Warsaw Critics Project 2020

Call for applications for the 15th edition of the FIPRESCI Warsaw Critics Project, October 9-18, 2020, at the Warsaw International Film Festival. Deadline: September 15, 2020.

FIPRESCI Warsaw Critics Project is a programme for young critics and journalists from Central and Eastern Europe starting their professional career. The project is coordinated by the Warsaw Film Foundation and FIPRESCI, The International Federation of Film Critics.

The workshop will take place during the 36th edition of the Warsaw Film Festival, October 9-18, 2020.

A group of young film critics will be invited to participate in one of the most prestigious film events in this part of Europe. Participants of the workshop will meet filmmakers and industry representatives from all over the world and will take part in the deliberations of the FIPRESCI jury, during which a decision will be made about the FIPRESCI Jury Prize awarded by the Federation. They will also, as Young FIPRESCI Jury, award a prize to the film of their choice.

The workshop programme provides a practical approach to the work of a journalist at a film festival. Participants will be writing under the guidance of professionals, face the pressure of time, meet with numerous representatives of the industry, learn how to work in a competitive market and how to develop new ways of writing about the cinema. Selected works will be published by portals related to the film industry.

The participants of previous editions of the workshop have cooperated with titles such as: Screen International, Indiewire, The Hollywood Reporter, Cineuropa and Film New Europe.

The Warsaw Critics Project is created and coordinated by British film journalist Amber Wilkinson and Italian critic Tommaso Tocci.

Amber Wilkinson is a journalist with over twenty years of experience. She is co-founder and editor-in-chief of the British portal Eye For Film. Her name has appeared in The Times, Daily Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald and Filmmaker Magazine. She also works as an independent film critic for BBC Radio Scotland. She led workshops for young FIPRESCI critics and was a mentor of film criticism students at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2018 and 2019.

Tommaso Tocci is an author of numerous publications on cinema. As an independent critic, he covers events such as Biennale, Berlinale and Marché du film. His work can be found in titles such as: Indiewire, RogerEbert.com, CinemaScope, Filmkrant and Ioncinema.

The workshop is designed for critics under 30 years old, fluent in English – both, speech and writing. All participants will be provided with transport and accommodation for the duration of the festival.

The workshop is planned as a real event – live in Warsaw. However, the specific circumstances of COVID-19 must be taken into account, and all candidates have to express their willingness to take part in the workshop, even if it is to take place online, without being physically at the festival.

Those willing to take part in the workshop are encouraged to send applications containing: CV, cover letter and three examples of published works.

Submission deadline: September 15th

Contact: fipresci@wff.pl

Warsaw, Poland, August 2020

Published by FIPRESCI