The 53rd annual New York Film Festival is holding their fourth annual NYFF critics academy.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Film Comment magazine, and Indiewire are now accepting applications for the 2015 New York Film Festival Critics Academy, a workshop for aspiring New York–based film critics that takes place during the festival (September 25 – October 11).
The Critics Academy is an initiative by the Film Society, Film Comment, and Indiewire to help aspiring film critics with the process of kickstarting their careers—was first launched at the 2012 Locarno Film Festival, and a local version was then produced that fall during the 2012 New York Film Festival. Later this month, the finalists will be announced for the next Locarno Critics Academy, whose participants will cover the 68th edition of the festival from August 5 – 15.
The fourth edition of the New York–based Critics Academy is scheduled to coincide with the upcoming NYFF, and will begin accepting applications today. Details for applicants can be found below.
For this year’s NYFF, six participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide variety of international cinema while dealing with the practical challenges of covering a festival at the epicenter of New York’s film culture. The participants will cover the festival with reviews of films in the selection, articles on sidebar events, in-depth reflections on the various program sections, or interviews with the festival’s guests.
“Speakers, panels, and films were all at our fingertips and it was left completely up to the me to seize the opportunities and turn them into what Eric Kohn dubbed ‘currency’ in today’s marketplace,” recalled Amanda Yam, a participant of last year’s NYFF Critics Academy who now writes for Ioncinema. “I left the experience exhilarated, exhausted, and with a sense of validation that is hard to come by in a constantly changing and, at times, inscrutable world of film commentary.”
The application process begins today; the deadline is Friday, July 31.
Accepted critics will be notified by August 10. Emphasis will be placed on a diversity of voices, backgrounds, and cinematic interests.
Requirements:
 Applicants must have completed a minimum of three years of undergraduate study or have no more than two years of experience creating critical and/or journalistic content about movies. They must demonstrate an interest in film criticism and/or film journalism as well as the ability to speak and write fluently in English. They must also live in New York City or the greater New York area.
Applications must include the following:
•   CV: A basic one-page résumé
•   Five writing samples about film. These can take the form of film reviews, scholarly papers, blog posts, college newspaper clips, podcasts, or any other work that you think demonstrates your skills.
•   A 500-word statement of intent. Tell us about your background and why you would make an ideal candidate for the Critics Academy. Make sure to note any particular interests (genres, national cinemas, etc.). Passion, strong writing skills, and a deep knowledge of film history matter more than overall professional experience.
Please send applications to: [email protected].
For more details visit filmlinc.com
