Japanese

Yamagata Film Criticism Workshop

Call for Applications: YIDFF 2025 Film Criticism Workshop

[Period]
October 10 (Fri) –14 (Tue)
[Purpose]
This workshop is for people who wish to gain intensive experience in writing about documentary films in the lively atmosphere of an international film festival. Participants will attend Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2025 and write articles about films in the program.
[Overview]
This workshop will focus on ways to think about and write about documentary films. Under the guidance of their mentors, participants will watch and discuss films in the YIDFF 2025 program, write articles, receive and give feedback, and prepare their work for publication on the official festival blog “DOCU-YAMA LIVE!.”

In the workshop, we will explore such questions as: What makes film criticism effective? How important is evaluation in criticism? How should critics address the political, social, and ethical issues raised by documentary films?

The workshop is limited to four participants. Of these, two participants from Southeast Asian countries will be eligible to have their travel and accommodation costs covered. Two other participants will be invited to participate at their own expense. All participants will receive accreditation for free access to festival screenings and events.

[To apply for the workshop, you must]
  1. Be able to participate in the film festival for five days, from October 10 to 14.
  2. Be willing to take part in discussions in English.
  3. Be willing to write articles in English to be published by YIDFF during the workshop.
[To apply]
Send an email including the information and materials requested below to <niiya@tokyo.yidff.jp> no later than Friday, August 15. In the subject line of the email, write “Yamagata Film Criticism Workshop.”
  1. Name
  2. Age
  3. Address
  4. Phone number
  5. Email address
  6. Self-introduction (education and employment history, with emphasis on your writing experience and your involvement with cinema)
  7. Sample of writing on film
[Result Notification]
Applicants will be notified of the result of their application by Wednesday, August 20.
[Mentor]
Chris Fujiwara is a film critic and progammer. He has written and edited several books on cinema, has contributed to many anthologies and journals, and was the editor of Undercurrent, the film criticism magazine of FIPRESCI. He has lectured widely on film criticism, film history, and film programming. Formerly artistic director of Edinburgh International Film Festival, he has also developed film programs for many other institutions. He has organized or served as a mentor for film criticism and film programming workshops at Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, the Berlinale, Singapore International Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, the Japan Foundation Asia Center, and other institutions.
[Inquiries]
Send an email to <niiya@tokyo.yidff.jp>