By Mabel Pais

New York City’s Imagine Science Film Festival announced the lineup of films and events for the hybrid presentation of its 15th edition, taking place October 14-21. This year continues Imagine Science’s unique exploration through cinema of the intersection between science and society. This year’s theme is Science New Wave, characterized by its rejection of traditional scientific film conventions and stereotypes in favor of experimentation and personal expression. The festival will include 101 films (29 features and 72 short films) from 40 countries.

Imagine Science will also utilize its art/science networking tool, ‘Habitat,’ as well as the film festival’s own streaming platform, Labocine, as the only film festival which has its very own platform (as opposed to a third-party platform). The innovations allow the film festival to bring together art and science communities to spark true collaboration (Habitat) and encourage audiences to view the festival’s programming with an eye toward their greater mission to foster that intersection between art and science, like this year’s Science New Wave theme. This year’s initiative to engage art/science collaborations and a community of scientists and filmmakers beyond the NYC-based film festival itself has over 3000 multidisciplinary people participating on the ambitious project. Imagine Science FF Programming Coordinator Natalia Solórzano, said “This year’s Imagine Science Film Festival is by far the most ambitious undertaking, worthy of its 15th year of existence. Films coming from corners of the world will accompany us during these 8 days.”

ISFF Artistic Director and Founder Alexis Gambis, added, “Imagine Science ……. survived hurricanes, pandemics, and recessions. Experimentation, research, and community-building are part of this organization’s DNA. Imagine Science acts as a mirror to show others the many ways we can create and make scientifically enriched narratives. This year, we continue to celebrate the Science New Wave. It gave courage to an entire generation to experiment with the rules of storytelling and break away from conventions and rules. Godard forever.”

To learn more, visit imaginesciencefilms.org/ny15

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)