Science Fair (2018)
92%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 15 wins & 9 nominations
Science Fair offers further proof that real-life academic competition can make for effortlessly entertaining – and ultimately uplifting – cinema.
Science Fair is like a superhero movie, but instead of capes and superpowers, it’s all about science and brainpower. The documentary follows a group of brilliant teenagers from around the world as they compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair. It’s inspiring to see these young minds come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems, and the film does a great job of showcasing their hard work and dedication. Plus, it’s refreshing to see a documentary about science that’s not boring or stuffy. Overall, Science Fair is a must-watch for anyone who loves science, or just wants to feel inspired by the next generation of innovators.
Production Company(ies)
Altavista Films, Zeta Film
Distributor
National Geographic Documentary Films
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some thematic elements and brief language
Year of Release
2018
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 30m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2018
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, science fair, academic competition, high school students, international, Best in Fair, PG, English, Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, Jeff Plunkett, reviewed by Barry Hertz, Wendy Ide, Kevin Maher, Nigel Andrews, Adam Graham, Leah Pickett, Steven Prokopy, Jim Ross, Mike Sorrentino, Melissa Hannon, Karl Delossantos, Pat Mullen, produced by Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, Jeff Plunkett, directed by Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, written by Jeff Plunkett, Darren Foster, Cristina Costantini, starring Jack Andraka, Anjali Chadha, Ryan Folz, Harsha Paladugu, Abraham Riedel-Mishaan, Kashfia Rahman, box office gross $272.0K, National Geographic Documentary Films
Worldwide gross: $277,338
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $326,364
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,830
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 35,590
US/Canada gross: $276,195
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $325,019
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,433
US/Canada opening weekend: $11,231
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $13,216
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,640
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Anjali Chadha – Self
Ryan Folz – Self
Harsha Paladugu – Self
Abraham Riedel-Mishaan – Self
Kashfia Rahman – Self
Director(s)
Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster
Writer(s)
Jeff Plunkett, Darren Foster, Cristina Costantini
Producer(s)
Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, Jeff Plunkett
Film Festivals
Sundance, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
15 wins & 9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (76) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (2)
Science Fair may not necessitate a big-screen experience, but there are far lesser ways to spend your study break.
November 2, 2018
Barry Hertz
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
A crowd-pleasing, if slightly formulaic, documentary…
October 21, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Our heroes develop complex science projects. They cruise to the finals. Excellence is celebrated. Yet the film, though perfectly competent, never quite matches the sheer inventiveness of its young Einsteins.
October 19, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
I loved it.
October 17, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
“Science Fair” is a celebration of intellect and kids who want to improve the world. Turns out science is pretty cool, after all.
October 5, 2018 | Rating: A
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
The milieu is intense, the stakes are high, and the science prodigies themselves are fascinating.
October 4, 2018
Leah Pickett
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The superb documentary Science Fair reminds us that each new generation of would-be scientists should be recognized and celebrated in the same way and with the same frequency as student athletes.
June 23, 2020
Steven Prokopy
Third Coast Review
These young students deserve a moment in the spotlight now, and Costantini and Foster do much to illuminate a wider message that should be heeded.
February 13, 2020
Jim Ross
TAKE ONE Magazine
Also, fascinatingly, none of the people showcased exhibit the stereotypical, awkward “nerdiness” you might expect from a giant academic event like this.
October 31, 2019
Mike Sorrentino
CNET
‘Science Fair’ is an outstanding documentary featuring brilliantly entertaining teenagers from around the world.
August 15, 2019 | Rating: 4.5
Melissa Hannon
Horror Geek Life
It’s one of the best documentaries of the year.
August 2, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Karl Delossantos
Smash Cut Reviews
Science Fair is cute, fun, and inspiring, but let’s not kid ourselves: we’ve seen this documentary a million times before.
May 24, 2019
Pat Mullen
POV Magazine…
Plot
Nine high school students from disparate corners of the globe navigate rivalries, setbacks, and hormones on their quest to win the international science fair. Only one can be named “Best in Fair.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Also, fascinatingly, none of the people showcased exhibit the stereotypical, awkward ‘nerdiness’ you might expect from a giant academic event like this.
Cristina-Costantini.jpg
