Open Call: FIPRESCI Subgroup on Health, Sustainability, and Film Criticism

Dear individual members and members of our national sections,

As the film industry continues to transform, so too do the working conditions and responsibilities of film critics. Increased travel, compressed deadlines, the need to process vast amounts of content, shrinking cultural space in media, declining fees, and growing political and institutional pressures are now part of the professional reality for many journalists. These conditions raise important questions about sustainability, health, and long-term professional well-being within film criticism.

In response to these challenges, the FIPRESCI Board proposes the creation of an informal subgroup dedicated to issues of medicine, mental and physical health, and the sustainability of critical practice, both within the film industry and as reflected through cinema itself. This initiative aims to open a space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective reflection on how critics can engage with their profession in a more sustainable, ethical, and resilient way.

Looking ahead to 2026, FIPRESCI intends to explore partnerships with festivals, institutions, and initiatives that address questions of health, care, and sustainability in relation to cinema. The subgroup would support these efforts by contributing expertise, participating in discussions, and helping develop activities such as workshops, seminars, masterclasses, and research projects focused on health-related themes in film and film criticism.

Expected activities of the subgroup

Members of the subgroup may be involved in:

• Advising the Board on health- and sustainability-related initiatives
• Participating in or moderating panels, workshops, and seminars
• Contributing to research, publications, or thematic discussions
• Supporting partnerships with festivals or organizations addressing health, care, or sustainability
• Exploring how cinema represents medicine, mental health, physical wellbeing, ecological responsibility, and labor conditions in the industry

The subgroup is conceived as a flexible, consultative, and collaborative network, rather than a formal structure.

Who is invited to join

FIPRESCI invites expressions of interest from members who:

• Have a background or education in medicine, psychology, healthcare, or related fields
• Work with or teach mindfulness, mental health support, or well-being practices
• Are engaged in sustainability, ecological, or ethical initiatives within the cultural sector
• Specialize in dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution, or care-oriented cultural practices
• Research or write about health, illness, labor, or sustainability as reflected in cinema

We also warmly welcome members who may not yet have formal expertise but strongly resonate with these challenges and wish to learn, contribute, and engage through future workshops, discussions, and collaborative projects.

How to apply

Interested members are invited to contact Elena Rubashevska at lena@fipresci.org with a brief note outlining their background, interests, and motivation for joining the subgroup. The contact person will compile a list of participants and serve as a liaison as the initiative develops.

© FIPRESCI 2025