Doctors, patients, laboratories, needles, cells… and even virus carriers are some of the elements found in the films that were exhibited in the BiomediCINE 2011.

This first biomedical film exhibition organized by Biopol’H took place last Thursday, November 3rd in the Filmax Granvia cinema and it did not only have the showing of many videos focused on biomedicine but also a round table moderated by Jaume Vilalta, Director of the scientific TV3 program “QuèQuiCom” (What who how). In this round table the communicator Joan Úbeda, producer and director, and Ferran Moreno, doctor specialized in cancer radiotherapy, discussed the different points of view of the popularization of science through cinema and television, which means through audiovisual production. Furthermore, the audience could take part by making all the questions or contributions that could have emerged after seeing the pieces.

Like water and oil. This is the definition made by the speakers of the BiomediCINE with regard to the relationship between scientists and popularizers. Coming from very different sectors and working at an almost opposite pace, communicators and scientists are confronted when it is time for the titanic task of creating an audiovisual piece of research that tells something. The logic thought of those producing information and those who want to popularize it is absolutely poles apart, which becomes evident when a researcher works together with a journalist to try to understand the mysteries of science.

Therefore, the discussion was how to find an agreement between these two disciplines, science and communication. Ferran Moreno pointed out that the problematic issue lies in the fact that “to a scientist it is difficult to find what is to be taught because a scientist is not a communicator,” whereas Jaume Vilalta explained that in audiovisual production “everything that is important should be told in a span of 4 to 5 minutes, since this is people’s time of attention.” And this time is very limited when you want to transmit abstract concepts such as in the scientific field. As a conclusion, Joan Úbeda suggested that “the way to come up with an agreement is to do more production and afterwards, see what happens with it.” In other words, once production is done, observe the result and think of how to improve it.

Other aspects debated from the contributions of the participants were whether science is interested in communication and popularization, or the point that communication should be useful to close the virtuous circle made up with scientists, communicators and citizens.

The draw of three movie tickets among all the participants was the closing ceremony of the event, encouraging everyone to take part in the Biomedical Film Contest that will be held next year by presenting their work. The contest guidelines will be issued in the coming months.