We’re especially drawn to themes at the intersection of technology and consciousness. AI, for instance, raises urgent psychological and cultural questions. We’re also exploring ideas around intergenerational wisdom, conscious parenting, and educational transformation. We may shift to series formats or shorter works that allow thematic depth across multiple episodes. Meanwhile, we’re bringing LOOK UP into educational and community spaces to spark dialogue. The next film is brewing—we’re letting it grow organically, listening for the idea that won’t let us go. Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold, Espen Jan Folmo

What inspired you to transition from psychology and journalism to documentary filmmaking?
We’ve always seen film as a universal language—a medium capable of communicating complex ideas in ways that resonate with both heart and mind. Our backgrounds in psychotherapy research and cultural studies gave us a deep well of insight, but we hungered for a way to share those insights beyond academic journals or articles. Filmmaking became that path. In many ways, it wasn’t a departure from our former professions—it was a synthesis. Psychology taught us to listen deeply, journalism taught us to seek truth, and film allowed us to weave both into a living tapestry. The transition wasn’t easy—we had to learn the grammar of cinema from scratch—but the desire to make deep knowledge accessible and emotionally resonant kept us moving forward. Ultimately, whether in therapy, writing, or film, the core task remains the same: to connect, to awaken, and to contribute meaningfully.
Can you share the moment you decided to create “LOOK UP”? What was the driving force behind this project?
LOOK UP didn’t begin with a single lightning-bolt moment; it began as a quiet inevitability. Over the years, we kept returning to the same question: how can humanity awaken to a more cooperative and conscious way of living? Late-night conversations where science, psychology, and spirituality collided made it clear—we were circling a story that needed to be told. At some point, we stopped resisting and surrendered to it. The project unfolded more like a calling than a career move. We’ve said before: we don’t feel like we created LOOK UP—we midwifed it. The story had a will of its own and demanded total dedication. Had we known how challenging it would be, we might have hesitated—but there was no choice. It chose us.
How did your academic background in psychology influence the themes and narratives in “LOOK UP”?
Our psychology background—particularly psychotherapy research—shaped every facet of the film. We approached LOOK UP as a kind of extended therapy session for humanity. Core therapeutic principles—like the importance of group cohesion, narrative identity, and epistemic trust—became central themes. The film draws directly from social and clinical psychology, translating concepts like collective healing, attachment, and mentalization into visual storytelling. We weren’t interested in theory for theory’s sake; we wanted to show how scientific insights feel in lived experience. In many ways, LOOK UP is a psychology textbook disguised as a film—but one that, we hope, touches the soul as much as the intellect.
What challenges did you face while adapting complex scientific concepts into an engaging animated format?
This was one of our greatest creative challenges: how do you visualize “cultural evolution” or “collective consciousness”? Animation became our bridge. It gave us the freedom to move between micro and macro scales—from neural networks to planetary systems—in a matter of seconds. But we weren’t just animating ideas; we were animating meaning. Every abstract concept had to pass through a filter: could it evoke emotional truth? We used symbols, metaphors, and even directed our animators to think like actors—asking, “What is the motivation behind this transformation?” A graph wasn’t just data; it had to become a character with its own arc. It was painstaking, iterative work, but it allowed us to create not just visuals, but experiences.
Your film blends psychotherapy research with cultural wisdom. How do you see these two fields complementing each other?
We see psychotherapy and cultural wisdom as two languages speaking the same truth. The insights of therapy—presence, narrative, healing relationships—echo ancient traditions found in myths, rituals, and spiritual teachings. We deliberately combined scientific rigor with timeless wisdom, citing both peer-reviewed studies and ancestral stories. For instance, therapy teaches mindfulness and non-judgmental awareness; so do Buddhist texts and indigenous councils. One offers tools, the other context. When brought together, they illuminate a fuller picture of human evolution—both personal and collective. In times like ours, we believe both are needed: the science to guide action, the wisdom to restore meaning.
What key message do you hope viewers take away from “LOOK UP”?
The core message is this: our survival and flourishing depend on our ability to evolve together. LOOK UP is a call to lift our gaze—away from division, toward cooperation; away from isolation, toward shared purpose. It’s about realizing that wisdom doesn’t arise in isolation but emerges when we connect meaningfully. Culture, like consciousness, is something we co-create. We hope audiences leave with a sense of agency and responsibility: no one is coming to save us but us. And that’s a hopeful message, because it means change is within reach—if we choose to look up together.
Can you describe your creative process when developing the narrative for “LOOK UP”?
The process was nonlinear, almost archaeological. We collected ideas like fragments—psychology, philosophy, biology, personal stories—and trusted that a greater pattern would emerge. Only later did we see how these pieces formed a coherent whole. Structurally, we treated the film like a “time sculpture,” inspired by Tarkovsky, weaving insights across eras and domains. Our collaboration was central: we often sparked richer insights through daily dialogues. The narrative emerged through a dance of structure and spontaneity, constantly refined through editing. We even used verbatim readings from a scientific manuscript as a narrative spine, building emotional and visual layers around it. By the end, the film felt like an emergent organism—something alive, shaped by intuition and iteration.
How did you select the animation style and visual elements to convey the film’s themes effectively?
We started with ambition and limited resources. Animation offered freedom, but each visual had to do double duty: illustrate an idea and evoke emotion. Our guiding principle was “scientific poetry.” Some sequences use hand-drawn styles for intimacy, others use 3D animation to evoke awe. We were intentional with color, rhythm, and visual metaphors—making sure viewers could feel the weight of an idea before they understood it cognitively. Though we didn’t have a Pixar-level budget, we aimed for Pixar-level clarity and intention. Every frame was crafted to serve both beauty and meaning.
What reactions have you received from audiences, and how do they align with your expectations?
The reactions have been humbling and surprising. Some viewers described the film as “life-changing,” while others needed time to process it—taking long walks after screenings. We’ve received feedback from researchers, therapists, spiritual seekers—all saying the film helped them feel seen. On the flip side, some found it “too dense,” “too poetic,” or “too intellectual”—which we take as confirmation we stayed true to our vision. It’s not a film for everyone, and that’s okay. Our goal was never to entertain passively but to invite deep reflection. And in that, the responses have affirmed that we reached those we were meant to reach.
In what ways do you hope the film encourages viewers to integrate its insights into their daily lives?
We hope LOOK UP becomes part of the viewer’s cognitive and emotional toolkit. Whether it’s reflecting on collaboration, seeking therapy, questioning epistemic trust, or simply starting a meaningful conversation—the film is meant to plant seeds. Integration may look like a parent teaching their child empathy, a scientist rethinking disciplinary silos, or an artist inspired to create. We believe insights become real when they’re shared, discussed, and acted upon. If LOOK UP sparks even a few of those ripples, it’s done its job.
As a filmmaker, what personal growth have you experienced through the process of creating this documentary?
The film demanded more than creativity—it required surrender. We learned to live in uncertainty, to trust the process, and to persist through hardship. It tested our resilience, patience, and partnership. As co-directors and life partners, we had to refine communication, manage stress, and deepen respect. The journey clarified our purpose: to bridge science and story, psychology and culture. It also made us more compassionate—with ourselves and with others. We emerged not just with a film, but with a transformed sense of self.
How has your understanding of cultural evolution and psychotherapy evolved since completing the film?
Profoundly. We began with a conceptual understanding; we ended with a lived one. We now see cultural evolution and psychotherapy as interwoven: both require stories that heal, relationships that restore trust, and systems that support growth. We’ve come to see societies as patients in collective therapy, and healing myths as vital to both individuals and cultures. Our research deepened, our thinking became more nuanced, and our appreciation for storytelling as a tool for transformation solidified. LOOK UP wasn’t just about cultural evolution—it became part of our own.
Are there any future projects or themes you are excited to explore in your upcoming work?
Yes—many. We’re especially drawn to themes at the intersection of technology and consciousness. AI, for instance, raises urgent psychological and cultural questions. We’re also exploring ideas around intergenerational wisdom, conscious parenting, and educational transformation. We may shift to series formats or shorter works that allow thematic depth across multiple episodes. Meanwhile, we’re bringing LOOK UP into educational and community spaces to spark dialogue. The next film is brewing—we’re letting it grow organically, listening for the idea that won’t let us go.
How do you envision the role of documentary films in advancing public understanding of complex psychological concepts?
Documentaries are uniquely suited to translate complexity into lived experience. They build epistemic trust, humanize science, and create safe spaces for emotional learning. Like a therapy session or a lecture wrapped in story, a good documentary can make psychology feel personal, urgent, and universal. In LOOK UP, we aimed to do just that—to normalize the inner world, to inspire reflection, and to invite collective healing. Documentaries can elevate public discourse around mental health the same way Cosmos did for astrophysics or Planet Earth did for ecology. We believe psychological literacy is essential for our collective future, and film can help make it accessible, emotional, and transformative.
What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers who wish to tackle similar interdisciplinary topics in their work?
Stay true to your vision—even when it feels risky. Protect your message from dilution, especially if you’re blending disciplines. Your background outside of film is not a limitation—it’s a lens the world needs. Honor the audience’s intelligence and time. Create with humility, but also with boldness. Be willing to learn what you don’t know, and brave enough to break rules when your intuition demands it. Build a team that shares your mission. And most of all: trust the process. Let the film shape you as much as you shape it. The story you’re telling might just be the one that helps someone else find theirs.