

In November 2021 the mLAB and the Swiss Science Film Academy presented the 4th Global Science Film Festival at Kino REX in Bern and Filmpodium in Zurich. The films shown were engaging and challenging, addressing current global issues and questions in a variety of scientific disciplines. Discussions with the respective filmmakers, researchers and experts followed the films.
A walk alongside parasites, symbionts and decomposers offering ideas of interconnectedness. With mushrooms and their allies the film invites to imagine a mycocultural (r)evolution.
Followed by a discussion about More-than-Human Perspectives with Marion Neumann (Film Director), Nadia Maaroufi (Plant-Soil Ecologist, University of Bern), Alison Pouliot (Natural Historian and Environmental Photographer)
Moderator: Nimal Bourloud (Social Anthropology Student)
A 10-year-old Roma boy living in Sweden attempts to come to terms with the mysterious resignation syndrome that has put his two sisters in a coma and dreams of building a spaceship.
Followed by a discussion about Migration, Racism and Health with Film Director Dea Gjinovci, Kemal Sadulov (Radio journalist and president of Romano Dialog)
Moderator: Alexander Vorbrugg Geographer (University of Bern)
From the perspective of the filmmaker’s window, the film explores the destruction of a unique train station in Zurich and the construction of the new prison and police center in its place.
Followed by a discussion about Urban History, Prisons and Migration with Film Director Thomas Imbach, Britta Hentschel (History of Architecture University of Liechtenstein), Simone Marti (Lecturer and Member of Migrant Solidarity Network)
Moderator: Susan Thieme Geographer, University of Bern
What does it mean when artificial intelligence increasingly governs our liberties? And what are the consequences for the people the algorithms are biased against?
Followed by a discussion about Artificial Intelligence & Discrimination with Film Director Shalini Kantayya, Agata Ferretti (Big Data Ethics and Governance, ETH Zürich)
Moderator: Fupa Magic (Educator, Multidisciplinary Artist & Facilitator)
The film shows the work of maritime aid organizations. In haunting images, the ambivalent relationship between society and threatened ecosystems is laid bare.
Followed by a discussion about Pollution, Climate Change & the Ocean with Film Director Robin Petré, Charlotte Laufkötter (Marine Biogeochemistry & Plastic Pollution, University of Bern)
Moderator: Tobias Wechsler (Hydorlogist, Institute of Geograph, University of Bern)
Followed by a discussion about Wildlife Conservation with Film Directors Karl Ammann and Laurin Merz, Bruno Mainini (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Switzerland)
Moderator: Ian Ausprey (Conservation Biology, University of Bern)
An overcrowded ship suffers shipwreck on its way from Turkey to Greece. One of the survivors filmed the sinking of the ship with a waterproof camera she wore on her wrist.
Followed by a discussion about (In)Visibility and Migration with Film Director Amel Alzakout and Gerhild Perl (Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Trier)
The Scent of Fear is a journey around the globe, on which we meet people who freeze with fear, people who are looking for it, people who find it, and people who love it.¨
Followed by a discussion about Psychology and Politics of Fear with Film Director Mirjam von Arx, Eveline Frischknecht (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern)
Moderator: Surangika Jayarathne Social and Cultural Geographer, University of Bern
The short films explore topics such as the future of the sheep herding profession, mountain climbing with robots, homosexuality in the animal world.