Pune to host first Science Film Festival

The National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and Vishwa Scientific will organise the city’s first Science Film festival from January 20 to January 22 at the NFAI auditorium, to spread awareness about science among the masses.

Speaking about the first-ever such festival, co-ordinator of the festival, Mayuresh Prabhune said, “The film medium is the most attractive and effective to reach out to the masses. The graphics and visuals are easier to connect and help understand the
subject better.”

Nearly 20 films made by research centres and amateurs from India and abroad on scientific subjects will be screened during the festival.

Prabhune said that though the films this year have been contributed by research centres and amateurs only, the festival will inspire more contributions from next year.

Apart from screening of films, the festival will also include lectures from eminent personalities working in this field. “We have arranged lectures by Medha Khole, director of India Meteorological Department; Arvind Natu, Hemant Ghate and other eminent personalities,” Prabhune said.

The week-long event will also include sky-watching shows in Kothrud, Hadapsar, Aundh, Sadashiv Peth and Sinhagad Road, from January 17 to 21. On January 23, field visits to institutes like IMD and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research will be conducted.

“We have approached city schools and colleges and are expecting around 20,000 people to participate,” he said. The event is open to all, and passes can be availed from

Vishwa Scientific office on Bhandarkar Road or on www.sciencevishwa.com.