Science Gallery Network
Bringing science, art, technology and design together, Science Gallery delivers unique, transdisciplinary exhibitions, events and educational programmes that engage millions of inquiring minds every year in connective, participative, and surprising ways.
The Science Gallery Network is an international collaboration of leading universities dedicated to public engagement through interdisciplinary art-science initiatives. As a Network, we seek to change the world through youth-led perspectives, igniting conversations and collaborations, to support young people to find connection, hope and agency through curiosity and creativity. We will achieve this as a global platform with a critical mass of public venues and digital spaces engaging millions of people.
Open Calls
Each open call runs for 3 - 8 weeks. Ready your submission at least a few days before the deadline to ensure you have no technical difficulties and can have any queries answered in advance. The submission form closes automatically on the last day, and late submissions will not be accepted.
Most Open Calls are run by individual locations in the Network (Atlanta, Bengaluru, Berlin, Dublin, London, Melbourne and Monterrey). Be sure to reach out directly to the correct location that has launched the call for any queries about their process. If the call is run by multiple locations simultaneously, a specific contact will be provided on the call page. Contact information for questions can always be found on an individual Open Call page. Review process dates are clearly published, and results are communicated shortly thereafter.
Technical difficulties with the application forms should be addressed to Submittable directly.
About
Science Gallery Bengaluru in collaboration with Bangalore International Centre is thrilled to announce the Sci560 Film Festival, which will take place early next year. We invite filmmakers to submit completed works in various languages, formats, and genres, centred around the theme of our ongoing exhibition season, Sci560.
As a city with many faces—garden city, military city, industrial hub, IT capital, and more—Bengaluru has evolved into a dynamic microcosm of India. Known today for its cutting-edge industries and start-up culture, the city’s journey spans decades of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and cultural transformation. The Sci560 Film Festival seeks to explore not only Bengaluru's scientific heritage but also its urban narratives: stories of the people, places, and experiences that have contributed to the city’s unique identity.
We are looking for films that capture the essence of Bengaluru’s past and present. From its research-driven institutions and revolutionary developments in science and technology to its everyday urban life—be it neighbourhood stories, personal narratives, or explorations of the city’s evolving culture—this festival celebrates Bengaluru in all its complexity.
The festival welcomes submissions from independent filmmakers, amateurs, and professionals alike. Whether through documentary, fiction, experimental film, or animation, we encourage filmmakers to push the boundaries of storytelling, offering fresh perspectives on how Bengaluru has become a symbol of creativity, innovation, and change.
In addition to film screenings, the Sci560 Film Festival will feature panel discussions, workshops, and public engagement programmes that invite audiences to reflect on the intersection of science, culture, and everyday life in Bengaluru. Sci560 is supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.
The last date to apply is 20 November 2024. The final schedule of films will be released in January 2025.
Timeline
- Call goes live: 24 Oct 2024
- Call closes: 20 November 2024
- Notification to selected filmmakers: 4 December 2024
- Schedule goes live: 11 January 2025
- Sci560 Film Festival: 01-02 February 2025
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility: We are looking for completed films that explore our relationship with Sci560. We are open to worldwide submissions from broadcasters, producers, filmmakers, film students, researchers, scientific organisations, NGOs, public organisations, and online channels. To submit an entry, please follow the submission guidelines and use the online application form during the period when the festival is open to submissions.
Formats: We accept submissions across formats: Shorts, Documentaries, Features, Animations or Experimental films.
Submission formats and preview copies: Please upload a copy of your film in the online application form. If you are facing any issues with the form, you can also submit previews of full films online either via Vimeo or any other file transfer service such as Dropbox or WeTransfer to programmes@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com. You can also mail us physical copies of your film to our address. Copies of your submission will be stored in the SGB archives. Mailing costs for the submissions have to be borne by the submitter.
Language: We accept films across all languages, but would prefer films with subtitles.
Screening costs: The festival is a free event and there are no costs levied on submissions. Selected filmmakers will be offered a nominal fee and you are free to apply for additional funding for travel, and SGB is happy to support the application for additional funding.
Selection and notification: Shortlisted filmmakers will hear from us in December 2024. We are not able to provide feedback on specific submissions at any stage of the selection process.
Directors/producers/distributors will be contacted immediately on selection of their films and any additional requests for material or publicity may be made at the time. The schedule for the films will be made available in January 2025. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, SGB reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason.
Permissions: The submitter is responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for the film and its content, including music, images, and trademarks.
Checklist for submissions:
- Copy of completed film with English subtitles
- Completed application form
- Synopsis of film
- CV of Director
- Biographical note of cast and/or crew where appropriate
- 4-5 high quality still images
Contact information: Please get in touch with programmes@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com in case of any queries.
Venue: Bangalore International Centre
Are you a conversationalist interested in the intersection of science, art, and research? Are you excited by the opportunity to interact with historians, scientists and designers in the city of Bengaluru? Do you want to create exciting experiences for visitors at Science Gallery Bengaluru?
Join our mediator team for Sci560!
Apply by: Friday, 15 November 2024
Programme Dates: 14 December 2024 – 31 July 2024
This is a paid opportunity. More details will be shared with the shortlisted participants.
Who is a mediator?
Mediators are the public face of Science Gallery Bengaluru exhibitions, and converse with visitors about the various concepts explored in our themed exhibition-seasons. They are often the first and only point of contact for visitors, and drive the experience of the exhibition by sharing insights, provoking questions and triggering debates. They also get behind the scene access to the various forces that shape an exhibition-season at Science Gallery Bengaluru!
Mediators do not teach or explain content but encourage curious engagement with it. Mediators also have a more general role in ensuring a warm, safe welcome and providing an outstanding experience for all our visitors.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Part-time Mediator Programme, you should be:
- Between 18 – 30 years of age at the time of applying.
- Based in Bengaluru and able to come to Science Gallery Bengaluru in Sanjaynagar.
- From any discipline or background. You could be studying, working, or pursuing anything else.
- Familiar with or have an interest in exploring the history of Bengaluru, and the research and science done in the city Bengaluru.
- Available to train and mediate on all weekends from December 2024 and February 2025.
- Ability to speak Kannada is highly desirable.
As a mediator, you will:
- Train with the SGB team and mediators who are involved in running the Sci560 exhibition-season.
- Work with the SGB team to curate and manage audience experience on the exhibition floor.
- Support the SGB team in running the programmes at the gallery.
Programme Structure
This programme is divided into two parts:
TRAINING
- Introduction to Science Gallery Bengaluru and the exhibition-season Sci560.
- 101 sessions that will cover fundamental concepts around the exhibition theme.
- Training sessions with existing and former SGB mediators.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Attend all training sessions and actively participate in mediator practice sessions.
- Read the Sci560 Mediator Handbook to further your understanding of the exhibits.
- Mediate for the exhibition-season Sci560 on weekends.
- Provide critical reflections on the exhibition and programmes—both from your own experience and from visitor feedback.
About the Exhibition
Bengaluru is India’s most recognized military-industrial-academic complex today. Sci560 is one way to question why that may be so.
Bengaluru is a rather distinct microcosm of India. Over time, we have known Bengaluru as India’s garden city, military city, industrial city, and today—as an IT city, hi-tech city, start-up city and at times, India’s own Silicon Valley. A dynamic twentieth century has shaped Bengaluru’s current status as the city of new science and engineering.
The confidence in Indian research-led industry today comes from accomplishments in information technology, biotechnology, and the space programme: little surprise then, that Bengaluru may well be the symbol of a New India. The city, however, has surprises to offer from a rich past in science and engineering, some of which has directly contributed to the three success stories that unfolded during the long twentieth century.
Sci560 explores some of the ideas, individuals, and institutions that make science in this city!
Timeline
Friday, 28 October: Open Call begins
Friday, 15 November: Open Call closes
Sunday, 23 November: Announcement of shortlisted candidates
06 – 08 December 2024: Interviews for shortlisted candidates
Wednesday, 11 December : Final list announced
Saturday, 14 December: Mediator Programme begins
Contact Us
If you have any questions, or if any part of this application procedure is inaccessible to you, please write to us at mediators@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com, and we will assist you accordingly.