LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution | Multi-Award-Winning Documentary
Directed by Nini Myhrvold & Dr. Espen Folmo
Embark on a transformative journey with LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution. This groundbreaking animated documentary bridges the gap between cutting-edge scientific insights and timeless cultural wisdom. Through vivid storytelling and compelling visuals, it unpacks profound ideas from a meticulously crafted scientific manuscript.
For an uninterrupted, ad-free experience, you can watch the film on Vimeo.
Rooted in groundbreaking research, LOOK UP draws its narrative from a scientific manuscript published by Kolofon, available in both English and Norwegian.
The English version is available from Google play here. From Apple Books here. And on Amazon here.
The Norwegian version can be found here:
About the Film
LOOK UP offers a unique journey where scientific insight meets cultural wisdom. This animated documentary breathes life into complex ideas from a comprehensive scientific manuscript, blending the subtleties of psychotherapy research with timeless cultural insights. At two hours and fifty minutes, this feature film represents a new genre—melding academic depth with the engaging narrative of a documentary.
Embark on a fascinating exploration of how cultural evolution mirrors biological evolution, uncovering emergent phenomena that drive both our scientific pursuits and collective awareness. This film delves into the transformative role of psychotherapy in shaping personal and societal growth, advocating for relational science's integration into daily life.
Guided by a compelling storyline, LOOK UP invites viewers on an immersive journey, exploring the ancient practice of healing through subconscious cultural agreements that manifest in shared human experiences and collective healing processes.
Discover more about the film on our IMDb page, including awards, reviews, and behind-the-scenes details.
Join us for an enlightening experience that fosters both personal growth and societal transformation. This is more than just a viewing—it’s an invitation to integrate profound insights into one’s own journey.
Awards & Recognitions
LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution has been honored globally for its visionary approach and academic depth. Recent accolades include:
LOOK UP – The Science of Cultural Evolution
Complete List: International Awards and Recognitions
🏆 MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS
- Winner – Best Educational Film
- Nominee – Best First Time Filmmaker (Feature)
- Nominee – Best Editing
- Nominee – Best Inspirational Film
- Nominee – Best Health Film
- Quarter-Finalist
- Best Picture & Best Animation (2024)
- Best Feature Documentary (2025)
- Best Picture, Best Feature Documentary, Gold Award – Feature Documentary (2024)
- Best Feature Documentary (2025)
- Best Feature Documentary
- Best Experimental; Gold Award: Animation; Silver Award: Feature Documentary (2024)
- Gold Award: Feature Documentary & Gold Award: Animation (2025)
- Best Feature Documentary; Gold Award – Animation (2024)
- Gold Award: Feature Documentary & Honorable Mention (2025)
- Gold Award: Experimental Film; Gold Award: Animated Film; Silver Award: Feature Documentary
- Silver Award: Feature Documentary (2024)
- Gold Award: Feature Documentary & Honorable Mention (2025)
🏆 SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
- Best Documentary, Best First Time Director (Male and Female), Best Editing, Best VFX
- Best Feature Documentary & Best Editing
- Best Director of an Inspirational Film; Best Director of a Documentary; Silver Award
- Best Documentary Feature; Best Editing; Best VFX
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best First Time Director Documentary
- Award of Prestige: Best Director Documentary Feature
- Best Documentary
- Best VFX
- Best Feature
🏆 RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY FESTIVALS
- Award Winner – Best Documentary Feature
- Winner – Best Documentary Feature
- Winner – Best European Film & Best Experimental Film
- Winner – Best Documentary Film
- Award Winner
- Best Jury Award – Documentary Film, International Category
- Winner – Best Docu-Feature Film (Critics)
- Winner – Special Jury Award (Documentary)
- Award Winner – Best Documentary Film
- Winner – Phenomenal Attainment Award (Best Documentary Film)
- Award Winner – Best Debut Film
- Award Winner – Best Documentary Film
- Most Innovative Film
🏆 SPECIALIZED INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
- Special Jury Award: Best Documentary Feature Film – Thilsri International Film Festival (2024)
- Special Jury Award: Best Documentary Feature Film – Tamizhagam International Film Festival (2024)
- Special Jury Award – Nitiin International Film Festival, Malaysia (2024)
- Best International Feature Film – Athvikvaruni International Film Festival (2024)
- Silver Award – Spotlight Documentary Film Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature – Miami International Gold Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature – Five Continents International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Social Science Film – Western Canadian International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature – Crown Wood International Film Festival (2024)
- Award Winner – Best Feature – Denver Monthly Film Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary – Eastern Europe Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary – The Buddha International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature – South Film and Arts Academy Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary; Best Experimental Film – Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival (2024)
- Award Winner – Feature Documentary – Palermo International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Experimental Film – Strasbourg International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Kookai International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Feature Film (Documentary) – Chambal International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Documentary Feature – Festigious Los Angeles (2025)
- Best International Documentary Film – Rajasthan International Film Festival (2025)
- Best First Time Director, Documentary – Cine Paris Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Film – Symbiotic Film Festival, Kiev (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Rameshwaram International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Educational Film – Rameshwaram International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Documentary Feature – Kodaikanal International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Makizhmithran International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Poombukar International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Kollywood International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Sittannavasal International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature Film – Birsamunda International Film Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature; Best Debut Documentary Film – Luleå International Film Festival (2024)
- Best First Documentary Film – Sweden Film Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary (Feature Length) – Swedish International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature – Rohip International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary – British Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary – London Independent Film Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary Film – Near Nazareth Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Film; Critic's Choice Award for Best Animated Film – Bangkok Movie Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary Film – International Media Arts Film Awards (2024)
- Best Feature Documentary – Indie Film Awards (2024)
- Best Documentary – 5th Literature in Cinema (2024)
- Best Documentary – 6th Literature in Cinema (2024)
🏆 MULTI-CATEGORY WINNERS & TECHNICAL AWARDS
- Best Educational Film; Best Experimental Film; Honorable Mention (Animated Film); Outstanding Achievement Award (Debut Filmmaker); Best Web & Social Media – Caravan International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Artistic Design and Scenery; Best Visual Effects; Best Concept – LuminaFlicks International Short Film Fest (2024)
- Best Screenplay; Best Visual Effects; Best Sound and Sound Design – CineTech Future Fest (2024)
- Monthly Winner (November 2024) across six categories – Better Earth International Film Festival (2024)
- Best Animation Feature – World Premiere Film Awards (2024)
- Best Social Awareness Feature – World Premiere Film Awards (2024)
- Best Trailer – Chicago Indie Film Awards (2024)
- Winner – Best Trailer/Teaser – Melbourne Independent Film Festival (2025)
- Best Experimental Film & My 1st Feature Film – Stockholm City Film Festival (2024)
- Best Script – Feature Documentary – 12th Noida International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Experimental Feature Film – World Cinema Awards (Winter 2024)
- Runner-up – Best Docu Feature – Kanchenjunga International Film Festival (2025)
- Runner-up – Best Docu Feature – Chauri Chaura International Film Festival (2025)
🏆 MERIT, EXCELLENCE & SPECIAL RECOGNITION
- Excellence Award – Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival (2024)
- Excellence Award – La Boheme Cinema (2024)
- Outstanding Excellence: Research; Excellence: Documentary – Depth of Field International Film Festival (2024)
- TIFA Award: Best Documentary – Triloka International Filmfare Awards (2024)
- MIFF Award – Mokkho International Film Festival (2024)
- Award of Merit: Documentary Feature – IndieFEST Film Award (2025)
- Award of Merit: Documentary Feature – Accolade Global Film Competition (2024)
- Award of Recognition: Documentary Feature; Use of Film/Video for Social Change; Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational; Award of Merit: Research – Impact DOCS Awards (2025)
- Platinum Winner: Animation; Documentary Feature; Experimental Film – International Independent Film Awards (2024)
- Award of Merit: Animation & Social Awareness – Cinema WorldFest Film Awards (2024)
- Best First Time Director; Best Health and Medicine Film – KIEZ Berlin Film Festival (2024)
- Winner: Best Documentary Films; Best Educational Film; Best Debut Filmmaker – Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival (2024)
- Best First Time Director Feature – Portugal Indie Film Festival (2024)
- Monthly Outstanding Achievement Award Winner – Sundarban International Film Festival (2024-25)
- Gold Award: Best Documentary – MindField Film Festival Los Angeles (2024)
- Gold Award: Best Documentary Feature – Latitude Film Awards (2024)
- Award for Culture – Mannheim Arts and Film Festival (2024)
- Best Documentary Feature – Second Sight International Film Festival (2024)
🧾 CERTIFICATE-DOCUMENTED AWARDS
- Best Editing – Trivento Soulplace Film Festival (2025)
- Best Documentary Director – Saath Jiyo Foundation International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Documentary – Saath Jiyo Foundation International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Ensemble Cast – Saath Jiyo Foundation International Film Festival (2025)
- Best Experimental Feature Film – Chicago Cinema Awards (2025)
- Certificate of Achievement – Kalakari Film Festival (2025)
🟨 HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Honorable Mention – Phare International Film Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention for Best Inspirational Film – New York International Film Awards (2024)
- Honorable Mention for Best Documentary (Long) – American Golden Picture International Film Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention – East Village New York Film Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Heart of Europe International Monthly Film Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Seven Continents Awards (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Castle Film & Media Awards (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Berlin Indie Film Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Berlin Kiez Film Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Frames of New York (2025)
- Honorable Mention – World Class Film Awards (2025)
- Honorable Mention – Bracciano Film and Arts Festival (2024)
- Honorable Mention – Digital Griffix Film Awards (2025)
- Honorable Mention – Buffalo Roots Film Festival (2025)
🎯 FINALISTS
- Best Documentary Feature (Bronze) – Global Indian Film Festival (2024)
- 2nd Best Documentary Feature – Shunyatam International Film Festival (2024)
- Finalist – Metropolis Film Festival (2024)
- Finalist in Best Documentary – Filmique International Film Festival (2024)
- Finalist – Rome Prisma Film Awards (2024)
- Finalist – Bioscope International Film Fest (2024)
- Finalist – NewBorn Short Film Festival Berlin (2024)
- Finalist – MindField Film Festival (Albuquerque) (2025)
- Finalist – Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF) (2025)
- Finalist – 12th ARFF Barcelona International Film Festival (2025)
- Finalist – Filmmakers Connect Awards (2025)
- Finalist – Oniros Film Awards (New York) (2024)
- Finalist – Bocas Film Fest (2025)
- Finalist – New York Film Awards (2025)
- Finalist – Stafford Film Festival (2025)
- Finalist – New York Istanbul Short Film Festival (2025)
🌀 SEMI-FINALISTS
- Semi-Finalist – Los Angeles Film Awards (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – London International Filmmakers Festival (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – Hamburg Indie Film Festival (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – Glasgow Film Awards (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – Dublin Movie Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Berlin Indie Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Kyoto Independent Film Festival (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – New Orleans International Film Awards (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – Vesuvius International Film Awards (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – Santa Fe Movie Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Brussels World Film Festival (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Ottawa Film Award (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Hollywood International Golden Age Festival (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Santa Monica International Filmmaker Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Chicago Filmmaker Awards (2024)
- Semi-Finalist – Detroit Independent Film Festival (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Sacramento Independent Film Festival (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Oakland Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – San Diego International Film Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Austin International Art Festival (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Cleveland Arthouse Film Awards (2025)
- Semi-Finalist – Madrid Arthouse Film Festival (2025)
📘 QUARTER-FINALISTS
- Quarter-Finalist – Clout Film Fest - Winterfest (2024)
- Quarter-Finalist – Golden Jury Film Festival (2024)
📝 NOMINEES
- Nominee – Ekurhuleni International Film Festival (2024)
- Nominee – Madonie Film Festival (2024)
- Nominee – Director's Cut International Film Festival (2024)
- Nominee – Art Film Spirit Awards (2024)
- Nominee – SEAiff (South East Asian International Film Festival) (2025)
- Nominee – Barcelona Indie Awards (2025)
- Nominee – Toronto Film & Script Awards (2025)
- Nominee – LA Sun Film Fest (2025)
- Nominee – LA International Art Film Fest (2024)
- Nominee – Faith, Hope, and Love Screenwriting Competition & Film Festival (2025)
- Nominee – AltFF Alternative Film Festival (2024)
🌐 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
- Official Selection – Indian Panorama International Film Festival (2024-25)
- Official Selection – Kalakari Film Festival (2025)
- Official Selection – Indian Independent Film Festival (IIFF) (2024)
- Official Selection – Mysuru International Film Festival (MYIFF) (2024)
- Official Selection – FilmFare India International Film Festival (2025)
- Official Selection – Red Dirt International Film Festival (2025)
TOTAL: 194 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Prestige highlights: Cannes World Film Festival, London Movie Awards, Hollywood Gold Awards, Paris Film Awards
Year distribution: 2024 (124 awards) | 2025 (70 awards)
↑ Back to TopAbout the Directors
Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold (b. 1990) has a background in environmental therapy, specializing in trauma-sensitive care and holistic approaches to well-being. Nini is a birth and pregnancy therapist, a biopath with published research, and is currently pursuing an EMBA at Hult International Business School. Visit Nini’s website.
Espen Jan Folmo (b. 1980) holds a PhD in psychology and brings a wealth of experience from international research in psychotherapy. As the former Head of the Quality Laboratory for Psychotherapy at Oslo University Hospital, he is deeply versed in therapeutic research and application. Espen also has expertise in journalism, technology management from MIT, and change management from INSEAD. He has a rich background in spirituality, including the Diamond Approach, which has informed his work over the past two decades.
LOOK UP – The Science of Cultural Evolution
Interviews & Reviews
🎬 INTERVIEWS
- Cannes Film Awards: Exclusive Interview – Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold & Espen Jan Folmo
- Indian Independent Film Festival: Special VIP Interview – Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold & Espen Jan Folmo
- Best Film Awards: Spotlight Interview – Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold & Espen Jan Folmo
- Art Film Video Interview – Nini Myhrvold & Espen Folmo
📝 FILM FESTIVAL REVIEWS & FEATURES
- Stockholm City Film Festival – Official festival review and feature
- Noida International Film Festival – Festival catalogue feature
- Caravan International Film Festival – Celebrating poetic storytelling
- Sweden Film Awards – Reviewing cultural evolution and personal growth
🏆 AWARD REVIEWS & RECOGNITION
- International Gold Awards Review – Official award review
- New York Movie Awards Review #1 – Award recognition and analysis
- New York Movie Awards Review #2 – Additional recognition feature
- Hollywood Gold Awards – Discussing the film's artistic vision
- Florence Film Awards – Exploring captivating storytelling
- Paris Film Awards – Acknowledging emotional resonance
- American Golden Picture International Film Festival – Festival recognition and feature
📰 MEDIA COVERAGE & ANALYSIS
- Chicago Movie Magazine – "What We Need to Know About LOOK UP": Exploring the film's themes, creative process, and impact on cultural discourse
- LA Art Film Institute – Highlighting the film's innovative narrative approach
Comprehensive media coverage spanning international film festivals, award ceremonies, and cultural publications
Total coverage: 17 interviews, reviews, and features across major film industry platforms
↑ Back to TopWatch the Trailer
Abridged Abstract
In our collective odyssey through time and space, from the primordial soup to the sprawling complexities of modern civilization, we encounter the enigmatic dance of emergence and evolution.
The evolution of species, a journey marked by gradual adaptations and sudden leaps, mirrors the trajectory of our cultural evolution. Just as biologists grapple with the 'missing links' that puzzle the evolutionary chain, we, too, find ourselves at crossroads in our cultural and intellectual development. These are moments where leaps in understanding and innovation occur, not through incremental steps but through transformative shifts, akin to the emergent properties of complex systems like Dictyostelium discoideum, where collective intelligence surpasses the sum of individual capabilities.
The staircase from the atom to the stars, a metaphor for our scientific and spiritual quest, is not just a linear path but a series of leaps and bounds, where new understanding emerges from the confluence of ideas, much like the discrete notes on a piano coming together to form music.
In the light of our evolving understanding of emergent phenomena, both in science and culture, we stand at the precipice of a new epoch. Our survival and thriving as a species may well depend on our ability to embrace and navigate these emergent realities, transforming our collective consciousness to meet the challenges and harness the opportunities of our times.
As we ponder these possibilities, let us remember that every step in our evolutionary journey, every leap in our cultural consciousness, brings us closer to realizing our full potential as stewards of this planet and architects of our destiny. And, there is no emergent phenomena, unless we all step up. Cohesion is what makes human groups magic, and emergent: This is why you are one of the most important beings ever to be alive. The present movie, invites you on a “therapeutic” journey to integrate a scientific toolkit for you to play your role in our biblical times.
