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EURASF to ESFA
ESFA grew out of the European Academy of Science Film (EURASF). EURASF was founded in 2015 in Olomouc, Czech Republic, during the AFO (Academia Film Olomouc) festival, from meetings among representatives of festivals, filmmakers, broadcasters and scientists. EURASF was based in Vienna, originally modelled on national film academies, and built mainly around an annual award for the best science documentary. This award gave visibility to films and filmmakers and provided a common reference point for festivals and productions working in the genre.
In 2019 the festival members of EURASF began discussing how to make the association more useful to their work and to that of filmmakers, with several smaller initiatives undertaken in this time. The pandemic slowed all activities, which resumed in May 2024 during the CineGlobe festival at CERN in Geneva, where the association was re-founded. The new name, European Science Film Association (ESFA), marked a shift from an academy centred on an award to an industry association. In October of the same year, during the Pariscience festival, board members held a general assembly in Paris to define the association's new identity.
Today the aim of promoting science documentary in Europe remains the same, but the approach has evolved. ESFA sets out to reflect on the role of science documentaries in promoting science literacy and in building audiences able to understand and engage with science. It also aims to build a broader network connecting festivals, filmmakers, producers and distributors, encouraging the exchange of ideas and practices and the development of collaborations.