Reel Science: Andre is an Idiot

Reel Science: André is an Idiot brings together movie lovers and science fans for an evening that is as mind-expanding as it is heart-tugging.

This special screening pairs an award-winning documentary with real-world insight from researchers and experts, turning a night at the movies into a live conversation about life, death, and the choices we make in between.

The film follows André Ricciardi as he decides to document his own terminal diagnosis, mixing unflinching honesty with wild imagination, sharp humor, and fantastical stop-motion animation.

Instead of a traditional somber medical story, this documentary bursts with irreverence and playful creativity, inviting you to laugh, think, and maybe squirm just a little as it tackles big questions about mortality and what it means to really live.

Thanks to a partnership with The University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences and the science-focused storytellers at Sandbox Films, the evening goes beyond the screen.

After the film, stick around for an in-person presentation and discussion where scientists unpack the themes of the documentary, from health and prevention to the psychology of facing the inevitable with courage and humor.

1. Experience a Sundance award-winning documentary on the big screen
2. Hear directly from researchers who connect the film’s story to real science
3. Explore how art, animation, and comedy can reframe difficult topics
4. Join a curious crowd that loves big ideas, big feelings, and smart filmmaking

If you like your documentaries bold, funny, and a little bit existential, this Reel Science night is the kind of midweek adventure that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.