THE NATURE SCIENTIFIC MERIT AWARD
- Nature Publication Group, publisher of the leading international science journal, has provided awards to competing filmmakers for outstanding science films since the inception of the Imagine Science Film Festival in 2008. In 2009, the Nature Scientific Merit Award went to the film judged to be not only the most deserving but also the most scientifically accurate, Ruth Jarman and Joe Gerhard’s Magnetic Movie.
The Nature Scientific Merit Award – $2,500
The Nature Scientific Merit Award is awarded by a jury panel to the film that exemplifies science in storytelling and narrative filmmaking in a compelling, credible and inspiring manner. The 2008 Nature Scientific Merit Award was given to Jessica Sharzer for her film The Wormhole; 2009’s award went to Magnetic Movie.
From Ruth Jarman and Joe Gerhard, Directors of Magnetic Movie:
“We’ve been following the festival all week online and wished we were there to check out all the great films — now we’re totally amazed to have won this prize! We made Magnetic Movie during an incredible opportunity to spend time with space scientists at UC Berkeley, they were so generous with their time and knowledge, and were excited to see the finished result, we can’t wait to tell them the good news! As you send us this great news we are far from civilization deep inside England’s largest forest filming our next project. Thank you, Imagine Science Film Festival.” Jessica Sharzer on ISFF 2008:
- “There is an unfortunate split between science and art, both in school and in popular culture. The Imagine Science Film Festival is groundbreaking in bringing together scientists and filmmakers into a new dialogue which will, hopefully, inspire new representations of science on screen. It is certainly the first time I have ever shown my film to a room full of scientists.”
- As ISFF 2008’s official sponsor, Nature also provided the following award last year:
The 2008 Nature People’s Choice Award
The Nature People’s Choice Award was awarded based on audience members’ votes during the festival. Dara Bratt received the 2008 Nature People’s Choice Award and $2,500 for In Vivid Detail.
Dara Bratt on ISFF 2008:
- “It was an honor to be included in this visionary festival. The collaboration of science and film has unlimited possibilities…The full attendance at this festival only proves that the doors are wide open — there is a demand for narratives that interweave scientific themes. I am certain this festival will continue to garner prestige with every coming year and I look forward to participating in it again.”
