A new batch of Science Pitch documentaries
€80.000 to support two new short scientific documentaries
based on research by UGent and UAntwerpen
For the third year in a row, DOCVILLE is producing two short scientific documentaries. During the Science Pitch at DOCVILLE 2025, researchers presented their research to a group of filmmakers and producers. After a series of speed dates between filmmakers and researchers and a jury presentation, two new collaborations emerged. Besides the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the University of Antwerp and the University of Gent, KU Leuven also participated in the Science Pitch this year.
This way, DOCVILLE and the participating universities strive for short artistic documentaries that are valuable in terms of content, highlight scientific research and all that without sacrificing creativity. Just like the past two festival editions, the new documentaries will have their world premiere on the opening night of ScienceVille, the scientific part of DOCVILLE on Friday 20 March 2026.
Thanks to our partners
The Science Pitch is made possible by the support of VRT CANVAS, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, KU Leuven, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteit Gent, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO), Department Werk, Economie, Wetenschap, Innovatie en Economie (WEWIS) and the Nationale Loterij. Associate Directors will produce the documentaries.
The selected projects
Wie ben ik als ik ontwaak?
Researcher: Liselotte Gezels - UAntwerpen
Director: Lize Cuveele
Wie ben ik als ik ontwaak? wants to debunk the common clichés surrounding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). When therapies and medication do not offer a way out of severe depression, this treatment with small electrical impulses under anaesthesia can offer relief without the dramatic twitches you may have seen in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
The study by physician-researcher Liselotte Gezels focuses on how relapse into depression after ECT can be prevented. The film follows the trajectory of several patients: from intake to visible improvement. Using point clouds, you see the human brain in action and medical science finds its place in the human context. In this short documentary, the mystery of the brain and the universe meet and science wins over fear and stigma.
De kip, het ei en de speelvogel
Researcher: Frederick Verbruggen - UGent
Director: Lode Desmet
How does a scientist look at a bird and what does that say about our view on science? De kip, het ei en de speelvogel focuses on the research of Frederick Verbruggen, a cognitive psychologist cum behavioural scientist who shifted his focus from humans to birds. The film focuses on the quails he studies. During targeted behavioural experiments, Frederick investigates how the birds develop self-control. The quail study is interspersed with other research, bird species and surprising info.
Can the insights of Frederick and his team be generalised? Can you truly compare one bird to another? Are gulls really the hooligans of the sea? How do monk vultures prefer to date? And are birds really that different from humans?
How does the Science Pitch work?
Trajectory of the short documentaries
Scientists from the participating universities (KU Leuven, UGent, VUB and UAntwerpen) were able to submit a proposal to justify why their research deserves a documentary. The selected scientists were then each given media training to pitch their project to a group of filmmakers during the festival. Those filmmakers were then given several weeks to distil a concept for a short documentary based on the research. They will now each receive a budget of at least €40,000 to realise their creation.
Previous Science Pitch editions
The first short films produced by DOCVILLE premiered on the opening nights of ScienceVille 2024 and 2025. In 2024, filmmakers Camille Ghekiere and Charlotte De Cort based their film Coral City on the work of researchers Marc Kochzius (VUB) and Kushlani Dissanayake, studying the future of coral reefs in Sri Lanka. Testerep is about the eponymous vanished peninsula just off the Belgian coast. Vincent Langouche went to work with the project of researcher Soetkin Vervust (VUB) for this short documentary.
In 2025, UGent and UAntwerpen joined the Science Pitch, and at DOCVILLE 2025, De dag dat het zonlicht niet meer scheen by Maria and Frederik Stuut, based on research by Cem Berk Şenel (VUB) and Pim Kaskes, and Het wonder daaronderonder premiered at ScienceVille. The latter is a creation by Nina Landau focusing on UAntwerpen's Isala research, in collaboration with researcher Sarah Ahannach and Prof Sarah Lebeer's team.
The participating universities
The short scientific documentaries are the result of a collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, KU Leuven, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteit Gent and the FWO.
Since 1986, Vrije Universiteit Brussel has been systematically committed to science communication and popularisation. By participating in the Science Pitch, the university aims to discover innovative ways of making scientific knowledge accessible and sparking a sense of wonder.
KU Leuven is committed to bringing science closer to the general public and organises interactive and accessible activities for all ages; for everyone who is curious.
Universiteit Antwerpen gets people excited about science and introduces them to its impact on our daily lives; a mission that involves all its scientists. It offers lectures, events and creative initiatives that connect science and society.
Universiteit Gent takes various initiatives to improve the relationship between science and society, such as lectures, workshops, science cafés, podcasts and other initiatives. That way, it wants to bring science closer to the people and facilitate and stimulate the social debate on scientific evolutions.
The Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) funds excellent scientific research with impact. The FWO is committed to strengthening public support for science. It encourages its researchers to systematically communicate their research to the general public.