Wednesday, the third edition of science film festival InScience will start. Vox previews the festival, with vijf highlights in a very well-packed programme.

#1 The Farthest

This documentary is fascinating from beginning to end, and beautifully portrays the most prestigious and successful space projects ever. Crazy to think that the two Voyager satellites – launched into space forty years ago with video and audio clips from the Earth – will continue to orbit forever, no matter what happens to the Earth.

Thursday 9 November, 9.00 p.m. | with film-maker and planetary scientist Maarten Roos
Saturday 11 November, 1.30 p.m. | with director Emer Reynolds
Sunday 12 November, 4.00 p.m. | with follow-up debate

# 2 Amateurs in Space

The Farthest and Amateurs in Space have a similar subject, but that’s where all comparison ends. When the InScience programme was formed, Peter Madsen was not yet the controversial figure he is today. Nevertheless, Amateurs in Space remains a beautiful portrait of two Danish friends who manage, against all expectations, to build a working space rocket. Using home and garden and kitchen appliances! A real boy’s story. Apart from the mad project, the striking personalities of the two friends also make this documentary an enjoyable viewing experience.

Saturday 11 November, 9.00 p.m. | with follow-up debate

#3 Dusk Chorus – Based on Fragments of Extinction

Stunning, almost motionless and absolutely one of the favourites from the festival. We follow activist, researcher and eco-acoustic composer David Monacchi. His mission to save the sound landscape of the Amazon region in Ecuador shows how fragile the balance of an eco-system is. Let’s be clear on one point: noise pollution is a serious problem. Dusk Chorus is first of all a fantastic listening experience thanks to Monacchi’s special recording techniques. Combined with the stunning nature images on the screen, you feel as if you’re standing in the middle of the jungle.

Thursday 9 November, 9.45 p.m. | with follow-up debate
Friday 10 November, 2.15 p.m. | with director and creator Alessandro d’Emilia
Sunday 12 November, 6.00 p.m. | with follow-up debate

# 4 Cyborgs among Us

Many Hollywood films already play with the concept of robotics in the human body. This is why the topic of Cyborgs among Us appealed to me from the start. It’s entertaining to watch the crazy and brilliant things people come up with. Take, for instance, colour-blind Neil Harbisson, who can hear colours thanks to an antenna on his head. This documentary portrays a number of people who have managed to expand their bodies using electronics, often on their own. For me, this documentary raised a lot of questions. Do I want to become a cyborg too? How far should we go down this path? Will we uncover the secret to eternal life?

Friday 10 November, 2.00 p.m. | with Radboud University Philosopher of Science Pieter Lemmens
Saturday 11 November, 9.30 p.m. | with Delft University of Technology Professor of Bioelectronics Wouter Serdijn

# 5 Photon

An ambitious film that tries to capture life, from the Big Bang to the future and everything in between. Photon begins with the birth of the Universe and continues until a time in the future when humans no longer have a physical body. Fantastic animations make this a beautiful film. Photon is probably the film that led to the most heated discussions among the organisers. Lots of enthusiastic reactions. It’s quite long and you have to pay attention to follow the story, but it’s well worth the effort!

Friday 10 November, 6.15 p.m. | with follow-up debate
Saturday 11 November, 3.30 p.m. | with follow-up debate