The 1st Bio:Fiction Science, Art & Filmfestival aims at attracting public awareness to synthetic biology and its ramifications for our daily life in the future.

Synthetic biology is the design and construction of new biological systems not found in nature. Synthetic biology aims at creating new forms of life for practical purposes. By applying engineering principles to biology scientists will be able to design life forms much different from breeding or traditional genetic engineering.

We want to encourage filmmakers to share their cinematic visions of a present or future society shaped by synthetic biology. What is your view on a world living with synthetic life forms? Your approach is up to you - the filmmaker, scientists or artist - the entries can be on science, fiction, or science fiction. We welcome regular short film, animation or documentary film. The main criteria is that synthetic biology has to be reflected somehow in the work, but how you do it is up to you.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

Bio:Fiction Award – Short Fiction

Bio:Fiction Award – Documentary Film

Bio:Fiction Award - Animation

Online-Audience Award

Special Award of the Jury

(the prize money in each category will be announced soon)

On http://www.bio-fiction.com you will find more useful and inspiring information on synthetic biology, the entry form and the regulations of the filmfestival.

The nominated films will be presented in public at the festival event in Vienna, Austria, in May 2011. Finally, a Bio:Fiction Award ceremony will build the highlight of the festival.

The deadline for film entries is  the 15th of July 2010

There is no entry fee for submitting films.

http://www.bio-fiction.com

Best wishes,

the Bio:Fiction team

Markus Schmidt

Albert Beckmann

Camillo Meinhart

Within the word “purgatory”, it is easy to envision condemned souls, torment and darkness. However, purgatory may also reflect the cyclic state in which we often rediscover or recreate ourselves anew from within our personal inflictions. Sometimes it is the necessary stage to exorcise ourselves from the haunting ghosts of the past. Perhaps it is the serene place of self reflection and realization. From within this, the producers of the DAMNED exhibition of fine dark art present a new exhibition of cinema and theatre called Purgatory. Held near halfway to DAMNED and Devil’s Night on May 20-22 2010 in Detroit, Purgatory will present approximately 30 short films of deeply introspective, beautifully disturbing and darkly enlightening subject matters from filmmakers worldwide. This is not an industry-focused horror film festival, but a tributary showcase of the often redemptive films from the filmmaker’s personal damnations complimented with live experimental performance art on stage during intermissions. For further information: http://thatdamnedshow.com/purgatory FILMMAKERS!  We are still accepting submissions until April 25th! Click here for further info and to submit. Also, fan us on the Purgatory Facebook Fan Page!