Film, Workshops and Panel Discussions
Science Film Festival

In 2024, the Science Film Festival endeavors to spotlight films from around the world highlighting the crucial role played by net zero concepts and the circular economy in combatting the challenges posed by the climate crises.

Sat, 16.11.2024
Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

The Science Film Festival is a celebration of science communication in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. 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.

The event has grown considerably since its first edition in 2005, becoming the largest event of its kind worldwide reaching over half a million on-site viewers annually.

2024 Theme: Net Zero and the Circular Economy

In 2024, the Science Film Festival endeavors to spotlight films from around the world highlighting the crucial role played by net zero concepts and the circular economy. Our focus for this year is showcasing the importance of net zero concepts and the circular economy in addressing climate challenges.

Come and join us for the Science Film Festival Family Day at the Goethe-Institut on Saturday, 16th November 2024, where families will come together to explore the wonders of the circular economy through engaging science film screenings, interactive discussions and hands-on activities. A day full of innovation, creativity, and sustainable solutions for our future.

The Science Film Festival also takes place in different locations around South Africa with our trusted partners Play Africa and Centre for the Creative Arts. Please check their websites and social media channels to know more.

The partners for this year's cohort are Play Africa, a local organisation that plays a vital role in early childhood development (ECD) and foundation phase education for children aged 0-12, with outreach programs extending across the region. They will be facilitating film screenings, engaging activities and science experiments for children.

Soul Indigenous Life (S.O.I.L) will be facilitating an urban food gardening workshop, using waste products as reusable recycling material. The net-zero initiatives and circular economy is the theme for this year's Science Film Festival Family Day and S.O.I.L will be engaging young ones through urban farming.  

Bitten Studio will delve into an engaging cooking workshop that will introduce children to the concept of a circular economy through a fun and engaging culinary activity using indigenous ingredients.

Ietse’ene Designs is a craft and jewellery and accessories brand that inspires creative thinking and innovation. This workshop will focus on the upcycling of fashion accessories such as wallets, hats, bags and flower bouquets.

In addition to the Science Film Festival Family Day, Play Africa and the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) are running film screenings, experiments and discussions in different communities in and around Johannesburg and Gauteng.

The Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a living lab for cross-cultural scientific exchange and for this festival, they have been running exciting activities in Durban. The festival took place at various art centres, museums and tertiary institutions throughout Durban from October 14 to 18. The first Science Film Festival in Durban aims to raise awareness on global warming. 

The Science Film Festival is an outstanding festival with great potential to link science, film and educational approaches for all age groups. And this year's theme is exemplary of that. The focus being Net zero initiatives and the Circular economy, and how these can tackle climate challenges. But the fun Family Day at the Goethe-Institut on November 16, 2024, is where families can freely explore these concepts.