Windfall Films To Produce Christmas Lectures Series

Windfall Films has been commissioned by BBC Four to produce the 2013 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures (3x60').
This will be the twelfth time that Windfall has been at the helm of the series. Presented by Dr. Alison Woollard, a developmental biologist from the University of Oxford, this year's lectures will explore the frontiers of developmental biology.
The demonstration packed three-part series, entitled Life Fantastic, will answer some of the most profound questions about life itself: uncovering the remarkable journey from a single cell to a 40 trillion cell organism; revealing deep connections to our ancient fishy ancestors; and looking at how we age and whether we can change this process. The lectures will also explore the serious ethical questions that stem from these discoveries. Should we tinker with evolution? Do we want to live forever? And should we be manipulating our own genes?
Dr Alison Woollard said: "I won a science prize when I was 12 that gave me the opportunity to attend the Christmas Lectures. All these years later as a developmental biologist, it is truly an honour to be returning to present the 2013 series on Life Fantastic."
Gail Cardew, Director of Science and Education at the Royal Institution said: "The topic this year was really inspired by the great British achievements in cell and developmental biology over the past 15 years. I am especially pleased to have a woman presenting the series and absolutely delighted that we have discovered an exciting new talent in Alison. She has a wonderful way of bringing this microscopic topic alive for young people."
(CD/JP)