European Workshop for Film Criticism #9
The European Network for Film Discourse (The END) and short film magazine Talking Shorts are organising the 9th European Workshop for Film Criticism, a two-part intensive programme for emerging film critics. The workshop will unfold during Filmfest Dresden (Germany, April 2026) and Vienna Shorts (Austria, May 2026).
This year’s edition centers on podcasting as a vibrant medium for film criticism, led by Susanne Braun and Yugen Yah, the creators of Indiefilmtalk. Over two immersive weeks, participants will delve into film critique, festival coverage, and industry-specific discussions, while also gaining hands-on technical expertise—from recording and editing to producing a polished final podcast. By the end of the programme, each of the six participants will have developed and completed their own original podcast episode.
The workshop kicks off with a joint digital onboarding session ahead of the Dresden week, followed by four workshop days in each city, complemented by extensive film screenings at both festivals to inspire and inform the critical work. To ensure continuous support, two digital sessions will be held between the two festival weeks. Throughout the process, participants receive one-on-one editorial guidance from the tutors and guest mentors, with a selection of the finished podcasts featured on Talking Shorts.
All sessions will be conducted in English.
Tutor Duo
Susanne Braun is a moderator, workshop designer, and expert in participatory formats that foster open dialogue and collaboration. With a focus on transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth, she supports teams in communicating authentically and building meaningful connections. Since 2018, she has co-hosted Indiefilmtalk, a podcast that dives into the learnings and challenges of independent filmmakers, creating a space for genuine exchange within the film community.
Yugen Yah is a Berlin-based filmmaker and podcast producer who crafts compelling stories across audio and visual media. In 2017, he launched Indiefilmtalk, a platform for exploring the creative processes and insights of emerging filmmakers. Beyond producing and co-hosting the podcast, Yugen leads workshops and advises on the development of innovative podcast formats, bridging the gap between storytelling and industry practice.
Together, they bring a wealth of experience in facilitating creative dialogue, podcast production, and film criticism, guiding participants through both the conceptual and technical aspects of crafting their own podcasts.
Application
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:
12—19.04.2026
Workshop at Film Fest Dresden (Germany)
26—31.05.2026
Workshop at Vienna Shorts (Austria)
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 entirely, i.e., participate in both units of the tandem workshop in Dresden and Vienna
The call is open from February 2 to March 3, 2026.
The results will be communicated by March 11, 2026.