The Curtas Vila do Conde - International Film Festival will feature a session dedicated to the 7th edition of the European Workshop for Film Criticism. This initiative is designed to provide valuable training in the film industry for aspiring film critics across Europe. The workshop will consist of two one-week sessions, allowing participants to enhance their skills and knowledge in film criticism.

Dates and Locations
· July 13th – 19th, 2025: Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival, Vila do Conde, Portugal
· August 17th – 24th, 2025: FeKK – Ljubljana Short Film Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Workshop Content

Participants will explore short film criticism and festival coverage in various formats, both written and audiovisual. In Vila do Conde, the focus will be on techniques for conducting and writing interviews, allowing participants to interact with filmmakers attending the festival. They will also receive guidance in creating video essays, which will be completed at the session in Ljubljana. In this second stage, the emphasis shifts to more discursive and essayistic coverage, such as correspondence and festival reports.

Mentorship

The workshop will be led by Leonardo Goi, a film critic and editor who contributes to publications such as MUBI Notebook, Senses of Cinema, The Film Stage, Reverse Shot, Film Comment, and Filmmaker Magazine. Goi also coordinates Berlinale Talent Press and the Critics Campus at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia.

Applications

The workshop is open to European residents aged 18 and over who are interested in journalism and film criticism, with proficiency in English and full availability to attend both sessions.

· Application period: March 12th – April 11th, 2025

· Results announced by: April 18th, 2025

Costs and Benefits

· Participation fee: €150.

· The host festivals provide accommodation in Vila do Conde and Ljubljana.

· Partial travel reimbursement (up to €150 per festival).

· Meals during the workshop and full festival accreditation granting access to all screenings and events.

For more information, please read the complete regulations or visit the official workshop website at talkingshorts.com. To submit your application, fill out the following form.