Homepage August 2025
Film criticism/review is a key element in the film industry’s ecosystem. And in Africa, in particular, it could not be more important. This year, the FIPRESCI supported the Talent Press among the Talents Durban and brought five emerging film critics from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt in a ten weeks online mentoring program.
The Talents were guided by FIPRESCI mentors Domoina Ratsara, Madagascar, and Mohamed Tarek, Egypt.
Read more on the link.
Josef Nagel has written a historical overview for the German online magazine Filmdienst, looking back on the history of FIPRESCI and assessing its current position. Read the English version on our website.
At this year’s Locarno Film Festival, FIPRESCI Jury is represented by international film critics Britt Sørensen (Norway) – president, Sabrina Schwob (Switzerland), Alonso Aguilar (Costa Rica), Savina Petkova (Bulgaria), Alessandro Amato (Italy).
At the official press aperitif of the 78th Locarno Film Festival, our colleague Giona A. Nazzaro, the festival’s artistic director, was joined by FIPRESCI president Ahmed Shawky to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the federation. Nazzaro highlighted the enduring importance of film criticism as a vital tool for supporting emerging talent and defending freedom of expression—an issue that is increasingly urgent in today’s world.
In Memoriam David Stratton. David Stratton, who was President of the FIPRESCI Jury at Cannes twice and Venice once, died on Thursday, 14 August, at a hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney, Australia. He was eighty-five. Read CJ Johnson’s text about the most influential Australian film critic on the link.
Meet us at the next festivals:
- Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland, 6-16 August
- “Beyond Borders” International Documentary Film Festival, Kastellorizo, Greece, 24-31 August
- Venice International Film Festival, Italy, 27 August-6 September
- Toronto International Film Festival, Canada, September 4-14
- CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival, Hungary, 5-13 September
- Drama International Short Film Festival, Greece, 8-14 September
- DMZ Docs, South Korea, 11-17 September