‘Love Me’ Wins Big at Sundance’s Science-In-Film Prize Ceremony
The Sundance Institute, in collaboration with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, announced the winners of this year’s Science-In-Film Initiative at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The initiative, dedicated to encouraging films that explore scientific or technological themes, awarded the prestigious Feature Film Prize to "Love Me," directed by Sam and Andy Zuchero.
Feature Film Prize "Love Me," envisioned by the Zuchero brothers, delves into a post-human world where artificial intelligence searches for companionship amidst digital ruins. This feature debut, starring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun, combines innovative storytelling with a poignant exploration of identity and connection in a technology-driven future. The film was lauded for its ambitious portrayal of a post-human Earth, earning the filmmakers a $25,000 prize from the Sloan Foundation.
Grant Recipients Alongside the Feature Film Prize, the Sloan Foundation and Sundance Institute awarded three artist grants to support upcoming projects at the intersection of science and film:
- Emily Everhard received the Sloan Episodic Fellowship and a $17,000 award for "Tektite," a narrative centered around a group of female scientists participating in NASA's underwater mission in 1970.
- Sara Crow and David Rafailedes were granted the Sloan Development Fellowship and a $17,000 award for "Satoshi," a film exploring the origins of Bitcoin through the story of a young, anime-obsessed hacktivist.
- Lizzi Oyebode was awarded the Sloan Commissioning Grant and a $25,000 award for "Inverses," focusing on Emmy Noether’s resistance against the Nazi takeover of a math department.
The awards, totaling $84,000, were presented at a reception in Park City, where recipients had the opportunity to discuss their work and the role of science in film. This year’s selections underscore the initiative’s commitment to fostering a dialogue between science and cinema, highlighting the creative and exploratory potential of this intersection.
The Sundance Science-In-Film Initiative, through its Feature Film Prize and artist grants, continues to champion films that inspire curiosity and bring scientific themes to the forefront of storytelling. This year’s awardees join a prestigious list of past recipients, contributing to a growing legacy of films that challenge, entertain, and inform audiences about the wonders and complexities of science.
