FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saint Paul, Minn. – A new annual international film festival featuring science-themed movies, documentaries, and short films from around the world will take place in the Twin Cities in September 2016. The Northstar Science Film Festival, a multi-day event, will feature a wide range of entertaining films, discussions with filmmakers, scientists and thought leaders, hands-on interactions, family-friendly experiences and comedic fun.
“Northstar is a one-of-a kind international festival celebrating the collision of science and entertainment,” said Ryan Johnson, Festival founder, science advocate, and attorney. “Our festival will entertain audiences while enhancing their understanding and appreciation of science through incredibly fascinating, fun, interactive, science entertainment. Northstar will deliver good science and good entertainment.”
“The concept is to tease out the science from any film—from a big budget action movie to an independent documentary, and to bring in super-cool scientists, engineers, and special effects folks to explore the fast-changing boundaries of what’s possible,” explained author, filmmaker, science advocate and speaker Shawn Otto, a Festival co-founder. “Minnesota is a world hub of innovation in many areas of science and technology, and is the ideal place to start this.”
Keynotes, workshops and panel discussions with scientists and filmmakers will examine how society uses entertainment to reflect and process real-world issues. “This is a great model for conversation,” offered Festival co-founder Tad Ware. “A zombie movie is, at its heart, a story of infectious disease. Godzilla is about the risks of nuclear technology. Superhero films bend the rules of physics while still inhabiting a believable world. At Northstar, we get to talk about those things and find out how science makes things more fun, not less.”
The festival will also include hands-on events for all ages, exciting demonstrations by renowned presenter William Gurstelle, workshops for budding filmmakers, and even science-themed comedy events.
A list of VIP guests is mounting, as Northstar Science generates interest across the scientific and media worlds. The Festival has the support of some leading science institutions, including the National Academy of Sciences, and its Science & Entertainment Exchange.
“Northstar Science Film Festival is like a dream come true for the Science & Entertainment Exchange,” said Ann Merchant, its Deputy Executive Director. “They’re creating such a sense of excitement about science films, connecting scientists to the filmmakers, and igniting a passion in the audience for this kind of content. I can’t tell you how enthusiastic we are about this!”
Northstar Science Film Festival runs September 15-18, 2016 in Twin Cities, Minnesota.
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Northstar Science Film Festival seeks to inspire passion for science by showcasing great science films, fostering connections between scientists and filmmakers, and providing opportunities for filmmakers who explore the ideas of science.
Contact:
Kevin Dragseth, Director of Communications
Northstar Science Film Festival
kevin@northstarscience.org
651.243.2589
