IFFR recognizes the vital importance of film analysis and criticism. Hence, in 1998, it launched the Young Film Critics trainee program to support young and upcoming film critics. IFFR invites a group of young and motivated professional film critics from outside the Netherlands to come to Rotterdam to cover the 2020 festival. It provides them with the means to sharpen their journalistic practice and explore the wide landscape of independent cinema on offer at IFFR, one of the major international film festivals for the press, industry members and audiences.

The program provides a unique insight into a broad range of programmes on offer at the festival, ranging from films by well-known arthouse auteurs to more experimental and obscure cinematic gems and from art installations and performances to talks and film industry conferences.

As a trainee, you are part of the editorial team of the festival. You will have meetings with experienced film critics from different backgrounds, cover the festival for your own journalistic affiliation and be part of IFFR’s editorial staff. Of course, you will also get to experience the full joy of being at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. With the changing media landscape in mind, this year’s program will put special focus on candidates with mixed talents. Besides excellent writing skills, the trainee will gain experience in audiovisual, audio or other innovative modes of journalism.

Fully Funded IFFR Young Film Critics Traineeship

The IFFR trainee successful to participate in the Young Film Critics program will receive fully funded opportunities including:

• Complimentary IFFR 2019 press accreditation
• Budget hotel accommodation in Rotterdam
• A partial refund of travel costs when traveling from outside Europe
• A full schedule. IFFR aims at making trainees fully integral to the festival and lets them participate in the delivery of daily festival outlets. The trainees will form a team, hosted by the IFFR Press Office and the festival editorial staff. Trainees will get to explore all aspects of IFFR  as part of the program while also covering their own media.
• If your participation is successful and you have published reports that meet IFFR’s standards (both in quality and quantity), you get the opportunity to visit the next edition of the festival as an accredited journalist.

Eligibility for the IFFR Young Film Critics Traineeship

Candidates are eligible to participate the Young Film Critics Traineeship if they meet the IFFR’s requirements which include:

• The trainees should be under 30 years of age.
• Fluent command of the English language (written and spoken)
• Further, have demonstrable experience in film criticism (print, video, audio or online media) + storyboard or any creative form of daily reporting
• Addresses the following topics: film review, festival review, Film Industry reports, and trends, arts & culture review, masterclasses and talks review
• However, the trainee should not yet have established enough to profit from privileges such as attending international film festivals outside your country
• Also, the trainee should have made arrangements with relevant print and/or online media to publish reports on International Film Festival Rotterdam 2019.

How to apply for the 2020 Young Film Critics Trainee Program?

Applicants can submit their application via email to the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Along with the application, the applicants will require to attach the following documents (as one PDF):

• CV
• Motivational letter
• Likewise, three examples of your published work (video, audio or written)
• Also, a confirmation letter of your outlet which will publish your work at IFFR 2020
• Information about the outlet (reach, target group, etc.) 

Deadline

IFFR accepts the application for the 2020 Young Film Critics Trainee Program until 1 October 2019. Applications arriving after the deadline are invalid.