The International Space Orchestra feature film (57 min) will premiere on Friday 25th January 2013 at the prestigious  Rotterdam International Film Festival , co-presented by V2_ the Institute for Unstable Media

See teaser on the International Space Orchestra Vimeo

World Premiere screening :  Friday Jan 25 in Schouwburg Kleine Zaal at 18:15

Additional screenings:

Saturday Jan 26th in CINERAMA 7 at 14:45

Tuesday Jan 29th in Lantaren Venster at 16:45

Please visit the International Film Festival Rotterdam website.

Join the International Space Orchestra – an assembly of star-spangled space scientists from NASA Ames Research Center, Singularity University, International Space University and the SETI Institute– as they perform a unique drama of non-terrestrial communication and the techno-wonders of mission control rooms.  In this tangential reality, your Flight Controller conducts arias and the Payload Officer works a baritone sax, while the Capsule Communicator is on the triangle. Merging science, technology, design and opera, this film captures the behind-the-scenes action during the creation of the International Space Orchestra.

Directed by NELLY BEN HAYOUN, featuring music written by Blur and Gorillaz frontman DAMON ALBARN with BOBBY WOMACK; MAYWA DENKI and PENGUIN CAFE‘s ARTHUR JEFFES. With lyrics by BRUCE STERLING & JASMINA TESANOVIC.Musical director: Two time Grammy-Award winner EVAN PRICE.

A film edited by Alice Powell

‘Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life. Much as science washes away the fallacies of how the world was formed and sustains itself… Good luck in your cosmic endeavours and may you truly make the music of the spheres.’

John W Boyd Senior Advisor to the Center Director of NASA Ames Research Center, the Senior Advisor for History and the Center Ombuds, letter to Nelly Ben Hayoun, August 13^th, 2012

‘Music, like the science of space, is a universal language written in the stars and shared by global hearts united in passion for song!’

Yvonne Cagle, M.D., NASA Astronaut, and International Space Orchestra percussionist, August 2012

Music and Art are expressions of the human existence and food for the soul. The next generation must understand that it isn’t a matter of having to choose between being creative in music and or art and pursuing the science and technology that will take us to the next jump in exploration. But rather, understanding the critical and elemental requirement to embrace both, because music and art are what will enable us to endure and thrive on the journey into space, and to thrive there and beyond.

Karen Bradford, Chief of Staff NASA Ames Research Center, and International Space Orchestra choir leader, August 2012