“Weird.” Amusing.” “What’s with the cat?” These are all phrases that were heard at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) on Thursday, February 23.
As the Canadian screening partners of Quantum Shorts, IQC and Science World at TELUS World of Science in Vancouver held the first public screenings of the top 10 short films chosen for screenings around the world. A judging panel of six watched over 200 short films from more than 50 countries inspired by quantum physics. A shortlisting panel then judged the remaining 41 films. On February 15 the Centre for Quantum Technologies announced the top 10.
From animated films, to funny live action to thought-provoking imagery, the audiences in Waterloo and Vancouver enjoyed the top 10 Quantum Shorts. After which they had the opportunity to vote for their favourite to win the People’s Choice prize of $500. (You too can watch the finalists and place your vote before March 26!)
At IQC, a public lecture about the applications of quantum devices followed the screenings with a lecture. Senior Manager, Scientific Outreach, Martin Laforest delved into what we know quantum devices will be used for and where researchers are hoping they will be used in the future.
This is the second year that IQC has partnered with the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at the National University of Singapore for the Quantum Shorts contest. CQT has run the contest series for five years alternating between annual calls for science fiction and science films since 2012. Entrants use quantum physics concepts, its history, philosophy or technology as a springboard to inspire their stories or five-minute films.