The Islands and the Whales (360G-Wellcome-208730_Z_17_Z)

The project is to organise a nationwide series of rural and community screenings of The Islands and the Whales, which received funding from Wellcome. The screenings will be in cinemas, community venues and workplaces across the UK with a panel discussion about the issues raised in the film with relevant scientific experts. The project’s scientific adviser and leading expert Professor Philippe Grandjean will be on the panel at the film’s premiere and will advise on other panel members. The post-screening discussions will be live-streamed online and to the other screenings, recorded to increase the reach of public engagement and conversation. The programme will be accompanied by the launch of a supporting website. The aim of the project is to engage audiences in understanding how biomedical knowledge can be used in improving public health, even when there is strong cultural resistance to the policies proposed. The target audiences are health professionals, policy makers and the general public. We have already secured commitments to screen the film and support from outreach partners to promote screenings in their networks. The team which is delivering this project have considerable experience in producing projects of this sort, and three other organisations are providing support.