Three years ago, the Imagine Science Film Festival (ISFF) was born here, at The Rockefeller University (RU)—admittedly as one of its oddest spin-offs to this day. Why science and films? Well, the basic building blocks were already in place: the Rockefeller Film Series, a bunch of art-inclined scientists, and the ever pervasive TV with its customary representation of science as a realm of anti-social, solipsistic guys. Somehow, the idea of the festival brought these building blocks together—acted as a catalyzer, if you will, for a reaction whose goal was to renew how science, and scientists, are perceived.

The ISFF, led by RU’s alumnus Alexis Gambis, Ph.D., screened 38 films this year, each and every one of them selected for its depiction of rigorous scientific concepts within a compelling narrative. If you feel that description wasn’t all that clear, don’t think of it as a drawback, actually, it’s one of the best features this festival has because it attracts filmmakers from very different backgrounds, styles, and nationalities. Among the 38 submissions were short films, feature films, documentaries, mockumentaries, experimental videos… plenty of everything one could ask for was screened.

Let’s review the highlights: Isabella Rossellini brought her “Green Porno” series to TriBeCa Cinemas. Produced for the Sundance Channel, and with help from a jaw-dropping team of costume and art designers, she impersonates a variety of animals—including sperm whales, mantises, and squids— while discovering unknown aspects of their sexual lives. John Amiel attended the screening of Creation at CUNY’s Graduate Center. His Hollywood feature film is based on the biographical book Annie’s Box, by Randal Keynes—the actual great-grandson of Darwin. In the film, John Amiel explores the more intimate side of Darwin’s life and part of the process that ultimately led him to publish his milestone work, On the Origin of Species.

But of course, these are high profile players; what about the rest? Well, there were many interesting films from new filmmakers: an eyeful of sound invited the audience to experience what synesthesia feels like, and did it so well that it won the Nature Scientific Merit Award this year. Another winner, this time the Nature People’s Choice Award, was Marius Borodine, for his story about a genius’ spectacular new invention that can transform any and all objects into drinkable water; it bewilders the public, scientific communities, and the family of the misunderstood creator, especially after he takes it one step too far. And yet another one, the Honorable Mention went to Skhizein, for a story about a guy who, having been struck by a 150-ton meteorite, has to adapt to living precisely 91 centimeters from himself. If he wants to open a door, sit on a chair, or pick up the phone, he just has to do so from 91 centimeters away. There was live music at The Bell House where The Amygdaloids played “Mind Over Matter” and showed their latest video clip, part of the album Theory of Mind. And, because not everything is intended for brainiacs, there was a day tailored for kids at New York Hall of Science where they enjoyed “Meet the Elements”, a music video about the high and lows of the elements of the periodic table. The animated song was from the indie rock band, They Might Be Giants.

If you want to know more, take a look at http://imaginesciencefilms.com/festival/2010-films/ to see the rest of the films. In this case the jury was not just honorable, but highly remarkable: the fantastic science writer Carl Zimmer, the scientist-turned-filmmaker Randy Olson, and the award-winning writer and director Valerie Weiss. Apart from them, many others have backed the ISFF this year: Nature magazine, Science magazine, The Science and Entertainment Exchange (a must-know initiative bringing together Hollywood and science), Vimeo, Discover magazine, the NYAS, Sundance Channel, and others.

The guy behind all this is the aforementioned Alexis Gambis. While a student at RU, he conducted the Film Series some of you must have attended. He developed an increasing interest in films, shot several while doing his doctoral research and, after graduating, applied to the NYU Tisch Film School. He’s now in his second year at Tisch, producing his third film, and writing a feature one, Fly Room, in which scientific breakthrough intermingles with human drama. It’s a docu-fiction based on the life of Columbia University Nobel Laureate, Calvin Bridges, who harbors a true passion for science and women.
The same obsessive nature that brings him scientific recognition and fame becomes a destructive force outside of the confines of the small claustrophobic 26 square foot laboratory known as the Fly Room.

Alexis has followed an unusual path for a scientist but one that can help make a difference. Can you imagine if science ever had a character like Marlon Brando in The Godfather, what an impact such a movie could have in the public perception of scientists?

If you want to find out, come! If you haven’t attended this year, do not miss it next time, either at The Bell House, together with the Secret Science Club guys, or at Indiescreen, or maybe at CUNY’s Graduate Center, as a member of the audience or the volunteer crew. You’ll have a good time and, who knows, maybe you’ll find a new hobby or career opportunity that was waiting just around the corner.

For more info, footage and pictures, please visit http://www.imaginesciencefilms.com/