LISTEN TO THE UNIVERSE short film, reactions FEMALE Film Festival (interview)
5m 30s
LISTEN TO THE UNIVERSE, 27min., USA
Directed by Elizabeth Rosa Landau, Kimberly Arcand
NASA is famous for beautiful space images, but did you know you can listen to them? Go behind the scenes with the team that creates “sonifications,” translations of data into sound, and learn how meaningful they are to people who are blind or low-vision.
https://instagram.com/nasa
Get to know the filmmakers:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
Elizabeth Rosa Landau: We wanted to share a different way of experiencing NASA data of our universe. For many years, our work for the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been about making high-energy astrophysics data accessible through images, sound, and interactive media. Sonification—turning data into sound—offers a powerful, emotional entry point. The documentary was a chance to invite people to listen to data of black holes, supernovae, and galaxies in ways they’ve possibly never imagined.
Kimberly Arcand: We wanted to share a different way of experiencing NASA data of our universe. For many years, our work for the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been about making high-energy astrophysics data accessible through images, sound, and interactive media. Sonification—turning data into sound—offers a powerful, emotional entry point. The documentary was a chance to invite people to listen to data of black holes, supernovae, and galaxies in ways they’ve possibly never imagined.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
ERL: The idea had been percolating for several months. Once Liz and I partnered with NASA+ on the documentary, it took about 12 months from concept through filming, editing, and release.
KA: The idea had been percolating for several months. Once Liz and I partnered with NASA+ on the documentary, it took about 12 months from concept through filming, editing, and release.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
ERL: Cosmic Soundscape.
KA: 3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Cosmic Soundscape.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
ERL: Balancing the goal with a limited budget. We wanted the film to stay true to the astrophysics, and tell a unique story from a specific viewpoint, all while also being compelling and accessible for a wide audience. Striking that balance—making it rigorous and yet resonant—on a budget was challenging and rewarding.
KA: Balancing the goal with a limited budget. We wanted the film to stay true to the astrophysics, and tell a unique story from a specific viewpoint, all while also being compelling and accessible for a wide audience. Striking that balance—making it rigorous and yet resonant—on a budget was challenging and rewarding.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
ERL: It was moving. To hear people connect emotionally, not just intellectually, with the film (and the universe!) confirmed why we made the film. It showed us that the work goes beyond science—it touches on empathy, imagination, and access.
KA: It was moving. To hear people connect emotionally, not just intellectually, with the film (and the universe!) confirmed why we made the film. It showed us that the work goes beyond science—it touches on empathy, imagination, and access.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
ERL: I didn’t start out thinking of myself as a filmmaker and still don’t! I started as a scientist and science communicator. Liz is comfortable and incredibly talented in the video space, however. And so are other members of the team. I have certainly seen over time how film can capture imagination, convey complexity, and reach audiences in ways that traditional formats can’t. Collaborating with visualizers, musicians, and storytellers to share science like this is such a gift.
KA: I didn’t start out thinking of myself as a filmmaker and still don’t! I started as a scientist and science communicator. Liz is comfortable and incredibly talented in the video space, however. And so are other members of the team. I have certainly seen over time how film can capture imagination, convey complexity, and reach audiences in ways that traditional formats can’t. Collaborating with visualizers, musicians, and storytellers to share science like this is such a gift.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
ERL: To stick to the space theme, perhaps Contact. It’s such a lovely example of being a science story and a human story It asks great questions about our place in the universe, just the kind of themes that inspire our work.
KA: To stick to the space theme, perhaps Contact. It’s such a lovely example of being a science story and a human story It asks great questions about our place in the universe, just the kind of themes that inspire our work.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
ERL: I’d love more opportunities for cross-disciplinary conversations—bringing together scientists, artists, and technologists with filmmakers. Those connections spark new ideas and collaborations that can carry beyond a single screening.
KA: I’d love more opportunities for cross-disciplinary conversations—bringing together scientists, artists, and technologists with filmmakers. Those connections spark new ideas and collaborations that can carry beyond a single screening.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
ERL: FilmFreeway made the process smooth and efficient. It’s intuitive, and it made it easy to connect with festivals we would not have otherwise known about.
KA: FilmFreeway made the process smooth and efficient. It’s intuitive, and it made it easy to connect with festivals we would not have otherwise known about.
10. What is your favorite meal?
ERL: Hummus and pita!
KA: Hummus and pita!
11. What is next for you? A new film?
ERL: I’m continuing to expand the sonification work with my incredibly talented team. I’d love to explore another film that delves into other topics of high energy astrophysics. I’m also working with collaborators on some new projects that combine sound, touch, and immersive technology to help make the universe even more accessible.
KA: I’m continuing to expand the sonification work with my incredibly talented team. I’d love to explore another film that delves into other topics of high energy astrophysics. I’m also working with collaborators on some new projects that combine sound, touch, and immersive technology to help make the universe even more accessible.