The AfroSci Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization started in 2018 to foster and showcase science-based visual content from African Diasporic filmmakers.

Science communication has become a public concern because scientific understanding affects so many areas of contemporary life including health, the environment, space, natural resource preservation, and wildlife habitat. As citizens of the world, African diasporic filmmakers, scientists and science communicators are not typically included in the dissemination of media related to these critical fields of information.

The mission of the AfroSci film festival is to bring science-based visual content to and from an often overlooked and ignored demographic. The festival will be a place for filmmakers of African descent to share experiences of science storytelling; engaged in creating content mix of inventive documentaries, thought-provoking scientific fiction, data and visualizations from research labs of black scientists (laboratory cinema), and experimental science film. The festival will also actively cultivate an interest in STEM education and scientific cinema from young black content creators.

Rules & Terms

AfroSci seeks all films that address scientific or technological themes and stories, or have a leading character of African descent who is a scientist, engineer, or mathematician.

SUBMISSIONS need to adhere to the underlying requirement of AfroSci, which is that science and/or scientists need to be presented as a documentary or narrative framework - in a compelling yet credible manner.
Entries must be written, directed, produced and principally acted (if applicable) by a person of African descent. More than one entry can be submitted; however, each entry must be accompanied by a separate online submission form, entry fee, filmmaker resume (with a photo) and any stills from your project.

FORMAT
Submissions must be in English or have English subtitles, and there must be a preview AND screening copy available in English or with English subtitles, excepting music videos and films without dialogue.
If your film is accepted, AfroSci prefers to screen from digital files. We may also be able to discuss screening in other formats as allowed by our venue.

DEADLINES, FEES & NOTIFICATION
All filmmakers will receive notification, whether or not their film is chosen to screen. Notifications will be sent out on or before 7/13/20. Please DO NOT contact us to find out whether or not your film has been received. We do not have a large enough staff to respond to such inquiries.

PREVIEWS, ENTRY FORMAT & SUBMISSION
AfroSci accepts submissions for PREVIEW through private links, or on NTSC or PAL DVD (any region).

Feel free to send along any additional press material, cast and crew bios or any other information about your film. We will say, however, that it will most likely NOT influence our selections in any way.

Preview DVDs WILL NOT BE RETURNED. Please DO NOT send a self-addressed stamped envelope. DO NOT send a master tape as a preview copy.
If your film is accepted, we will get a master tape from you, and will mail back masters at our expense.

If sending physical media, please write or print your name, email, phone number, and the name of the film directly onto that media.

SCREENING RIGHTS
Should your work be selected to be part of the AfroSci Film Festival, AfroSci will reserve the right to show your film through the end of that year in case of rescheduling.

If your work is accepted as part of AfroSci Film Festival, we would love for you to be able to attend the screening of your work. AfroSci will select a few filmmakers for travel subsidies to attend the festival to speak about their projects.

Submission Categories include:

-Feature science fiction film (narrative science fiction): (41 minutes +)
- Short science fiction narrative Film (40 minutes or less)
- Science Documentary: (30 minutes +)
- Short science Documentary: (up to 29 minutes)
- Student films (up to 39 minutes); must be written, shot, directed and produced by students who were in college during the time of its production.