European Workshop for Film Criticism #6

The European Network for Film Discourse (The END) and short film magazine Talking Shorts are organising the 6th edition of the European Workshop for Film Criticism: two week-long workshop sessions for aspiring film critics set during film festivals in Leuven, Belgium (Leuven International Short Film Festival, December 2024) and Vilnius, Lithuania (Vilnius Short Film Festival, January 2025).

Both workshop units will explore different forms of written film criticism. In Leuven, participants will work on the fundamentals of writing a film review, strengthening their skills through individual exercises and group discussions. In Vilnius, the focus will be on essayistic, long-form texts. In addition to group sessions covering different review formats, essayistic writing possibilities, language, and style, participants will receive 1:1 editorial guidance from the workshop’s tutor and guest mentors. A selection of the texts they craft will be published on Talking Shorts.

Savina Petkova will be the principal tutor of this workshop. Savina is a Bulgarian film critic and programmer based in London with a PhD in Film Studies. As a critic and journalist, she has been writing for Variety, Sight and Sound, MUBI Notebook and Little White Lies. Savina is also an editor for Talking Shorts, a staff writer for Locarno’s daily publication, and a programmer.

The workshop is aimed at anyone over 18 who is interested in critical and discursive work about (short) films and can participate in both units of the tandem workshop:

03.12—08.12.2024
Workshop at Leuven International Short Film Festival

15.01—20.01.2025
Workshop at Vilnius Short Film Festival

The application is available for European residents who:

• are over the age of 18;
• have a strong interest and motivation to gain insight into journalistic and criticism practices;
• are eager to learn/be mentored by industry professionals;
• are proficient in English (speaking and writing);
• can attend the programme fully, i.e. participate in both units of the tandem workshop in Leuven and Vilnius.

Please read the regulations carefully before applying!

Applications are NOW CLOSED.