Sci560 Film | Call for Proposals

This call for proposals have closed. In case you have applied, we are currently reviewing the proposals and will get back to you shortly.

We seek proposals for a multilingual film which tells the story of the intricate role played by science and engineering in making Bengaluru the city we know today. We encourage filmmakers to pitch ideas that involve a layered and multidisciplinary interpretive approach. They should be deeply rooted in the city, evoking its sense of place through well-defined visual language. We discourage chronicles, didactic, and purely information-driven documentation. 

Bengaluru, over the years, has been variously recognised as Garden City, Space City, IT City or Pub City. Underlying each of these identities is an affinity for scientific research that continues to define the city and its global presence. Who were the people setting up the city’s many pioneering research institutions? Which fields came to be studied here? What is the context in which significant moments of science happened in the city? Who are the communities—scientific and non-scientific—keeping this culture of scientific enquiry alive? How is science capital distributed across the different sections of its citizens? What relationship have Bangaloreans developed with the human, social and natural sciences? How has the city been characterised by its long engagement with the sciences? 

Proposals will be shortlisted based on: relevance to the subject; creative engagement with the film form and narratives; clear communication of perspective, position and core arguments; considered treatment including the linguistic, cultural and gender diversity of the city; the filmmaker’s past work and their interest in this story; research parameters; and budgetary specifications. 

Key dates

  • Call opens: 13th June

  • Call closes: 8th July (Deadline has been extended!)

  • Shortlist: 14th July

  • Launch: 7th December

Allocation of funds

The shortlisted filmmaker will be provided with a commissioning grant of 12 Lakh INR. The funds will be allocated in three stages: 

  1. Story Development - 25%

  2. Shooting on the field - 25% 

  3. Final Cut - Post production - 50% 

In case of any questions, please write to us at programmes@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com

Vikas Gotla