MaxCine Festival

Creating links between science, culture and youth for 15 years 

MaxCine celebrates its 15th anniversary with a week-long festival at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Radolfzell. As the institute’s hub for communication and exchange, MaxCine brings science to life through creativity and community. The festival invites participants to connect in nature—through talks, art, music, and shared experiences.

Enthusiasm is contagious. Few things are more inspiring than stepping into the world of people who are passionate about their work. Together with institute’s directors, MPI-AB scientists are searching for answers about the animal world to better understand it, learn from it, and protect it. At the MaxCine Festival from 3–5 October, MPI-AB opens its doors, inviting visitors to experience science in the making.

Join us for an inspiring program of talks, workshops, and activities that bring science to life.

Keynotetalksby MPI-AB directors showcase MPI-AB’s vision for understanding animal behavior in the natural world. Prof. Dr. Iain Couzin introduces the fascinating world of collective behavior. Prof. Dr. Martin Wikelski presents groundbreaking insights into animal migration, including his visionary “ICARUS” project and the “Internet of Animals.” And Prof. Dr. Meg Crofoot reveals the many ways that animals cooperate to form stable societies, much like our own.

The program also includes talks by MPI-AB staff scientists and special guests. Dr. Barbara Fruth and Dr. Maria van Noordwijk share decades of research on bonobos and orangutans, offering rare perspectives on primate behavior. While Dr. Paquita Hoeck (University of Zurich) examines the role of mistakes in science in her thought-provoking talk “Errors in Science.”

Visitors can get hands-on and explore how science connects to technology and creativity. “Animalistic robots” with Dr. Liang Li demonstrates how robotics and programming is applied in biology. More interactive workshops include the search for worms in nature; scientific drawing; animal icon painting; collages;and photography. As a special highlight, visitors can learn about the history of Möggingen Castle and its unique setting from Dr. Konrad Freiherr von Bodman.

The entire program and all important information about participation and registration can be found at: https://www.maxcine.de/festival