Storytelling & Storyboarding Science at Locarno Film Festival

Course program:
I. Theory

• Scientists learn storytelling and storyboarding from the masters of narrative, the filmmakers.
• Scientists learn how to borrow communication strategies and techniques from filmmakers and how to apply them in communicating their science. This will help them to engage audience and increase uptake by incorporating narrative attributes into their teaching, divulgations and publications.

II. Practice

• Scientists re-write their biographies, abstracts and presentations by using narrative attributes used by filmmakers
• Scientists attend the Locarno Film Festival. Which is a great opportunity for them to meet professional filmmakers and discuss with them storytelling technics that they can use in communicating their research
• Eventually, scientists can prepare films about their interviews with the filmmakers

We seek to challenge, inspire and train scientists to use narrative techniques and strategies employed in film to produce persuasive presentations and publications. Borrowing communication strategies and techniques from filmmakers and applying them in science communication will help scientists for better communication of their research, and scientists are wise enough to do so!

ECTS: 1.0. PhD students of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School have priority. External students can register to the waiting list and will be accepted if the course is not fully booked.

Registration Fee and Costs
Registration Fee: CHF 100, payable only after admission. This fee includes course materials, equipment, accommodation, and access to all film screenings at the Locarno Festival.
Travel: Participants are responsible for their travel expenses to Locarno.
Accommodation: Accommodation costs are covered by the organizers (shared rooms).
Meals: Participants cover their own meal expenses. Breakfast is provided free of charge by the hostel.