
Elsa Obergfell Thomaides
University of Basel
Veronica Cherdyntseva
University of Zurich
Jack Harrison
Paul Scherrer Institute
MENTOR
Katja Stirnemann
STORY
Invisible forces and tiny particles shape our existence, crafting the very fabric of the world around us. It is a realm of mystery and wonder, hiding in plain sight, whispering its secrets to those who seek to look closer. Is there way to see the unseen? As we pull back the veil, we find ourselves both observers and participants, intricately connected to the invisible forces that shape our reality.
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 17:20
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 14:00
OUR CHANGING FORESTS
SWITZERLAND 2024, 4 min, English
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Ross Shackleton
WSL
Kingshuk Kapuri
University of Bern
Chaitanya Arya
University of Basel
MENTOR
Barbara Gollwitzer (Plan Biodivers)
STORY
Since 2015, Europe’s forests have faced increasing defoliation (leaf loss) rates — which is a key sign of the declining health and vitality of trees. We explore this with researchers from the WSL. Can we make trees and forests more resilient to these global threats? This short documentary uncovers some options available for stabilising forests for the future.
Zurich (Filmpodium Cinema)
Saturday 9 November, 11:00
D-USYS: DESIGN THINKING
SWITZERLAND 2024, 4 min, English
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Judith Rehmann M.A.
Project Lead MML
Kenza Benabderrazik
Marion Lehner
Content Expert
Judith Rehmann M.A.
Script Development
Jeanine Reutemann
Backstopping
STORY
Identifying complex "wicked problems" is crucial in scientific work. This video on Design Thinking shows how empathy, ideation, prototyping, and learning from failures can turn challenges into innovative solutions. It equips scientists and innovators to tackle tough issues.
Basel (Stadtkino Cinema)
Sunday 10 November, 17:15
AFM-A SWISS SCCESS STORY
SWITZERLAND 2024, 6 min, English with German subtitles
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SCIENTISTS-AS-FILMMAKERS
Christel Möller
Swiss Nanoscience Institute
University of Basel
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STORY
Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) allow us to delve into the nanoworld – a world of atoms and molecules. Researchers from Switzerland have contributed significantly to the development of these microscopes and are still actively involved in using and advancing them.