At a time when American teens lag far behind other countries in math and science, WHIZ KIDS is a coming-of-age documentary that tells the story of three remarkably different yet equally passionate 17-year-old scientists who vie to compete in the nation’s oldest, most prestigious science competition. Each year over two thousand students compete in the Intel Science Talent Search for prizes totaling more than $1.5 million. Win or lose, these ‘whiz kids’, who share an insatiable curiosity, a deeply felt determination to communicate their work to the public and a passion to make a difference in the world, raise questions about class, courage, and personal sacrifice, and in the process, learn as much about themselves as they do about science.
Tom Shepard, director and co-producer, was a Science Talent Search finalist in 1987. He has directed and produced documentaries for over 12 years. His film SCOUT’S HONOR won the Audience Award for Best Documentary and Freedom of Expression Award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. SCOUT’S HONOR was broadcast nationally on PBS when it opened POV’s 14th season. In 2006, he co-directed and produced KNOCKING, a film about Jehovah’s Witnesses, which broadcast nationally on the PBS program Independent Lens and has garnered several national awards. He also has produced, directed and edited shorter films for the public television series VOTING IN AMERICA and SPARK.
Previously, Shepard worked as an editor at National Public Radio for Linda Wertheimer. At NPR, he co-produced LISTENING TO AMERICA, an audio documentary on the history of public radio in America. He graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in biology and film. He is currently the Chairman of New Day Films, a progressive film distribution company, and lives in San Francisco where he is researching a new film on openly gay political candidates.