Author/s Liivo Niglas, Frode Storaas, Diane Perlov

Liivo Niglas
Born in Estonia in 1970 is currently a lecturer of ethnology at University of Tartu, Estonia. He also runs an independent production company, Mp Doc, for nthropological documentary films. He has made films in Siberia, Africa, Central Asia and North America. His films have won numerous awards including „Prix IUCN“ at the Vison du Reel in Switzerland, “Golden Olive“ at the Kalamatha International Documentary Film Festival in Greece,: „Grand Prix“ at the International Festival of Ethnological Film in Serbia, „First Prize“ at the Matsalu International Nature Film Festival in Estonia. Some of his works are: „The Brigade“ (2000), „Yuri Vella’s World“ (2003), „Adventure High“ (2004), „Making Rain“ (2007), “Fish On!” (2008), “Itelmen Stories” (2010).
Frode Storaas
Since 1993 my base has been Bergen Museum at the University of Bergen. Before then I had different positions at the department of anthropology at UiB in between work for aid organizations in Sudan and East Africa, as NORAD (Norwegian Aid), NCR (Norwegian Church Relief), FAO (UN food Programme), two years scholarship from Norwegian Research Council and a year as a visiting scholar at the Program for Visual Anthropology at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
As a filmmaker I have been involved in projects in Eastern and Southern Africa, in the Middle East, in Mexico and USA, in China and in Norway and on the Balkans and Greece. A theme conveyed in some of these projects has been magic, how cultural traditions and ideas, which in some contexts can be looked upon as magical beliefs, may influence everyday life of people. But most of all my aim as a filmmaker is to create virtual meetings between an audience and the people presented on the screen. I want these meetings not only to communicate information, but also to move spectators emotionally, involving them in an experience that may make a difference.
Diane Perlov
Serves as the Deputy Director for Exhibits at the California Science Center, one of the largest science museums in the United States. In this capacity Dr. Perlov oversaw the development of the Science Center’s newest expansion Ecosystems. Opened in March 2010, Ecosystems is an unprecedented blend of living animals, immersive habitats and hands-on science exhibits where visitors can explore the basic principles that govern the relations between living things and their environments. Dr. Perlov also supervises all other exhibit programs including special exhibitions; exhibit sales and rentals; collection management; and the permanent exhibit pavilions of World of Life, Creative World, and the Sketch Foundation Gallery Air & Space Exhibits. In addition, she oversees Science Matters – a speakers series where nationally renowned experts discuss science issues at the forefront of public concern. She has presented papers and led conference sessions at national and international conferences. She previously served on the Program Planning Committee for the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and currently serves on the Program Committee for the American Association of Museums (AAM).

Research Frode Storaas, Diane Perlov
Photography Liivo Niglas
Sound Liivo Niglas
Editing Liivo Niglas, Mariu Iuhkum