Friday 19 March 2010, 18.30

Rising to the Climate Challenge: Artists and Scientists Imagine Tomorrow's World event begins with a screening of the drama-documentary The Age of Stupid (2009). 

Directed by Franny Armstrong (McLibel, Drowned Out) and produced by Lizzie Gillett The Age of Stupid became one of the most talked-about films of the year on its release in 2009. 

Pete Postlethwaite stars as a film archivist in a devastated future world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

The production was notable for its innovative financing and for a distribution system which allows anyone anywhere to screen the film. The full story of the production of the film is told in the Making Of documentary which is free to watch online .

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Age of Stupid director Franny Armstrong, and head of environment at the Guardian Damian Carrington.

The symposium programme begins at 10.30 on Saturday 20 March and includes presentations, panel discussions and a public forum following a series of break up sessions where the audience will have the opportunity to formulate propositions and questions to the speakers with the help of a group of facilitators.

The event will be held in collaboration with the Royal Society to coincide with its 350 anniversary involving over 150 UK organisations including Tate Modern. One of the Society’s anniversary aims is to reinvigorate the role of science in society and in our broader culture.

Tate Modern  Starr Auditorium
£13 (£10 concessions), booking recommended
Symposium £10 (£8 concessions). Screening £5 (£4 concessions). Both bookable online individually. Please call or visit in person to book a joint Symposium/Screening ticket £13 (£10 concessions).