Download Festival Program PDF - Northstar Science Film Festival

NORTHSTAR
SCIENCE
FILM
FESTIVAL
WATCH MOVIES.
TALK SCIENCE.
(AND MAYBE DRINK
SOME BEER.)
Northstar Science Film Festival
SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2016
LOWERTOWN SAINT PAUL, MN
NORTHSTARSCIENCE.ORG
A FILM FESTIVAL FOR PEOPLE
WHO LIKE TO ASK NOT ONLY
“WHAT IF?” BUT “HOW COME?”
For those who ask uncomfortable questions, geek out over the
details, quote their favorite movies at length and aren’t afraid to
look like the nerdiest person in the room: finally, a film festival
for you. The Northstar Science Film Festival brings together
smart movies with smart people to discuss, debate and celebrate
the science behind our favorite movies. You don’t have to be a
supergenius and you don’t need to break out your best Spock
cosplay outfit — just join us for a weekend of science fun.
INAUGURAL
YEAR 2016
OUR MISSION
Northstar Science Film Festival seeks to inspire passion for science by showcasing great
science films, fostering connections between scientists and filmmakers, and providing
opportunities for filmmakers who explore the ideas of science.
Northstar is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation that has been granted tax-exemption as
a charitable organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
MORE THAN JUST MOVIES
The Northstar Science Film Festival also includes short films, TV classics and other great
programming — but the main attraction is the great discussion afterwards. Join us for great
conversations with Dr. David Tilman, Paula S. Apsell, William Gurstelle, Ann Merchant,
Joseph Scrimshaw, Dr. Jim Kakalios and more. Bring your friends and lots of questions!
FEATURED SCREENINGS
SPILLOVER – ZIKA,
EBOLA & BEYOND
THURSDAY
Follow scientists into the
world’s hot zones as they
seek to track and contain the
world’s deadliest viruses.
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
THURSDAY
Thirtysomething loser
Shaun is coasting along in
life, until a zombie outbreak
forces him and his friends to
confront mortality in a very
literal way. With cricket bats
and lots of beer.
MASS EXTINCTION: LIFE
AT THE BRINK
THURSDAY
Join scientists from around
the globe as they search for
answers to two of history’s
most dramatic mass extinctions, the “K/T Extinction”
and the “Great Dying.”
ANIMATED SHORTS:
BRIGHT SPOTS / STICKY
THURSDAY
Filmmaker Jilli Rose presents two animated stories
about the importance of
islands in preserving unique
species, in sometimes
unexpected ways.
NZARA ’76
THURSDAY
Two doctors battle an outbreak on the border between
Sudan and Zaire, balancing
local beliefs with the need to
contain the disease’s spread.
MISCONCEPTION
THURSDAY
For almost 50 years, the
world’s population has
grown at an alarming rate,
raising fears about strains
on the Earth’s resources. But
how true are these claims?
TPT CLASSICS
SATURDAY
Join us for a screening of
several TPT classic science
programs, including the
award-winning Newton’s
Apple, Make TV, DragonflyTV and SciGirls.
FOR THE LOVE OF SPOCK
THURSDAY
Filmmaker Adam Nimoy
examines the enduring
appeal of his father, Leonard
Nimoy, and his portrayal of
Spock in Star Trek.
SPACE JUNK 3D
FRIDAY
See how satellites and other
debris have reached the
tipping point in Earth’s orbit.
NOVA: HUNTING THE
EDGE OF SPACE
FRIDAY
See how the telescope has
fundamentally changed our
understanding of our place in
the universe.
GAME OVER, MAN:
ALIENS VOICEOVER
COMEDY
FRIDAY
They mostly come out at
night – mostly. See James
Cameron’s Aliens with live
voiceover comedy.
GALAXY QUEST
FRIDAY
The stars of a 1970s sci-fi
show—now scraping a
living through re-runs and
sci-fi conventions—are
beamed aboard an alien
spacecraft. Believing the
cast’s heroic on-screen
dramas are historical documents of real-life adventures,
the band of aliens turn to the
ailing celebrities for help in
their quest to overcome the
oppressive regime in their
solar system.
CAPTAIN AMERICA:
CIVIL WAR
SATURDAY
Political pressure mounts
to install a system of accountability when the actions
of the Avengers lead to
collateral damage. The new
status quo deeply divides
members of the team, pitting
Captain America and Iron
Man against each other as
the rest of the team must
choose sides.
THURSDAY
ON THE EDGE OF SURVIVAL:
ZOMBIES, EPIDEMICS & EXTINCTION
SEPTEMBER 15
Killer pathogens, shambling undead, your neighbors’ offspring –
something is always out to get us. But it may not be what you think.
Take a look at the real science behind zombies, outbreaks, sustainability and what it takes to survive in a world of violent change.
TWIN CITIES PBS
STREET SPACE
STUDIO A
BOARDROOM
WELCOME
WELCOME
WELCOME
Meet festival co-founders and learn
about the day’s events
Meet festival co-founders and learn
about the day’s events
Meet festival co-founders and learn
about the day’s events
5:00 PM - 5:20 PM
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
DISCUSSION
SPILLOVER
6:40 PM - 7:10 PM
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
NZARA ’76
DISCUSSION
PREMIERE SCREENING
5:30 PM - 7:10 PM
Discussion with David Elisco
and Dr. Laura Helft
MISCONCEPTION
PREMIERE SCREENING
7:20 PM - 8:50 PM
What Zombie Films Can Teach
Us About Outbreaks and
Pandemic Disease
7:50 PM - 8:50 PM
Discussion with filmmaker
David Elisco and researcher
Dr. Laura Helft
NZARA ‘76
6:00 PM - 6:20 PM
Discussion with director Jon
Noble and infectious disease
expert Dr. Alison Galdys, MD
ANIMATED SCIENCE
STORIES: BRIGHT SPOTS
/ STICKY
6:40 PM - 7:10 PM
ISLAND ECOLOGY &
SPECIES LOSS
7:10 PM - 7:40 PM
DISCUSSION
MASS EXTINCTION
9:00 PM - 9:30 PM
5:30 PM - 6:20 PM
DISCUSSION
Discussion with filmmakers and
Regents Professor, McKnight
Presidential Chair in Ecology, and
National Academy member Dr.
David Tilman, and moderated by
UMN Dean Valery Forbes
FEAR THE SICK AND
WALKING DEAD
7:20 PM - 7:40 PM
MASS EXTINCTION:
LIFE AT THE BRINK
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE
FACE OF POPULATION
GROWTH
6:40 PM - 7:10 PM
5:00 PM - 5:20 PM
DISCUSSION
SPILLOVER —
ZIKA, EBOLA & BEYOND
5:00 PM - 5:20 PM
THE WAR ON SCIENCE
WITH SHAWN OTTO
7:50 PM - 8:50 PM
Who’s Waging It, Why It Matters,
What We Can Do About It
THE ART OF LIVING
DANGEROUSLY
9:30 PM - 10:00 PM
From Absinthe to Flamethrowers
with William Gurstelle
BEDLAM THEATRE
THE NORTHSTAR BAR
5:00 PM - 11:55 PM
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
10:00 PM - 11:55 PM
You know, it’s
funny, I really
don’t care for
brains.
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 16
TWIN CITIES PBS
ON THE EDGE OF SPACE:
SPACE TRAVEL, ALIENS, ROBOTS & US
Ever since humans first looked to the skies, we’ve asked, “How
can we make movies about this?” Your prime directive: join us for
an eye-opening exploration of space and our place in it, including
beloved Vulcans, dead satellites, distant galaxies and more.
STREET SPACE
STUDIO A
BEDLAM THEATRE
WELCOME
GALAXY QUEST
5:50 PM - 7:30 PM
THE NORTHSTAR BAR
5:00 PM - 6:45 PM
4:30 PM - 4:40 PM
SPACE JUNK 3D
4:50 PM - 5:30 PM
DISCUSSION
SPACE JUNK
5:30 PM - 5:50 PM
Discussion with filmmakers
Melissa Butts and Kim Rowe,
and astrophysicist Evan Skillman
FOR THE LOVE OF SPOCK
PREMIERE SCREENING
DISCUSSION
Meet festival co-founders and learn
about the day’s events
THE NEXT WAVE OF SPACE
EXPLORATION
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Robots vs. Humans, the prime
directive, and interstellar
conquest
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
National Academy of Sciences’
Ann Merchant leads discussion
with Clifford Johnson, physicist
and Hollywood consultant (Agent
Carter), and Nissar Modi (Z for
Zachariah)
Live comedy riffs on James
Cameron’s Aliens
JOSEPH SCRIMSHAW’S
ATTACK OF THE COMEDY
Learn how the telescope has
fundamentally changed our
understanding of our place in
the universe
Join comedian/writer Joseph
Scrimshaw (RiffTrax, Obsessed
podcast, TableTop) for a “geek
flavored” stand-up comedy show
about living in the future
8:50 PM - 10:00 PM
THE RATIONALIST IN
POP CULTURE
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM
HOLLYWOOD AND SCIENCE
STORYTELLING
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
NOVA: HUNTING THE
EDGE OF SPACE
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Examine the juxtaposition
of highly rational and more
emotional characters across a
range of characters and stories,
including “evil twin” matchups
like Spock vs. Evil Spock and
Data vs. Lore
GAME OVER, MAN:
ALIENS VOICEOVER
COMEDY
You nearly wipe out
humanity ONE TIME
and suddenly nobody
trusts the robots.
Sheesh.
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
SATURDAY
ON THE EDGE OF HUMANITY:
SUPERHEROES, POWERS & THE FUTURE
SEPTEMBER 17
Shut up, crime! Put me down, evil robot! Stop stealing my gadgets,
kid! We’re getting the superteam back together for a look at superpeople, amazing powers and the exciting-yet-terrifying possibilities
to come. Don’t miss the awards ceremony and closing celebration!
TWIN CITIES PBS
STREET SPACE
Join the women scientists behind
TPT’s SciGirls program for an
exciting morning of hands-on
science activities for children
NOVA: MEMORY HACKERS
1:10 PM - 2:10 PM
The Science of Memory
NORTHSTAR AWARDS
JAMES BURKE
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM
TPT CLASSICS: NEWTON’S
APPLE, MAKE TV,
DRAGONFLYTV, SCIGIRLS
Enjoy science classics from
TPT’s vault
PHYSICS FORCE
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Professors and high school teachers
put on a physics circus of dynamic
and entertaining demonstrations
CAPTAIN AMERICA:
CIVIL WAR
NOVA: RISE OF THE ROBOTS
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Following Paula Apsell
DISCUSSION
THE FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
5:00 PM - 5:20 PM
Should we Fear a Robot
Uprising?
NOVA:
MEMORY HACKERS
Screening of Captain America:
Civil War
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
Senior Executive Producer of
NOVA keynote presentation
FILMMAKER WORKSHOP
2:00 PM - 2:40 PM
10:00 AM - 12:50 PM
2:20 PM - 5:00 PM
NOVA: WITH PAULA APSELL
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
WOMEN IN TECH AND
SCIENCE
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
DISCUSSION
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM &
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
BOARDROOM
DISCUSSION
SCIGIRLS!
STUDIO A
Making the Work Accessible
and Communicating with our
Next Generation of Girls
Art and Craft of Science
Communication
OBSESSED PODCAST:
TIME TRAVEL
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Joseph Scrimshaw, Dr. Jim
Kakalios, comedian/writer Sam
Landman, and MST3K alum Mary
Jo Pehl discuss time travel
KAPOW! THE SCIENCE
OF SUPERHEROES
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Professors Jim Kakalios and
Marla Spivak discuss the science
of your superheroes
WHAT’S YOUR
SUPERPOWER?
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Discuss your favorite superpower
with Dr. Jim Kakalios and comedian
Joseph Scrimshaw
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
The Science of Memory
DISCUSSION
THE PROMISE AND
PERILS OF MANIPULATING
MEMORY:
TIN WHISKERS
THE NORTHSTAR BAR
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Science and Pop Culture
6:40 PM - 7:20 PM
CLOSING CELEBRATION
7:40 PM - 8:40 PM
THE SCIENCE OF BEER
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Science of Beer with Tin Whiskers President Jeff Moriarty and
Professor James Cotner
Are the
goggles too
much? If only
fashion were
my superpower.
THANK YOU TO
OUR SUPPORTING
ORGANIZATIONS.
The Northstar Science Film Festival wouldn’t be possible without the help
of these out-of-this-world contributors and supporters.
National Academy of Sciences
The Science & Entertainment Exchange
Union of Concerned Scientists
Twin Cities PBS
Nobel Conference
Gustavus Adolphus College
College of Biological Sciences, UMN
ScienceDebate
Zucker Productions
Melrae Pictures
The Works
Fredrikson & Byron
Kevin B. Dragseth Media Productions
Tad Ware & Company
Florafauna
The Film Society of Minneapolis/Saint Paul
Tangled Bank Studios
WANT TO MAKE A
CONTRIBUTION?
LEADERSHIP
Board Members
and Officers
Ryan Johnson, Chairman, Co-Founder
Shawn Otto, Co-Founder
Tad Ware, Co-Founder
Staff
Kevin Dragseth, Dir. of Communications
Alex Eilts, Festival Coordinator
MONETARY
OR VOLUNTEER?
We’re already looking into the future — specifically, the next
installment of the Northstar Science Film Festival. And you can help
make it a reality by becoming a sponsor or volunteer. Contact us at
[email protected] to find out how you can join the crew!
Save the date! Northstar 2017: September 14-17, 2017
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TWIN CITIES PBS
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125 E 9TH ST.
ST. PAUL, MN 55101
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NORTHSTAR SCIENCE
FILM FESTIVAL 2016
NORTHSTARSCIENCE.ORG
Northstar Science Film Festival
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