Edinburgh International Film Festival seeks student critics for 2014

Edinburgh International Film Festival search for the next generation of film critics

Article by News Team | 04 Apr 2014

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (18-29 June) is the highlight of the city's calendar for filmmakers and cinemagoers, with opportunities to attend gala premieres of new films from around the world; attend talks, special screenings and events; network with filmmakers, critics and fans; and to take a look at the films everyone's bound to be talking about for the following twelve months. Last year's festival was one of the most ambitious yet, with 146 features from 53 countries, including 14 world premieres, 6 international premieres and 10 European premieres.

Now, EIFF are looking to recruit the next generation of film critics, inviting students to apply to become a part of their Student Critics Jury this June. Initiated in 2012, the Student Critics Jury gives aspiring film critics the chance to experience contemporary world cinema and expand their knowledge, develop their writing skills, and to present the Student Critics Jury Award at the EIFF Awards Ceremony. Successful applicants will be mentored by professional critics Nick James (Editor, Sight & Sound), Kate Taylor (Exhibition and Distribution Officer, Independent Cinema Office) and Gabe Klinger (writer, film programmer and filmmaker).

Students from higher and further education institutions in Scotland are invited to apply by submitting a 500-word essay by 12 May on the subject of any recent or classic film, with the organisers asking aspiring critics to showcase their writing skills, and demonstrate a "passion for and knowledge of cinema". The jurors will view films from various strands of the EIFF 2014 programme and complete reading assignments and reviews of films; ultimately determining the recipient of the Student Critics Jury Award. The seven applicants selected to take part will attend the festival in July with their accommodation and travel expenses covered by EIFF.

"At a time when the role of the film critic and the nature of film criticism are in flux, it’s essential that film festivals affirm the value of informed and intelligent appreciation of films," says Chris Fujiwara, the EIFF's Artistic Director. "Our Student Critics Jury programme is intended to do just that."

Last year's Student Critics Jury was comprised of Vivek Santayana, Catarina Mourao, Ruth Swift-Wood, Rebecca Bowen, Kathryn Craigmyle, Lewis Camley and Phil Kennedy. They gave their Award to the film Celestial Wives of the Meadow Mari, directed by Alexey Fedorchenko, calling it: "A light-hearted, perceptive and beautiful celebration of fading mythologies."

Applications open on 14 April – visit the Edinburgh International Film Festival website for more details. To check out The Skinny's coverage of EIFF 2013, visit our Film section.

The 68th Edinburgh International Film Festival takes place 18-29 June

http://edfilmfest.org.uk/news/2014/04/eiff-student-critics-2014