Taking place during the Locarno Film Festival, the workshop seeks to challenge, inspire and train scientists to use narrative techniques and strategies employed in film to produce persuasive presentations and publications. Borrowing communication strategies and techniques from filmmakers and applying them in science communication will help scientists better communicate their research — and scientists are wise enough to do so!

Program

Theory: Scientists learn storytelling and storyboarding from the masters of narrative — filmmakers. Participants discover how to borrow communication strategies from filmmakers and apply them to their own research communication, engaging audiences and increasing uptake by incorporating narrative attributes into their teaching, outreach, and publications.

Practice: Scientists re-write their biographies, abstracts, and presentations using narrative techniques borrowed from film. They attend the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, meeting professional filmmakers and discussing storytelling techniques they can apply to their research communication. Participants may also prepare short films based on their interviews with the filmmakers.

Dates & Location

10–13 August 2026, Locarno Film Festival (Locarno)

Organization and Credits

The course is organized by the Graduate Center of the University of Basel, the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. The course will also be attended by participants from Life Science Zurich (University of Zurich and ETH Zurich). For the course, 1 ECTS can be credited. Please note that participants are selected based on the following evaluation criteria:

• Relevance of storyboarding, storytelling, and film to the applicant’s research
• Demonstrated passion for storyboarding, storytelling, and film
• Clarity and coherence of explanation
• Creativity

Registration fee

CHF 100, due only after admission. Covers course material and equipment, accommodation (shared rooms), and entrance to all films at the Locarno Festival. Participants cover their own travel and food costs (breakfast is provided for free by the hostel).

Application

PhD candidates and postdocs of the University of Basel are encouraged to apply. To do so, please send a brief (no more than three sentences!) explanation of your motivation for taking part in the course to grace@clutterunibas.ch. 

• Application deadline is April 30, 2026
• Please see further details in the Flyer