Vancouver, BC - Local filmmakers interested in portraying science and technology, will soon have a new avenue to help them accurately portray science in their films.

Gene Screen BC (www.genescreenbc.com) is a film competition with the theme of Genomics and Health that offers a special twist: filmmakers will have access to scientists with a passion for film who will help them vet their scenes for scientific accuracy.

The competition will begin with a kick-off event to allow filmmakers and scientists to mix and mingle – and most importantly, match scientific expertise with film interests.

The launch event will be held on Monday March 22nd from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver, BC.

But the interaction isn’t limited to those who attend the launch. An online forum will be set up for the remainder of the competition, which runs through the summer.

“We wanted to create a virtual meeting space for science and film,” says Genome BC Education Advisor, Dr. Catherine Anderson. “If a filmmaker wants to do a project on Huntington’s disease, for example, they will be able to locate an expert online to help with the portrayal in their film. We are hopeful the relationships formed during the competition will continue long after Gene Screen concludes.”

The event will culminate with a special screening evening on September 8, 2010, where prizes will be awarded.

With prizes of $3500, $2000 and $1000 for first, second and third place respectively, hosts Genome BC and the BC Clinical Genomics Network hope to see the competition generate a number of new locally-made short films, which promote local artists and can be used to help educate people about the relevance of genomics and human health.

“This is a unique opportunity for us to partner with another organization on a common goal,” says Dr. Jan Friedman, Co-Director of the BC Clinical Genomics Network. “We’ll be selecting winning films that will accurately portray current and near-future clinical science.”

More information about the competition, including registration information is available at www.genescreenbc.com.

Gene Screen is organized and supported by Genome BC and the BC Clinical Genomics Network, with additional sponsorship coming from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the Child and Family Research Institute.

About the BC Clinical Genomics Network:
The British Columbia Clinical Genomics Network (BCCGN) is a technology methodology platform supported by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. It works with experts from the BC Cancer Agency, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, the University of Northern BC and with technology platforms located at the Child & Family Research Institute, BC Cancer Agency Genome Sciences Centre, VGH Prostate Centre, and the BC Cancer Research Centre. It aims to educate BC clinicians about the impact of genomics and to help them access BC’s state-of-the art genomics technology platforms so as to advance scientific knowledge and its application to improved health outcomes in the Province of BC. For more information visit www.bccgn.ca

About Genome British Columbia
Founded in 2000, Genome BC works collaboratively with government, universities and industry as the catalyst for a genomics-driven life sciences cluster with significant social and economic benefits for the Province and Canada. The organization's research portfolio, over $410 million since inception, includes 74 projects and technology platforms focused on areas of strategic importance to British Columbia such as human health, forestry, fisheries, bioenergy, mining, agriculture, and the environment. Genome BC programs are funded by Genome Canada, the Provincial Government of British Columbia, Western Economic Diversification Canada and other public and private partners. For more information visit www.genomebc.ca

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Media Contact

Rachael Froese Zamperini
Genome BC, Communications Consultant
604.612.6345 or rzamperini@genomebc.ca

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