Short Science Film Makers honoured at Royal Institution ceremony

12/07/10
The winners of the annual Planet SciCast competition - which challenges schools, families and professional scientists to make short films with a science theme - will be honoured at a BAFTA-style ceremony at the Royal Institution on Friday 16 July, hosted by The One Show's technology reporter, Marty Jopson.

Through Planet SciCast, the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA), EngineeringUK and the Institute of Physics aim to increase creativity in and out of the classroom, boost science engagement and create the world's most entertaining science resource.

55 teams comprising over 450 people from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland have been nominated in 12 categories, with the coveted Best Film prize also to be announced at the ceremony. Entries are judged by a celebrity panel on their ability to depict fascinating scientific facts or demonstrations in a unique way. Films must be short, original, and 'not boring.'

Marty Jopson said "Some of the films this year are entirely crazy, but they make you laugh and they make you think. It's terrific to see teams of young people, families, teachers, technicians, and professional scientists engaging with science and engineering in this way. With video technology getting ever cheaper, more accessible, and higher-quality, this project is a brilliant example of how an audience can become its own broadcaster."

Benedict Arora NESTA Programme Director, Education, adds: "I'm delighted that this year even more of our young film-makers have answered the call to be creative as well as scientifically accurate. The serious challenges we will face in our future will be tackled by the generation of scientists finding their inspiration right now. Their creative approach to science will be crucial, and we see SciCast as a catalyst for the kind of innovative thinking this country needs."

Caitlin Watson, Physics in Society Manager at the Institute of Physics (IOP) said: "The entries to the competition this year have been outstanding and the ingenuity with which the students have approached the topics show brilliantly how creativity and imagination are vital elements of science."

Note to Editors

To attend the event or to arrange interviews, please call Catherine Anderson on 02074382609 or email catherine.anderson@nesta.org.uk

To view the nominated films, please visit: http://www.planet-scicast.org.uk/nominations2010.html

About NESTA
NESTA is the largest independent endowment in the UK. Its mission is to support innovation to drive economic recovery and solve some of the UK's major social challenges. NESTA is a world leader in its field and promotes innovation through a blend of practical programmes, policy and research and investment in early-stage companies. www.nesta.org.uk

Planet SciCast
Planet SciCast has been supported by NESTA since its inception in 2005. The competition encourages children, young people, teachers, parents, science communicators and science/ engineering/ technology professionals to make and share short films about STEM subjects, encouraging young people in particular to experience science as a creative and practical endeavour.

The project has now amassed more than five hundred short films, available through its website as a free resource for educators, families, and individuals. www.planet-scicast.com

The IOP
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of more than 36 000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public. Its publishing company, IOP Publishing, is a world leader in scientific publishing and the electronic dissemination of physics. www.iop.org