Funds from this grant support three innovative annual awards programs at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts that urge students to write, direct, produce, and animate scripts that touch on scientific themes or feature scientists, mathematicians, or engineers as major characters. The first, aimed at student screenwriters, awards $15,000 to the best science-themed script submitted. The second provides $22,500 in production support to turn two compelling, accurate science-themed scripts into completed films. The third, aimed at animators, awards $15,000 in production support to a high-quality science themed animation project. Other grant funds support stipends for science advisors for student film projects to ensure the accuracy of scientific content, and for an annual science colloquium that educates students on exciting new scientific advances. Taken together, the USC program provides a rising generation of filmmakers with a powerful introduction to the narrative possibilities of merging science and film.