Science Film Festival has returned to Indonesia for its 13th edition, running from 18 October to 30 November 2022, this time in hybrid format. Initiated by Goethe-Institut, this annual event invites elementary to high school students in 55 cities across the archipelago to explore the theme “Equal Opportunities in Science” through the screening of international films accompanied by various fun science experiments.
The Science Film Festival is a celebration of science communication in Southeast and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In cooperation with local partners, it promotes science literacy and facilitates awareness of contemporary scientific, technological and environmental issues through international films with accompanying educational activities.
Science Film Festival 2022 in Indonesia will screen 17 films from 10 countries, namely South Africa, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Germany, Spain, and Thailand, all dubbed in Indonesian. The films are scheduled to be screened consecutively offline at schools in the Jabodetabek area, Bandung, Sidoarjo and Medan. In addition, a number of science centres in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Pontianak will also hold offline screenings and science experiments.
Meanwhile, film screenings and science experiments will take place online via the Zoom platform for students in cities other than those mentioned above, such as Aceh, Bintuni, Bombana, Denpasar, Fakfak, East Flores, Humbang Hasundutan, Indramayu, Jayapura, Kupang, Makassar, Maumere, Salatiga, Surabaya, Temanggung, Tentena, Tambolaka, Waikabubak, Waingapu, and others.
The opening of the Science Film Festival in Indonesia was held at GoetheHaus Jakarta on Tuesday 18 October 2022 and was attended by more than 200 students who watched the German film Nine-and-a-half – Your Reporters: Unimaginable! – What Thoughts Can Move (2021). This 10-minute film directed by Sarah Schultes tells the story of a reporter named Jana who meets a scientist that created a device that moves with the power of the mind. Jana also meets Philip, a mind-controlled prosthetic arm user. After watching the film, a number of students participated in a science experiment called “Moving Cans”. They were challenged to move a can without touching it and using only the provided items. On the experiment table, there was a balloon which was the key to the challenge. The students had to blow a balloon and rub it against their hair to generate static electricity. When placed near the can, the balloon was able to make it move. Equal Opportunities in Science This year the theme is “Equal Opportunities in Science”. Equal opportunity is a state of fairness in which individuals are treated equally, unhampered by artificial barriers or prejudices in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Today, science can exacerbate the equality divide among minorities and women in subtle and more pervasive ways and the continued underrepresentation of these groups in the scientific enterprise poses a challenge when cultivating an adequate international scientific workforce.
The theme of “equal opportunity” includes diversity and inclusiveness. Diversity in science means cultivating talent that promotes the full inclusion of excellence across the social spectrum, aiming to deliver excellence in STEM. A diverse and inclusive scientific workforce draws from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, thereby maximizing innovation and creativity in science.
“In the context and aftermath of the pandemic, diversity and inclusiveness matter more than ever. The Science Film Festival represents our commitment to making these issues visible: to show that studying and working in science is open to all and for the benefit of all sections of society. We are therefore proud to show our commitment to raise and increase awareness for a young audience with this theme,” says Dr. Stefan Dreyer, Director of Goethe-Institut Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand during the press conference and opening.
This year’s festival is supported by its long-standing partners, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the initiative “Schools: Partners for the Future” (PASCH), Bildungskooperation Deutsch (BKD), Rolls-Royce, SEAMEO STEM-ED, Paramadina University, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, and Jakarta State University.
Over the years, the festival has established itself as the largest event of its kind worldwide, with over 400,000 viewers in more than 20 countries during its 2021 instalment, including 28,770 viewers in Indonesia alone. This year’s festival runs internationally in 23 countries.
