Science at Sheffield
The jam-packed Science at Sheffield strand, supported by the Wellcome Trust, includes live pitches, animated panel sessions, film screenings with Q&A, plus fantastic opportunities to network with some of the country’s leading scientists. The sessions and screenings focus on documentaries and programming which explore scientific themes, and speakers include an inspiring mix of commissioners, scientists and filmmakers. Everyone's welcome!
The strand begins Thursday afternoon and runs all day Friday 14 June
Social Events
Wellcome Trust Drinks
14 Jun 17:30 / THE CRUCIBLE ADELPHI
Come and catch up about this year’s broadcast and games projects, meet scientists and commissioners, and celebrate the announcement of the Wellcome Trust Pitch winners with a glass of wine.
Sessions
University of Sheffield Meet the Academics Pitch
13 Jun 16:15 - 17:30
Meet the Academics is an opportunity to pitch academic research as a documentary to a panel of producers and commissioners working for UK and international broadcasters specialising in subjects from science, history, social science and natural history to art, literature, religion and politics. UK broadcasters are world renowned for their ground-breaking programmes in these areas. Behind these programmes are the experts who know their subject inside out, and want to get it out into the world. Academics work with broadcasters and producers as consultants, contributors and presenters, and they are part of the backbone of our world-class factual filmmaking.
Science Television – Hitting Pay Dirt
13 Jun 17:30 - 19:00
Science is international – so in theory it lends itself to international co-production. But one person’s treasure may be another person’s trash: audience expectations vary enormously from channel to channel and territory to territory and the commissioning briefs vary accordingly. What are the current trends in science and natural history program formats and storytelling and do they travel across borders? Commissioning executives share what's been working well on their channels in the science and natural history genres and discuss where upcoming opportunities exist for producers working in these genres.
Trendspotting on Platforms
14 Jun 11:15 - 12:45
How are audiences engaging with content on different distribution platforms? What makes them approach one over another? And where does that leave ‘traditional’ television? This session explores the realities of what brings audiences in, what keeps them hooked, and what has them turning to a different screen, as well as the difference that content genre makes. This expert panel of leading commissioners, audience analysts and producers will share their unique and wide-ranging insights into how their projects have been consumed and how this is shaping the direction of content production to come.
The Wellcome Trust Development Awards Pitch
14 Jun 16:00 - 17:30
The Wellcome Trust Development Awards Pitch returns for a sixth year. Five programme makers will pitch their ideas to a panel of leading broadcast figures. Awards of up to £10,000 are available and there could be more than one winner. The prize will enable the pitched ideas to be developed into high impact, well researched proposals to help secure a UK distribution platform and production funding. The pitch and the announcement of the awards takes place as part of the Science at Sheffield Programme.
Films
9.79*
Thursday 13, 18:15, Library Theatre + Q&A
Thursday 13, 18:45, Howard Street Screen
Seoul Olympics, 1988: The world’s eyes are on the final of the men’s 100m, where arch rivals Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson are pitted against each. Johnson takes the gold – an agonizing defeat for Lewis. Just hours later, in one of the most dramatic moments in Olympic history, organizers announce Johnson has tested positive for banned substances, and strip him of his win – handing the gold to Lewis. For the first time, all eight 100m athletes and a number of other contemporaries reconstruct the race and the climate of the times. Director Daniel Gordon depicts a fascinating period where steroid abuse became an open secret amongst athletes. With drug testing in it's infancy – and only performed at times of competition – some athletes played roulette as they sought to maximize their performance without detection. Those who chose not to looked on in frustration as the playing field became increasingly uneven.
The Crash Reel
Thursday 13, 18:00, PBS America Showroom 3 + Q&A
Saturday 15, 16:15, PBS America Showroom 3 + Q&A
Fearless from an early age, Vermont native Kevin Pearce had become one of the U.S.’s most talented snowboarders by the time he was 17, making a name for himself for feats of breathtaking acrobatics on the half-pipe. But during a training session for the Vancouver Olympics, disaster struck – Pearce landed on his head, suffering a catastrophic brain injury. Acclaimed British doc veteran Lucy Walker takes us deep into Pearce’s recovery world, and his attempt to reclaim his former life. This remarkable doc works on a number of levels, both as a sports doc and an examination of the enormous ripple effect of Pearce’s injury. Throughout, Pearce has the support of his tight-knit family, not least his brother David, who struggles to come to terms with his own disability, Down’s Syndrome, and is terrified that his brother’s determination to return to the slopes will only lead to disaster.
The Best Medicine
Friday 14, 15:30, ODEON – Showing as part of the Short Doc Programme 1
Having lost his lifestyle to a chronic illness, Jon’s explosive rage and sleep apnea threw him into a violent, lonely place. Neither drugs nor surgery have worked, but the liberating power of laughter therapy lightens his burden with infectiously funny force, and hope.
The Man Whose Mind Exploded
Thursday 13, 15:45, Showroom 2 + Q&A
Saturday 15, 10:30, Library Theatre + Q&A
Drako Zarhazar lives in the here and now. He doesn't have much choice: his anterograde amnesia means he can't create new memories. He's certainly had his share of life's woes -- he's quick to tell you he has survived two comas, two nervous breakdowns and two suicide attempts. Despite past angst, the Drako of the present is cheerful and extroverted, and more than happy to let Toby Amies film him, in all his tattooed, frequently naked glory. His heaving Brighton flat is a phallic themed art installation, with many mementos of Drako's colourful past. It's also increasingly a health hazard. Over the months, Toby becomes more than documentarian, filling in as both carer and friend. He struggles to keep Drako safe and under the radar from social services in this tender and nuanced portrait of an outsider.