DEADLINE: 17.2.2025

At the start of their careers, film critics often compete to find their unique, recognisable voice, analyzing films that have already been embraced or dismissed by audiences and critics. Their task is to either upholdor challenge the prevailing view in a more rhetorically polished way.

As a participant, you will be provided with unique chance to:

  • Engage in in-depth analysis of student films.
  • Collaborate with peers from other schools.
  • Publish best texts on AGRFT’s website or in the Slovenian film journal KINO!

Each day after the screenings, discussions and writing workshops will provide students with the opportunity to not only analyze and discuss films created by their filmmaking peers but also to interact with and build connections with future colleagues from other participating schools during Visegrad Film Forum 2025.

WHAT? WHEN? WHERE?*
Venue: The Film and Television Faculty is part of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava
Program:

  • 19 March: Introduction and orientation. Participants will meet the AGRFT crew and receive an overview of different styles of film texts, including essays, short reviews, impressions, and interviews. Writing methods and guidelines will also be discussed.
  • 20-22 March: Screenings of student films followed by active Q&A sessions with the film crew. Workshops will focus on group discussions and text development, supported by mentors. Participants will explore themes and ideas through dialogue and receive feedback during every stage, from work-in-progress to the final draft.

Since you will be partaking in VFF, you will also need to get yourself the Cinepass for the event:  BUY CINEPASS HERE

* If you don’t live in Bratislava, we recommend you to arrive 18 and depart 23 of March. If you need support with finding the accommodation, you can let us know on: tereza.kravecova@visegradfilmforum.com

A writing space at the Film and Television Faculty in Bratislava will be available, allowing participants to work at their own pace and balance writing with VFF activities like masterclasses. Join us in creating a supportive, enriching environment for the next generation of film critics!

ABOUT THE MENTOR

Maja Krajnc, odgovorna urednica revije Kino! | FSF2017_KAT64… | Festival slovenskega filma Portorož | Flickr
Maja Krajnc
(PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Film and Television at AGRFT and Editor-in-Chief of the journal KINO! She holds a doctorate in Aesthetics and Ideology of Yugoslav New and Black Film and has published widely, co-editing and translating key works on cinema, including Disintegration in Frames (2011) and Abbas Kiarostami (2021). As a founder of the Society for the Dissemination of Film Culture KINO!, she has led the Sharpening the Gaze film education program since 2013, designing and conducting workshops on film criticism. She also coordinated the European educational project Understanding Film (2017–2021) and contributed to the Slovenian Cinematheque’s publishing and research efforts.

The whole workshop will be lead in English. But don’t stress yourself out about writing in other than your native language! Just come and learn, develop your style and network with lots of people with similar interests!

INTERESTED? FILL OUT OUR FORM!