Participating in the Locarno Film Festival as part of the NCCR MSE “Science Meets Art” initiative was an extraordinary journey that blurred the lines between research and storytelling. For ten days, I lived and worked alongside filmmakers, artists, and cultural practitioners at BaseCamp, immersed in a vibrant atmosphere where curiosity and creativity flowed as naturally as the conversations themselves.
From the opening ceremony in the Piazza Grande to late-night screenings and deep discussions under the clear blue skies of Locarno, each day offered new encounters and unexpected insights. Watching international films, ranging from Swiss shorts to Palestinian documentaries, or works featuring renowned actors such as Emma Thompson and Lucy Liu, I found myself reflecting on how scientific inquiry mirrors artistic creation: both disciplines dissect reality, highlight hidden patterns, and frame new questions.
Workshops and masterclasses became moments of exchange where art challenged me to rethink my scientific role. In a speculative writing session by the river, I learned to treat nature not just as an object of study but as a storyteller in its own right. A masterclass with filmmaker Kamal Aljafari or Stefano Knuchel on documentaries revealed how personal visions shape creative work as much as they do scientific research. Discussions on copyright, AI, and politics reminded me that science, too, exists in cultural and ethical contexts that demand broader dialogue.
Amid the intensity of screenings and events, quieter yet equally profound moments stood out. Over a plate of cherry tomato pasta, cooked with care by Carla for our NCCR group meeting, we reflected on the role of scientists in society. Sharing a meal together seemed to dissolve barriers, leading to an open exchange about how science is perceived by non-scientific audiences and how we might and need to bridge that gap. It was a small, homely moment in the midst of the festival’s energy, but one that grounded me in why I was there: to listen, to connect, and to learn new ways of communicating, an essential condition for science to thrive.
Our group’s own contribution, a short film on the everyday realities of life in the lab, was a highlight. Presenting it at BaseCamp and engaging in an open discussion with artists and peers felt like the culmination of everything we had absorbed throughout the festival. The honesty of our approach, showing the white sterility, noise, and monotony of scientific work, created a surprising intimacy with the audience. It confirmed for me that storytelling is as vital to science as it is to cinema, especially when trying to connect with wider audiences.
What struck me most about Locarno was the sense of community. Scientists, medical doctors, filmmakers, and cultural voices from around the world met as equals, united by a willingness to share, to listen, and to experiment. Conversations ranged from philosophy to politics, from personal histories to the ethics of AI, reminding me that both science and art are grounded in a common responsibility: to imagine and shape futures that serve society.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who made this project possible: Stefano and Justine Knuchel, along with their dedicated team, who worked tirelessly to shape this unique experience. And to Ralf Stutzki from the University of Basel, who invited us to be part of this year’s NCCR MSE program in Locarno and is truly the heart and soul of this remarkable initiative. Science and scientists need to draw from these kinds of projects, which remind us why we do what we do every day, and for whom. I hold these memories close, and I highly recommend applying. This experience is both an inspiration and a gift, worth every second.
I returned from Locarno with more than memories. I carry with me new friendships, collaborations in the making, and a renewed sense of why I do science. Beyond data and experiments, science, like art, is about storytelling, about connecting with people, and about expanding what we think is possible.
Catarina
Hi there! My name is Catarina Monteiro Gomes, and I am a Portuguese biomedical engineer-turned-scientist, currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Hierlemann’s lab at ETH Zürich, in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering in Basel. My research focuses on building intricate 3D human brain cell models to study neuroinflammation and regeneration. In other words: I explore how the brain breaks – and, more importantly, how it might heal.
These models simulate the central nervous system and allow us to investigate innate immune responses, paving the way for developing advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). I’m drawn to this intersection of biology, technology, and creativity—where each experiment feels like a small act of discovery in uncharted territory.
Beyond the lab, I have always been captivated by storytelling. Working with the inspiring team at Soapbox Science Lisbon sparked a deep passion for science communication, especially in challenging gender stereotypes in STEM. I am also a lifelong lover of art, literature, and cinema – worlds that, like science, strive to explore who we are and how we make meaning.
The Locarno Film Festival offers a rare opportunity to blur the lines between science and the arts. Both fields seek to question, interpret, and imagine - and BaseCamp is a unique space where these parallel pursuits can intersect. I am coming to Locarno not just as a scientist, but as a curious observer - eager to listen, reflect, and uncover unexpected connections between neural circuits and cinematic narratives.