Posted November 12, 2024
JBFC Awarded Science on Screen Grant for 2024–25 Programming
The JBFC is one of 41 independent cinemas awarded the grant by the Coolidge Corner Theater and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is proud to announce it has been selected as one of 41 independent cinemas to receive a prestigious Science on Screen® grant from the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This grant will support the JBFC in presenting a series of thought-provoking Science on Screen events that pair expert-led discussions on scientific topics with screenings of both feature and documentary films.
The JBFC received $7,500 to create and host three Science on Screen programs throughout the 2024–25 season. These events will foster greater public understanding of scientific, technological, and medical topics through engaging film selections and in-depth discussions led by experts in the field.
“We are honored to be a returning recipient of this grant, which allows us to bring vital conversations about science and technology to our community through the powerful medium of film,” said JBFC Executive Director, Mary Jo Ziesel. “At the JBFC, we are dedicated to creating innovative film programs that educate, entertain, and inspire. This grant enables us to further expand that mission by linking science with storytelling in a way that resonates with our audiences.”
The Science on Screen initiative distributes grants totaling $250,000 to cinemas, museums, and community groups across the country, with JBFC recognized for the quality of its proposed programming and its deep connection to the local community. The program, which is a partnership between the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, seeks to inspire curiosity and engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through creative pairings of films with expert presentations.
The upcoming JBFC Science on Screen events will feature a range of classic, cult, and contemporary films. The JBFC’s previous Science on Screen program captivated audiences by making science accessible and exciting, and the JBFC is excited to return to the program.
About the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
The New York-based Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, founded in 1934, makes grants in three areas: research in science, technology, and economics; quality and diversity of scientific institutions; and public engagement with science. Sloan's program in Public Understanding of Science and Technology, directed by Doron Weber, supports books, radio, film, television, theater and new media to reach a wide, non-specialized audience and to bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities.
About the Coolidge Corner Theatre
The nonprofit Coolidge Corner Theatre is a premier American independent cinema renowned for its curated feature film programming and innovative signature educational, cultural, and entertainment programs. A beloved movie house, the Coolidge has been pleasing audiences with the best in cinematic entertainment since 1933.
