Call for entry: IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics

The International Film Festival Rotterdam Trainee Project for Young Film Critics is calling for entries. It is a program that offers up to six young (under 30 years) professional film critics from outside The Netherlands a chance to travel to cover the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The 41st edition of the festival will be held from January 25-February 5, 2012.

The project that was created in 1998 includes taking part in the Rotterdam FIPRESCI Jury meetings; exploring an assigned part of the festival; publishing a blog on the IFFR website and writing up to three contributions for the festival’s newspaper Daily Tiger.

It also involves taking part in expert meetings and reporting about the festival for own affiliation(s).

Film critics who have fluent command over English, have demonstrable experience in film criticism (printed media, radio/television, online), are yet established enough to profit from facilities as attending international film festivals outside their country, and have agreement(s) with printed and/or online media to publish a report or reports on the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2012 can apply for the program.

The last date for submissions of applications is November 4, 2011.

Trainee program

The program of the Trainee Project includes taking part in the Rotterdam FIPRESCI Jury meetings; exploring an assigned part of the festival; publishing a blog on the IFFR website and writing up to three contributions for the festival's newspaper Daily Tiger; taking part in expert meetings; reporting about the festival for own affiliation(s). The past editions the Rotterdam film festival welcomed trainee film critics from: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, UK and USA.

What to expect:

·         Complimentary IFFR 2012 press accreditation

·         Budget hotel accommodation in Rotterdam from January 26 - February 4, 2012

·         Part of travel costs according to country of origin

·         The IFFR wants its trainee film critics to really participate in the festival. The trainees will form a team, hosted by the IFFR Press Office and supported by the Daily Tiger Editorial Staff. Each trainee will take part in the trainee program. There will however be time to explore all aspects of the International Film Festival Rotterdam - screenings, exhibitions, Q&A sessions, debates.

Criteria for application

·         Age under 30 years

·         Fluent command of the English language (written and spoken)

·         Demonstrable experience in film criticism (printed media, radio/television, online)

·         Not yet established enough to profit from facilities as attending international film festivals outside your country

·         Have agreement(s) with printed and/or online media to publish a report or reports on the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2012

Your application will only be taken in consideration if you match all the above criteria.

How to apply

Your application should include all of the following documents and information:

·         A motivation letter to support your application: explain why this project and the Rotterdam festival appeals to you.

·         Your resume (CV) including your contact details and date of birth.

·         Up to three proofs of recent work you published on (independent) film or film festivals. If not in English, provide English translations to demonstrate your command of this language. If you work for a print medium, send in a complete copy.

·         Information about your affiliation(s): title, name of chief editor, postal address, phone number, email account, periodicity, circulation, web address, estimated unique page views per month.

·         A recommendation letter (on company letterhead) of your principal affiliation’s chief editor assigning you to cover IFFR 2012 and confirming that your IFFR 2012 report will be published.

You may send in your application by mail to press@filmfestivalrotterdam.com or by land mail to IFFR Press Office, PO Box 21696, 3001 AR Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Deadline for applications: November 4, 2011. Applications received after this date risk not to be proceeded. Notification before December 4, 2011.

Please note: if you are selected and participate in the IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics, you agree that your work produced as part of the project may be published by IFFR in print or online in the festival's publications and on the FIPRESCI website.