The END

European cinema and film criticism have been declared dead over and over. The European Network for Film Discourse (The END) actively counters this idea. When “The End” appears in classic cinema, it usually marks the start of something new: reflection and discussion about the film. This is precisely what the network stands for.

Founded in 2017 and gradually expanded since, The European Network for Film Discourse now consists of 8 unique and diverse European film festivals—Filmfest Dresden (DE), Vienna Shorts (AT), Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival (PT), Lago Film Fest (IT), Kortfilmfestival Leuven (BE), FeKK Ljubljana Short Film Festival (SI), Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (RO), and Vilnius Short Film Festival (LT)—and is funded by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme. Talking Shorts is the official outlet of the network.

The network’s main purpose is to promote critical film discourse by and for a younger generation and to familiarise new audiences with a flourishing European film landscape. To do so, we distinguish the following objectives:

• to reach out and educate new and existing audiences and promote audiovisual work via profound text publications and other digital content;
• to foster an active community of young and enthusiastic writers for Talking Shorts and to exchange and collaborate on a pan-European level;
• to expand the network’s community by educating its participants on inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

These are the network’s core projects:

Talking Shorts
As a magazine dedicated to short films, Talking Shorts aims to create a wider discourse about this often-overlooked art form. Talking Shorts strives to produce universally readable content that can inspire, cultivate, and educate a broad range of audiences, from students and scholars to non-cinephile readers, in an attempt to connect filmmakers, audiences, festival organisers, and a young generation of film lovers who might not yet know what short films are or can do.

Since 2023, Talking Shorts has been the official outlet of The European Network for Film Discourse (The END). Our work and publications are closely connected to the (European) film festival landscape.

European Workshop for Film Criticism
The END organises two tandem workshops on film criticism each year. Under the guidance of established critics, festival programmers, and filmmakers, six participants gain insight into the craft of film criticism through short films and curated short film programmes. Each workshop leg has a specific focus or targets a specific audience.

The writing process is supervised editorially during the festivals, and a selection of texts is ultimately published on Talking Shorts.

European Workshop for New Curators
The END organises two tandem workshops on film curation each year. Under the guidance of established programmers and curators, six participants gain insight into the craft of festival programming and film curation. The workshop includes theoretical sessions, group discussions, guest lectures, and hands-on curatorial work.

In pairs and throughout the two workshop legs, the participants will curate one short film programme from scratch under an umbrella theme decided by the group. Ultimately, the programmes will be showcased online on This Is Short and presented to industry professionals within the Talking Shorts community for further booking and distribution.

New Critics & New Audiences Award
The participants of the European Workshop for Film Criticism and the European Workshop for New Curators collectively nominate one European film per festival they attend for the New Critics & New Audiences Award, which is annually presented online on Talking Shorts in early February.

This way, eight European short films are made available globally for free for two weeks, presented with an interview with the filmmaker(s). Audiences worldwide are invited to vote for their favourite film. The winner receives a cash prize of €1000,-.