ScienceVille is part of DOCVILLE, a leading international documentary film festival held annually in March. The ScienceVille programme features science documentaries, debates and lectures centred on scientific themes.
During ScienceVille, researchers from various universities also present their work to a broad audience and a selection of filmmakers through the Science Pitch. This gives them the opportunity to collaborate on a short, high-quality auteur documentary based about their research.
'Who Am I, When I Wake Up?'
The research of Liselotte Gezels, a researcher at CAPRI and the University Psychiatric Centre Duffel, was adapted into an artistic science documentary by director Lize Cuveele. The documentary was produced by Associate Directors.
When therapy and medication offer no relief for severe depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) — better known as electroshock therapy — can offer a solution. Mie and Tine have been struggling with depression for years. Their hopes are now pinned on ECT. How are they experiencing their treatment? Are they gradually rediscovering their former selves? And how do they cope with the lingering haze after an ECT session?
World premiere on Friday 20 March at the Stadsschouwburg in Leuven. (That evening, the VUB film about the endangered monk vulture will also be screened.)
Info & tickets: DOCVILLE 2026 - Wie ben ik, als ik ontwaak?
Deadly Farts and Viking Teeth
During the ScienceVille children’s programme, you might run into Katrien Michiels (Laboratory for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology) and Maarten Larmuseau (ARCHES and KU Leuven). They will give a lecture together — “about other dangerous substances too, of course” (as Katrien puts it) — and you’ll have the chance to ask them all your questions.
Sunday 22 March
Info and tickets: DOCVILLE 2026 - Dodelijke scheten & Viking-tanden
Science Pitch 2026
Thomas de Kerf (Industrial Vision Lab) and Artemis Tsoulou-Malakoudi (research group Media, Movements and Politics) will compete with researchers from other Flemish universities by pitching their work. The prize? A professional auteur documentary about their research!
Dirk Draulants introduces ten researchers, each pitching their latest research. In the audience: filmmakers ready to turn the proposed research into a (short) scientific documentary, alongside people curious about cutting-edge science — and, of course, supporters.
Join us on Monday 23 March and find out whether UAntwerp will secure a third documentary.
Info and tickets: DOCVILLE 2026 - Science Pitch 2026
'Refugee stories'
Media coverage of refugees often focuses on extreme or exceptional stories, leaving the everyday lives of the majority underexposed. Most of that majority does not live in the West, but often in large camps such as Kakuma in Kenya. The 'Refugee Stories' project offers a scientifically based, data-driven insight into life in such a camp.
Rose, Elizabeth, Ayen, Abdirizak and Maker — each representing a different income level — present a more representative picture that moves beyond stereotypes and analyses the camp as a layered micro-society.
Based on research by Olivier Sterck, in collaboration with Alexander Betts. Directed by Raphael Bradenbrinke and Christian Baobab.
World premiere on Thursday 26 March (English with English subtitles), with researcher Olivier Sterck in attendance.
Info and tickets: DOCVILLE 2026 - Refugee Stories
'The Miracle Down There'
In the spring of 2024, Sarah Ahannach (an ISALA researcher) was one of the winners at ScienceVille. This led to the creation of the musical science documentary Het Wonder Daaronder - Een duik in het vaginale microbioom (The Miracle Down There – A Dive into the Vaginal Microbiome). Directed by Nina Landau, in collaboration with Associate Directors, DOCVILLE, and Dalton Distribution.
After its premiere at DOCVILLE 2025 and the Antwerp premiere on 1 July, the documentary has been screened at several other events.
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ScienceVille 2025
ScienceVille is part of DOCVILLE, a leading international documentary film festival held annually in March. The ScienceVille programme features science documentaries, debates and lectures centred on scientific themes.
UAntwerp is well represented at ScienceVille 2025:
Premiere ScienceVille 2024 winner | Thursday 27 March
'The Miracle Down There – A Dive into the Vaginal Microbiome'
With the help of thousands of women, the microbiology lab at the University of Antwerp explores the lower part of the female body: which micro-organisms live there, what do they do, and what can we learn from them? This pioneering research has clear societal relevance.
Researcher: Sarah Ahannach, researcher at LAMB (Laboratory for Applied Microbiology and Microtechnology)
Director: Nina Landau
Production: Nina Payrhuber (FFLW alumna)
27 March 2025 | 20:00 h | Kinepolis, Zaal 1 (Bondgenotenlaan 145, Leuven)
Tickets
After the premiere, the documentary will be screened at various locations. Keep an eye on this page and our social media for updates and further details.
Science Pitch | Monday 31 March
Eight researchers will present their research at an event for the general public and a selection of filmmakers. They will compete for the opportunity to have a short, high-quality auteur documentary made about their research.
The following researchers will represent UAntwerp:
- Liselotte Gezels | Shocked into Recovery: The Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Fight Against Depression
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide life-saving relief for severe depression, but relapse after treatment remains a major challenge. My research focuses on breaking this vicious cycle. This documentary reveals the true potential of ECT, challenges stigma, and offers patients hope for lasting recovery.
Research group: CAPRI (The Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute) - Lowie Vercruysse | Rubens under the scanner: From Sketch to Masterpiece
Step into the fascinating world of Peter Paul Rubens’ monumental altarpieces. Using advanced MA-XRF technology, we reveal Rubens’ creative process and hidden compositions, from the first sketch to the final masterpiece. Follow this unique research, where art and science come together, and discover how modern techniques unravel centuries-old mysteries.
Research group: ARCHES (AntweRp Cultural HEritage Sciences)
Read more about the programme / the competition
31 March 2025 | 18:00 h | Cinema Zed Leuven
Tickets