LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution

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:

Winner – Best Educational Film – Cannes World Film Festival (2024)
Best Picture & Best Animation – London Movie Awards (2024)
Best Feature Documentary – London Movie Awards (2025)
Best Picture, Best Feature Documentary, Gold Award – Feature Documentary – Hollywood Gold Awards (2024)
Best Feature Documentary – Hollywood Gold Awards (2025)
Best Feature Documentary – Paris Film Awards (2024)
Best Documentary, Best First Time Director (Male and Female), Best Editing, Best VFX – Champs-Élysées Film Awards (2024)
Nominee – Best First Time Filmmaker (Feature), Best Editing, Best Inspirational Film, Best Health Film, Best Educational Film – Cannes World Film Festival (2024)
Best Feature Documentary & Best Editing – American Filmatic Arts Awards (2024)
Best Experimental, Gold Award: Animation, Silver Award: Feature Documentary – International Gold Awards (2024)
Gold Award: Feature Documentary & Gold Award: Animation – International Gold Awards (2025)
Best Documentary, VFX, Feature – Creation International Film Festival (2024)
Special Jury Award – Best Documentary Feature Film – Thilsri International Film Festival (2024)
Best International Feature Film – Athvikvaruni International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Feature Film – Kookai International Film Festival (2024)
Best Feature Film (Documentary) – Chambal International Film Festival (2025)
Best Documentary Feature – Hamburg Indie Film Festival
Best European Film & Best Experimental Film – International Anatolian Film Awards
Best Documentary Feature – Festigious Los Angeles (2025)
Best International Documentary Film – Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF) (2025)
Best first time director, documentary – Cine Paris Film Festival (2024)
Short-list – Metropolis Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Film – Symbiotic Film Festival, Kiev (2024)
Best Feature Documentary, Gold Award – Animation – New York Movie Awards (2024)
Gold Award: Feature Documentary & Honorable Mention – New York Movie Awards (2025)
Gold Award – Experimental Film, Animated Film, Silver Award – Feature Documentary – Milan Gold Awards (2024)
Best Director of an Inspirational Film – Best Director of a Documentary – Silver Award – Best Actor & Director Awards, New York (2024)
Gold Award: Feature Documentary & Honorable Mention – Florence Film Awards (2025)
Silver Award – Feature Documentary – Florence Film Awards (2024)
Silver Award – Spotlight Documentary Film Awards (2024)
Best Documentary Feature, Best Editing, Best VFX – Rome International Movie Awards (2024)
Honorable Mention – Phare International Film Festival (2024)
Finalist in Best Documentary – Filmique International Film Festival (2024)
Best First Time Director Documentary – Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival (2024)
Award of Prestige – Best Director Documentary Feature – San Diego Movie Awards (2024)
Best Documentary Feature – Madrid International Movie Awards (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)
Best Documentary Film, Critic's Choice Award for Best Animated Film – Bangkok Movie Awards (2024)
Best Documentary – London Independent Film Awards (2024)
Best Documentary – British Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary – Filmmakers Connect Awards (2025)
Best Animation, Feature & Best Social Awareness, Feature – World Premiere Film Awards (2024)
Best Trailer – Chicago Indie Film Awards (2024)
Best Documentary – Near Nazareth Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Feature – Miami International Gold Awards (2024)
Best Documentary Feature – Five Continents International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Film – International Media Arts Film Awards (2024)
Official Selection – Indian Panorama International Film Festival (2024-25)
Official Selection – Kalakari Film Festival (2025)
Best Feature Documentary – Indie Film Awards (2024)
Best First Time Director, Best Health and Medicine Film – KIEZ Berlin Film Festival (2024)
Award of Merit, Animation & Social Awareness – Cinema WorldFest Film Awards (2024)
Award of Merit: Documentary Feature – IndieFEST Film Award (2025)
Award of Merit: Documentary Feature – Accolade Global Film Competition (2024)
Outstanding Excellence: Research (subcategory); Excellence: Documentary – Depth of Field International Film Festival (2024)
Award of Recognition: Documentary Feature, Award of Recognition: Use of Film / Video for Social Change, Award of Recognition: Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational; Award of Merit: Research – Impact DOCS Awards (2025)
Platinum Winner: Animation, Documentary Feature, and Experimental Film – International Independent Film Awards (2024)
Best Artistic Design and Scenery, Best Visual Effects, Best Concept – LuminaFlicks International Short Film Fest (2024)
Special Jury Award – Tamizhagam International Film Festival (2024)
Special Jury Award – Nitiin International Film Festival, Malaysia (2024)
Best Educational Film, Best Experimental Film, Honorable Mention (Animated Film), Outstanding Achievement Award (Debut Filmmaker), Best Web and Social Media – Caravan International Film Festival (2024)
Best Social Science Film – Western Canadian International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Feature – Crown Wood International Film Festival (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)
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, Best Debut Documentary Film – Luleå International Film Festival (2024)
Best First Documentary Film – Sweden Film Awards (2024)
Excellence Award – Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival (2024)
Excellence Award – La Boheme Cinema (2024)
Best Documentary Feature Film – Sittannavasal International Film Festival (2024)
TIFA Award for Best Documentary – Triloka International Filmfare Awards (2024)
MIFF Award – Mokkho International Film Festival (2024)
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)
Best Documentary (Feature Length) – Swedish International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Feature – Rohip International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Feature Film – Birsamunda International Film Awards (2024)
Best Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, & Best Sound and Sound Design – CineTech Future Fest (2024)
Best International Feature Film – Athvikaruni International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary – 5th Literature in Cinema (2024)
Best Documentary – 6th Literature in Cinema (2024)
Award Winner for Culture – Mannheim Arts and Film Festival (2024)
Monthly Winner (November 2024) – Better Earth International Film Festival (awarded across six categories)
Best Documentary Feature – Second Sight International Film Festival (2024)
Winner – Best Documentary Films, Best Educational Film, Best Debut Filmmaker – Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Feature – Mei International Film Festival
Best Docu-Feature Film Award (Critics) – Samskara International Film Festival
Best first time director feature – Portugal Indie Film Festival (2024)
Best Documentary Film – Fourth Dimension Independent Film Festival
Best Trailer – Melbourne Independent Film Festival
Award Winner – Blue Star International Film Festival
Award Winner – Lakecity International Film Festival
Award Winner – Strasbourg International Film Festival
Best Docu Feature – Kanchenjunga International Film Festival
Best Docu-Feature – Chauri Chaura International Film Festival
Official Selection – Indian Independent Film Festival (IIFF) (2024)
Official Selection – Mysuru International Film Festival (MYIFF) (2024)
Finalist – Rome Prisma Film Awards (2024)
Finalist – Oniros Film Awards (New York)
Finalist – Bioscope International Film Fest (2024)
Finalist – NewBorn Short Film Festival Berlin (2024)
Finalist – MindField Film Festival (Albuquerque) (2025)
Finalist – Bocas Film Fest
Finalist – New York Film Awards
Finalist – Filmmakers Connect Awards
Finalist – Stafford Film Festival
Finalist – Rajasthan International Film Festival - RIFF 2025
Best Documentary Feature (Bronze) – Global Indian Film Festival (2024)
2nd Best Documentary Feature – Shunyatam International Film Festival (2024)
Honorable Mention – Seven Continents Awards (2024)
Honorable Mention – Castle Film & Media Awards (2024)
Honorable Mention – Berlin Indie Film Festival (2024)
Honorasle Mention – Berlin Kiez 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
Honorable Mention – Buffalo Roots Film Festival
Semi-Finalist – Los Angeles Film Awards (2024)
Semi-Finalist – Chicago Filmmaker Awards
Semi-Finalist – London International Filmmakers Festival (2024)
Semi-Finalist – Kyoto Independent Film Festival (2024)
Semi-Finalist – New Orleans International Film Awards (2024)
Semi-Finalist – Detroit Independent Film Festival
Semi-Finalist – Sacramento Independent Film Festival
Semi-Finalist – Oakland Awards
Semi-Finalist – San Diego International Film Awards
Semi-Finalist – Melbourne Independent Film Festival
Semi-Finalist – Hamburg Indie Film Festival (2024)
Semi-Finalist – Glasgow Film Awards (2024)
Semi-Finalist – Vesuvius International Film Awards (2024)
Semi-Finalist – New Orleans International Film Awards
Semi-Finalist – Los Angeles Silver Screen Film Festival
Semi-Finalist – Berlin Indie Awards
Semi-Finalist – Austin Arthouse International Festival
Semi-Finalist – Vancouver Independent MovieMaker Awards
Semi-Finalist – Santa Fe Movie Awards (2025)
Quarter-Finalist – Clout Film Fest - Winterfest (2024)
Quarter-Finalist – Golden Jury Film Festival (2024)
Quarter-Finalist – Dublin Movie Awards
Nominee – Ekurhuleni International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee – Director’s Cut International Film Festival
Nominee – Digital Griffix Film Awards
Nominee – Madonie Film Festival (2024)
Nominee – Art Film Spirit Awards
Nominee – Barcelona Indie Awards
Nominee – Toronto Film & Script Awards
Nominee – LA Sun Film Fest
Nominee – LAKECITY International Film Festival
Nominee – LA International Art Film Fest
Nominee – SEAiff (South East Asian International Film Festival)
Nominee – Faith, Hope, and Love Screenwriting Competition & Film Festival
Nominee – AltFF Alternative Film Festival
Nominee – Shanghai Indie Film Festival

About 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.

Featured Interviews and Reviews

Learn more about the creative process, inspiration, and vision behind LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution in these interviews and reviews:

Watch 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.

LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution