4:30 – 6:00 pm — Opening Reception

Courtyard, The Garland

6:00 – 8:00 pm — Spotlight Screening: Magma
followed by Q&A

Beverly Garland Theater, The Garland

A screening of Magma by Cyprien Vial which won the Sloan Science on Screen Award at the 2025 San Francisco International Film Festival, followed by a Q&A with USC seismology professor & researcher, John Vidale and Occidental College professor of geology, Margaret Rusmore. Moderated by climate storyteller and writer Carmiel Banasky.
The struggles between scientists, community members, and local politicians spill over like the titular substance that threatens the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe in Cyprien Vial’s dramatic thriller starring Marina Foïs.

8:00 – 8:30 am — Breakfast

Garland Ballroom, The Garland

8:30 – 10:30 am — Sloan Grant Recipient Intros

Garland Ballroom, The Garland

All Sloan grantees in attendance will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and give brief descriptions of their Sloan-supported projects.

10:45 – 11:30 am — PANEL: Reality Augmented: AI, Machine Learning and the Future of Cinematic Expression

Beverly Garland Theater, The Garland

As technology rapidly evolves, filmmakers and artists are discovering groundbreaking ways to blend artificial intelligence and machine learning with traditional storytelling. This revolutionary intersection is reshaping how stories are told, experienced and distributed across media platforms. Join innovative creators and thought leaders as they explore how emerging technologies are expanding creative possibilities, challenging conventional narrative structures and democratizing access to immersive storytelling tools. The discussion will examine both the artistic potential and ethical considerations of these powerful new mediums that are redefining the boundaries between reality and imagination.

•Jessica Brillhart (Vrai Pictures),
•Aranya Sahay (Humans in the Loop)
•Anisia Uzeyman (Neptune Frost)
•Nancy Baker Cahill (4th Wall)
•Nonny de la Peña (Hunger in Los Angeles)
•Moderated by Anisa Hosseinnezhad (Filmmaker, IDA)

11:30 am – 2:00 pm — Industry Connect

Garland Ballroom & Courtyard, The Garland

2:15 – 3:15 pm — Keynote Address: Professor Amy Mainzer

Beverly Garland Theater, The Garland

Amy Mainzer, UCLA planetary science professor and Principal Investigator of NASA's NEO Surveyor mission, will explore the science of asteroids, the nuanced challenges of communicating potential cosmic hazards, and the complex intersection with media coverage. Drawing from her leadership of the successful NEOWISE mission that tracked near-Earth objects for over a decade, Mainzer brings unparalleled expertise in planetary defense and science communication. She was the science advisor for the 2021 film Don’t Look Up.

3:15 – 4:15 pm — PANEL: The Consultants’ Cut: Scientific Accuracy in Storytelling

Garland Ballroom, The Garland

From quantum physics to medical breakthroughs, science continues to revolutionize our world—yet accurately translating complex scientific concepts to compelling entertainment remains a formidable challenge. This panel brings together renowned science consultants and storytellers to explore the delicate balance between scientific accuracy and narrative engagement. Drawing from their experiences across television, film and other media, these experts will discuss the creative process behind translating technical concepts for general audiences, share success stories and pitfalls in science communication and examine how authentic scientific representation can enhance rather than hinder storytelling. The conversation will provide unique insights into the collaborative relationship between scientists and creators that brings credibility to entertainment while inspiring audiences about the wonders of science.

•David Saltzberg (The Big Bang Theory)
•David Goetsch (The Big Bang Theory)
•Erin Macdonald (Star Trek)
•Roshan Sethi (The Resident)
•Jacob F. Lentz (The Pitt)
•Moderated by Ritesh Mehta (Writer & Critic, IndieWire)

4:30 – 6:00 pm — Sloan Grantee Script Live Reads

Beverly Garland Theater, The Garland

A staged reading of Sloan-supported screenplays and teleplay excerpts.
•McNair by Nile Price
•Killing Jar by Etzu Shaw
•Folsom Man by Kristen N. Edney
•Mileva by Nicola Lanthier-Rogers
•Lucid by Mia Mullarkey
•Silo by Cole Smith
•La Forza by Justine Beed

6:00 – 7:00 pm — ‘Science in Motion’ Cocktail Hour

Courtyard, The Garland

An innovative science fair that transforms the late afternoon hour into an immersive exploration of creativity, research and storytelling. Attendees have the opportunity to wander through a dynamic landscape of scientific imagination, where each station offers a unique window into innovative research, artistic practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.

•Whammy Analog Media x T.A.P.E
•The Los Angeles Astronomical Society
•Forager Crafts
•3-D Space
•Philosophical Research Society
•The Los Angeles Mycological Society

8:00 – 9:00 am — Breakfast

Beverly Park, The Garland

9:15 – 11:15 am — Sloan Grantee Short Films Screening

Beverly Garland Theater, The Garland

A showcase of Sloan-supported short films.

•The Feather Detective by Mayanka Goel
•SILENCE = DEATH by Trace Pope
•Stranded by Raina Yang
•Gardeners by Merry May Ma
•FCBK by Kanani Koster

Q&A with filmmakers to be moderated by Film Independent’s Senior Programmer, Jenn Wilson.

2025 Sloan Summit Shorts Program
As part of the 2025 Sloan Summit’s in-person weekend of panels and screenings, we are happy to present the Summit’s works-in-progress shorts program virtually to Film Independent Members and their guests.
click here for registration

11:30 am – 12:30 pm — PANEL: Beyond Screens: How Podcasts and Social Media Are Democratizing Science Storytelling

Garland Ballroom, The Garland

The digital revolution has transformed how scientific knowledge is shared, moving beyond traditional academic journals and documentaries to reach audiences through podcasts, TikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms. This democratization is reshaping who gets to tell science stories and how they're told. Join innovative science communicators as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of digital-first science storytelling. From viral explainers to deep-dive audio series, these expert creators will share their approaches to making complex scientific concepts accessible, building engaged communities around science content, and navigating the tension between entertainment value and factual accuracy. The panel will explore how these emerging platforms are not just changing content distribution but fundamentally transforming the relationship between scientists, storytellers, and audiences.

•Lindsay Nikole (Zoology Science Communicator)
•Emily Graslie (The Brain Scoop)
•Dr. Kiki Sanford (This Week in Science)
•Isaias Hernandez (Queer Brown Vegan)
•Latif Nasser (Radiolab)
•Moderated by Ali Vanderkruyk (Filmmaker & Educator)

12:45 – 2:00 pm — Sloan Partner Organizations Lunch

Beverly Park, The Garland

2:00 – 2:15 pm — Group Photo

Beverly Park, The Garland

3:30 – 4:30 — Shuttle Travel to the Academy Museum

4:30 – 5:30 pm — Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Tour

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

6:00 – 8:30 pm — Closing Screening Love Me followed by Q&A

Ted Mann Theater, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

A screening of Love Me by Andy & Sam Zuchero which won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, followed by a conversation with USC computer science & psychology researcher and professor, Jonathan Gratch. Moderated by film critic and writer Manuel Betancourt.

Long after humanity’s extinction, a buoy and a satellite meet online and fall in love.

8:30 – 10:00 pm — Farewell Reception

Tea Room, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

10:00 pm — Shuttle Travel to The Garland