Storytelling for Researchers at the International Film Festival and Forum for Human Rights (405)

9 and 10 March 2026

Dr Samer Angelone

We seek to challenge, inspire and train researchers 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 research communication will help researchers for better communication of their research, and researchers are wise enough to do so!

Workshop content

I. Theory

• Researchers learn storytelling from the masters of narrative, the filmmakers.
• Researchers learn how to borrow communication strategies and techniques from filmmakers and how to apply them in communicating their research. This will help them to engage audience and increase uptake by incorporating narrative attributes into their teaching, divulgations and publications.

II. Practice

• Researchers re-write their biographies, abstracts and presentations by using narrative attributes used by filmmakers.
• Researchers attend the International Film Festival and Forum on human Rights 2026 (the 24th edition). Which is a great opportunity for them to meet professional filmmakers and discuss with them storytelling technics that they can use in communicating their research
• Eventually, researchers can prepare films about their interviews with the filmmakers

Learning outcomes:

After this course, participants are able to:

• Build persuasive communication of their research, for divulgation and publication
• Prepare a cinematographic stories and scripts about their research
• Review, summarise and interpret films

IHEID

Date: Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th March 2026

Place: IHEID and International Film Festival and Forum for Human Rights

Schedule: On both days from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm : work in classroom ; on both days: from 2 pm to 6 pm work in the field, not mandatory. The tickets will be at the participant's expense. 

The Trainer:

Dr Samer Angelone is a biologist and filmmaker. He teaches 'Filmmaking for Scientists', 'Storytelling & Storyboarding Science', 'Filmmaking Marathon', and 'Video-Journalism for Scientists' at various Swiss universities and research institutes, and film festivals (e.g., Locarno Film Festival). He is the founder and director of the Global Science Film Festival in Switzerland (www.sciencefilm.ch), and works as a jury-member for prestigious film festivals (e.g. Planet in Focus, Cinemambiente Film Festival). Angelone has directed several fiction and documentary films in Spain, Switzerland, and Kenya, mainly focusing on issues relating to science and the environment. He has developed scientific research on population genetics, diseases, forensics, wildlife conservation, social media, and human-elephant conflict. Angelone holds a PhD in population genetics, and master's degrees in film studies and film direction.

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the city of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class).

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