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SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT: Wildscreen brings together world-renowned scientists and wildlife filmmakers for science communications summit in Bristol

Wildscreen will host a brand new one-day hybrid event in Bristol on 12 March that will bring together scientists and filmmakers from the wildlife film and TV industry to discuss the impact of communicating scientific research and knowledge effectively on screen. 

Science in Storytelling, which takes place at the Bristol Beacon, will comprise a series of talks, Q&As, and panel discussions. 

The event will be hosted by field biologist, wildlife filmmaker and tv presenter Dan O’Neill. Full details of the sessions and speakers can be found below.  

Session 1: Striving for Symbiosis

An honest and candid conversation between a scientist and a series producer, touching on how working relationships between productions and scientists have been in the past, how they are now, and how we can move forward, striving for truly symbiotic relationships. 

• Professor Andy Radford - Professor of Behavioural Ecology, University of Bristol 
• Sharmila Choudhury - Series Producer, Humblebee Films 

Session 2: All Hail! The Science of Queens

Queens' is the first series to focus on the natural world from a female perspective. Join the queens of production and filmmaking behind the new female-led docuseries as they share the ins and outs of creating this new, powerful series whilst championing relationships with scientists and field specialists alike. 

• Justine Evans - Series Director of Photography 
• Ilaira Mallalieu – Producer/Director 
• Anna Finlay – Assistant Producer 
• Chloe Sarosh – Producer/Director 

Session 3: Crafting the Truth

How can we effectively communicate science and push the boundaries of natural history storytelling? This panel will come together to share their expertise in production, education, science communication and indigenous connection, shifting the narrative to create exciting and compelling stories, whilst keeping science and facts at heart. 

• Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza - PhD Chemical Biologist, Founder, Amazon Research International 
• Dr Reyhaneh Maktoufi - Science Communication and Outreach Fellow, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios 
• Dr Alex Bowmer - Director of Natural History, On the Edge 
• Lizzie Daly - Wildlife Biologist, Explorer and Presenter 

Session 4: Prehistoric Planet: Where Science Drives the Story

Dr Darren Naish & the team behind the Apple TV+ series Prehistoric Planet discuss their style of working together. The success of this innovative natural history series was solely reliant on water-tight scientific backing - without the science there was no story to tell!   

• Dr Darren Naish - Senior Scientific Advisor / Producer 
• Bob Spicer - Professor Emeritus, The Open University 
• Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone - Technical Specialist,  University of Bristol 
• Victoria Herridge - Academic, Scientist and freelance specialist factual broadcaster 
• Dr Simon Bell - Producer, BBC Studios, Natural History Unit 

The event takes place on Tuesday 12th March 2024 from 8.45am - 5pm at The Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon. 

Tickets are available here: https://events.wildscreen.org/products/science-in-storytelling  

• Full Pass = £80 
• Concession Festival Pass = £40 
• Online Pass = £20 

Tickets include full access to the event plus tea & coffee and lunch.

About Science in Storytelling

Science in Storytelling takes place at the Bristol Beacon on 12 March and will comprise a series of talks, Q&As, and panel discussions centred on themes such as improving working relationships between scientists and creatives, and issues around how scientific broadcasting is commissioned and produced, as well as taking behind the scenes of the creation of new and innovative natural history series - and the scientists that supported them.

The natural history programming sector faces challenges in the coming years, with a slowdown in commissioning making competition harder. Budget squeezes is forcing production companies to do more with less, whilst still delivering innovative new stories. When it comes to finding and telling those stories, the relationship between those with the knowledge (the scientists) and those who want to share it (filmmakers) has never been more important. 

Lucie Muir, CEO of Wildscreen, said: "While wildlife film and TV is often seen as being about entertainment, it also plays an important role in educating people about environmental issues. The science behind this is key, so with this event we want to put science in the spotlight and highlight the importance of nurturing relationships between those with knowledge, and those who want to share it. We want to platform successful case studies of scientists and filmmakers coming together to communicate science effectively and creatively, in order to reach audiences of millions.”