GoCritic!, the training programme for emerging film journalists and critics, is continuing with its collaboration with AFN - Animation Festival Network, in partnership with Cineuropa and Zippy Frames. The scheme is co-financed by the Creative Europe - MEDIA programme of the European Union.

A total of ten participants will attend multiple workshops within the Animation Festival Network. Between December 2026 and July 2027, each GoCritic! participant will have the opportunity to professionally develop at two of the following festivals: Animateka International Animated Film Festival (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Anifilm International Festival of Animated Films (Liberec, Czech Republic), World Festival of Animated Film - Animafest Zagreb (Croatia) and Fest Anča International Animation Festival (Žilina, Slovakia). The participants' articles and videos will be published on Cineuropa and Zippy Frames.

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The curriculum applies a cumulative approach, meaning that each participant's progress will be closely evaluated in order to best address their professional needs, skills and interests, with attention paid to both their strengths and weak points. The goal is to systematically cover all aspects of film journalism and criticism so that participants emerge from the workshops with wide-ranging knowledge, improved skills and increased professional opportunities. The workshops will include video journalism and criticism, set to take place at Animateka and Animafest Zagreb alongside the regular writing workshop.

The novelty in this round is that the same group of participants will be selected to exclusively take part in the video component of the workshops at Animateka and Animafest Zagreb. From the team’s experience during previous years, in order to properly work on preparation, filming, editing and publishing, a more extensive and detailed approach is needed, which necessitates a greater number of sessions and more time to be dedicated to the work. Participants in both festivals will be tutored by Ana Stanić, head of Video Department at Cineuropa.

In addition to Stanić, the workshops will be led by seasoned and acclaimed film journalists and critics, such as Neil Young, Jessica Kiang, Dana Linssen, Carmen Gray and GoCritic! head of studies Vladan Petković. The workshop sessions will be conducted in English.

The call is now open, and the application form along with detailed information is here. The application deadline is set for 22 October 2026. Selected participants will be provided with accommodation, up to €150 for travel expenses for each workshop, meals and drinks, press accreditations, and access to all screenings, social and industry events, press conferences and parties. 

In order to ensure attendance, participants will be required to pay a €75 refundable deposit one month before the start of each workshop.

For any questions, please write to [email protected].

GoCritic! aims to train a new generation of writers and creators producing content about cinema on an international level. The main objective is to improve their skills through practical work, honing their ability to interpret and critique films, work hands-on with an experienced editor, follow an industry-standard publishing process and grow their network.