Submissions Accepted through October 31
Los Angeles, CA — Sundance Institute and Indiewire are accepting entries through October 31 for the Indiewire | Sundance Institute Fellowship for Film Criticism. Six fellows will receive a grant for expenses and other support to attend and cover the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. This is the first year of the initiative at the Sundance Film Festival. Funds will come from Sundance Institute’s Roger Ebert Scholarship for Film Criticism, in memory of the late beloved and renowned film critic.
The Fellowship allows aspiring critics the opportunity to navigate the fast-paced, deadline-driven environment of film festivals. In addition to attending screenings, pitching stories, and writing coverage to be published on Indiewire’s Criticwire blog and other outlets they arrange on their own, they will participate in a series of workshops to meet with professional film critics and other members of the industry including distributors, agents, publicists and festival programmers. Fellows will emerge with a deeper awareness of the practical challenges involved in gaining a foothold in entertainment journalism while navigating the specific demands of the film world.
Applicants must have completed a minimum of three years of undergraduate study or no more than two years of experience creating critical and/or journalistic content about movies. They must showcase a demonstrable interest in film criticism and/or film journalism as well as the ability to speak and write fluently in English. Emphasis will be placed on a diversity of voices, backgrounds and cinematic interests.
Applications must include:
- A one-page resume
- Three writing samples about film, including film reviews, blog posts, college newspaper clips, podcasts or any other work that demonstrates the applicant’s skills. Academic papers are allowed but not encouraged.
- A 300-word statement of intent, explaining the applicant’s background and why they would make an ideal candidate for the Fellowship. Applicants should note any particular interests (genres, national cinemas, etc.). Passion, strong writing skills and a deep knowledge of film history matter more than overall professional experience.
Applications must be sent to FilmCriticFellowship@gmail.com by October 31.
Sundance Institute
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
