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

In the new, revamped version of the programme, unlike the previous one where different participants were selected for each workshop, a total of ten participants will attend multiple workshops within the Animation Festival Network. Between December 2024 and October 2025, each GoCritic! participant will have the opportunity to professionally develop at two or more 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), Fest Anča International Animation Festival (Žilina, Slovakia) and Animest International Animation Film Festival (Bucharest, Romania).

Another round of the workshops will take place in the same manner in 2025 and 2026.

The curriculum will apply a progressive 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.

In addition, this round of workshops will introduce the element of video journalism and criticism, set to take place at Animafest Zagreb alongside the regular writing workshop.

The workshop tutors will include seasoned and acclaimed film journalists and critics, such as Neil Young, Jessica Kiang, Dana Linssen, Pamela Cohn, video journalism tutor Ana Stanić (Head of Video Department at Cineuropa) and GoCritic! Head of Studies Vladan Petković. The workshop sessions will be conducted in English.

The call is now open, the application form along with detailed information is here, and the deadline is set for 21 October 2024. Selected participants will be provided with accommodation, up to 150 euros for travel expenses for each workshop, some meals and drinks, press accreditations, access to all screenings, social and industry events, press conferences and parties.

For any questions, please write to gocritic@cineuropa.org.

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. A selection of the participants' articles will be published on Cineuropa and Zippy Frames and disseminated on the member festival websites as well.