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.