About the festival

Carbon has been an invisible protagonist on the celluloid screen for a while now. Our lives are saturated with carbon, and the screen reflects its presence everywhere. From a source of livelihood in gritty coal mines to the jackpot in flashy diamond heists, carbon drives action where it appears—in science, in economy and ecology alike. 

We, at Science Gallery Bengaluru, are excited to launch our inaugural film festival. We are looking for completed works across different languages, formats and genres, centred on the theme of our upcoming exhibition-season CARBON. The hybrid CARBON Film Festival will have panel discussions, workshops and other public engagement programmes. We seek submissions that examine and interrogate our relationship with carbon—how it drives conflict, inspires action and governs life around us. We are especially keen on independent films and amateur works that seek to experiment with cinema, science and storytelling. 

The last date to apply is 05 June 2023. The final schedule of films will be released in October 2023. 

Timeline

19 April 2023 : Call opens 

05 June 2023: Call closes 

26 June 2023: Selected filmmakers notified 

01 October 2023: Schedule released 

03 – 05 November 2023: CARBON Film festival 

Submission guidelines

Eligibility: We are looking for completed films that explore our relationship with carbon. 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. 

Last date to apply: 05 June 2023. The final schedule of films will be released in October. The film festival will likely go live in the first week of November. 

Submission formats and preview copies: Please upload a preview copy of your film in online application form. Once your film is selected, you can submit previews of full films online either via Vimeo or any other file transfer service such as Dropbox or WeTransfer. You can also mail us physical copies of your film to our address. Copies of your submission will be stored in SG archives. Mailing costs for the submissions have to be borne by the submitter. 

Language: We accept films across all languages, but would prefer if the films have 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 between June and July 2023. 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. Films that have not been selected will be informed separately. The schedule for the films will be made available in October 2023. 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: 

• Preview 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. Our office address is: Science Gallery Bengaluru, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK - Post, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560065, Karnataka, India

Terms and conditions: 

1. All material must be marked with the title of the film, director’s name, running time and format.
2. The festival has no premiere or exclusivity rule, we also consider work that is already online.
3. SGB does not accept responsibility for damages incurred to submissions during transit. Submitters will be informed of such damage and will have to send in another copy.
4. If a film is accepted, the submitter may be contacted for additional information or publicity material where necessary. Please send in 4–5 high-quality (above 300 dpi) stills of the film or posters and any other material with the initial application.
5. Please indicate if your film is available for our online programme.
6. Films completed on 05 June 2023 are eligible for submission.
7. Selected films must confirm participation in the festival within 5 days of receiving the notification. 
8. SGB will pay a screening fee to selected films, but the travel cost of the filmmakers will be covered on a case-by-case basis. 
9. SGB reserves the rights to use the posters/video clippings/trailers of the selected films for promotion on social media and its partner platforms.
10. Selected films must provide all the required details of their films as per the format prescribed by SGB, including the digital copy of the film. Exact specifications will be communicated for all selected films.
11. By submitting the film to SGB, the applicant hereby confirms that she/he is the rightful owner of the film or has the authority to submit the film to SGB for selection. The applicant also indemnifies SGB from any legal claim or dispute that may arise from the submitted film.