Science Film Festival
The Goethe-Institut Äthiopien, in collaboration with Alliance Ethio-Française Dire Dawa, the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), Kelem International School, the Juba Film Festival, and a network of public, private, international, and PASCH schools, is currently hosting the Science Film Festival 2025 from 10. October to 20. December 2025.
This year’s theme, “Green Jobs – Sustainable Careers”, explores the connection between environmental sustainability, economy, and work. The festival is designed to engage young audiences, particularly those in early and primary education, through a programme of film screenings, science experiments, and interactive science fairs.
Up to 30 films suitable for children, young people, and the public are showcased in schools, universities, and science institutions throughout Addis Ababa and selected cities across Ethiopia and in Juba, South Sudan. For the first time in the festival’s 21-year history, three original Ethiopian science films by Kelem International School are featured in the official selection, marking a significant milestone in local scientific storytelling.
Thanks to strengthened cooperation with Alliance Ethio-Française Dire Dawa and the Goethe-Institut’s PASCH network, the festival is reaching new audiences in Dire Dawa, Gondar, and Debre Berhan, with screenings and activities held in schools, cultural centres and possibly at children's centres in displacement camps. This expansion marks a monumental step in the festival’s outreach and inclusivity.
While Addis Ababa serves as the central hub, programmes are actively taking place in other regions wherever possible. To ensure broad accessibility, all selected films are available via online streaming and at the Juba Film Festival in South Sudan in December.
Science Film Festival 2024
The Science Film Festival is a celebration of science communication in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Since its first edition in 2005, the festival has grown considerably, becoming the largest event of its kind worldwide.
In 2024, the festival was focused on the topics of “Net Zero” and “Circular Economy”. This acknowledged that effective climate protection requires measures that go beyond merely reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Even small CO2 emissions can further exacerbate the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is why Net Zero concepts aim to offset these emissions by actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In contrast, the Circular Economy promotes the sustainable use of resources, minimizes waste, and designs products to be reused or recycled. A swift transition to these concepts is therefore essential to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement - an ambitious undertaking that necessitates fundamental changes and cannot be realized overnight.
The Goethe-Institut Äthiopien, in partnership with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), the Children's Science Center, and their network of public, private, and foreign schools, presented the Science Film Festival 2024 for the third consecutive time in Ethiopia, from October 7 to December 20, 2024. Up to 25 films appropriate for young pupils, youth, and the public were screened in schools and institutes of higher education across Ethiopia and in Juba, South Sudan. As such, the Goethe-Institut invited you to participate in the 20th edition of the Science Film Festival, allowing students and youth in your institution to access the films and teaching resources completely free of charge.
This year’s theme, “Green Jobs – Sustainable Careers”, explores the connection between environmental sustainability, economy, and work. The festival is designed to engage young audiences, particularly those in early and primary education, through a programme of film screenings, science experiments, and interactive science fairs.
Up to 30 films suitable for children, young people, and the public are showcased in schools, universities, and science institutions throughout Addis Ababa and selected cities across Ethiopia and in Juba, South Sudan. For the first time in the festival’s 21-year history, three original Ethiopian science films by Kelem International School are featured in the official selection, marking a significant milestone in local scientific storytelling.
Thanks to strengthened cooperation with Alliance Ethio-Française Dire Dawa and the Goethe-Institut’s PASCH network, the festival is reaching new audiences in Dire Dawa, Gondar, and Debre Berhan, with screenings and activities held in schools, cultural centres and possibly at children's centres in displacement camps. This expansion marks a monumental step in the festival’s outreach and inclusivity.
While Addis Ababa serves as the central hub, programmes are actively taking place in other regions wherever possible. To ensure broad accessibility, all selected films are available via online streaming and at the Juba Film Festival in South Sudan in December.
Science Film Festival 2024
In 2024, the festival was focused on the topics of “Net Zero” and “Circular Economy”. This acknowledged that effective climate protection requires measures that go beyond merely reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Even small CO2 emissions can further exacerbate the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is why Net Zero concepts aim to offset these emissions by actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In contrast, the Circular Economy promotes the sustainable use of resources, minimizes waste, and designs products to be reused or recycled. A swift transition to these concepts is therefore essential to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement - an ambitious undertaking that necessitates fundamental changes and cannot be realized overnight.
The Goethe-Institut Äthiopien, in partnership with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), the Children's Science Center, and their network of public, private, and foreign schools, presented the Science Film Festival 2024 for the third consecutive time in Ethiopia, from October 7 to December 20, 2024. Up to 25 films appropriate for young pupils, youth, and the public were screened in schools and institutes of higher education across Ethiopia and in Juba, South Sudan. As such, the Goethe-Institut invited you to participate in the 20th edition of the Science Film Festival, allowing students and youth in your institution to access the films and teaching resources completely free of charge.
