The SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre is one of nine first-time recipients of a “Science on Screen” grant, a nationwide initiative promoting scientific literacy through entertainment.
Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have named 41 independent cinemas, museums, and community groups with film programs to receive a total of $250,000 in 2025-26. Each grantee will receive up to $9,000 to create and present three or more events that pair expert-led discussions of scientific topics with screenings of feature and documentary films.
This is just the beginning of our plans for film education, and we are excited to offer these special screenings to our community.”—Skye McLennan
“We’re so excited about this opportunity as it speaks to our belief that film can be used as an important medium and tool to engage in thought-provoking and important discussions,” according to SLO International Film Festival executive director Skye McLennan. “This is just the beginning of our plans for film education, and we are excited to offer these special screenings to our community.”
Grant recipients are chosen because they play a significant role in the cultural life of their communities, with successful track records of building strong community partnerships and producing creative, thought-provoking film programs that both educate and entertain audiences. At least one of the films shown by grantees must be a past recipient of the annual Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize or a Sloan Development Grant.
“We have three exciting screenings planned—featuring local professors and scientists—ranging from dunes to carnivorous plants,” McLennan said. “We look forward to sharing the program details and dates soon.”
Since partnering with Sloan in 2011, Coolidge Corner Theatre has awarded more than $3 million in grants to 140 film and science-focused organizations in 45 states and Washington, D.C.