CinemaBravo

In yet another first for its 11th edition, the QCinema International Film Festival embarks on its initiative to launch QCinema Critics Lab.

The festival is extending a heartfelt invitation to six emerging film critics, welcoming them to partake in the inaugural edition of Critics Lab. This is designed to cultivate and bolster a fresh cohort of film critics, poised to make substantial contributions to the dialogue surrounding Southeast Asian cinema, most especially in the Philippine movie landscape. The application process is now open. All entries must be submitted by Sept 15, 2023.

Under the guidance of established writers, journalists, film scholars, curators, and film professionals, QCinema’s Critics Lab will be a space to expand and deepen the current practice of film criticism towards alternative forms and ways of critiquing.

The selection process involves an open call for candidates from various disciplines. Youtubers, Instagram or Facebook Reel creators, Tiktokers, podcasters, film bloggers, and film journalists with a genuine zeal for the art of critique are welcome to join.  

Application forms are now available on QCinema’s social media accounts (@qcinemaph on Facebook, Instagram, and X / Twitter).  Aside from the application form, interested young critics must submit a letter of recommendation from prior employer or professor, a review of any format of the Filipino short films Quadrilaterals by Martika Ramirez Escobar, Juan Gapang by Roxlee, and Si Astri maka si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez, and links to previously published critical output on film written or produced like video essay, podcast, or short-form video.

The QCinema Critics Lab will be held onsite in Quezon City from November 17-20.

The young critics will watch for free QCinema entries, attend briefings with film, publishing, and media professionals to enlighten them about the landscape of filmmaking and film criticism in and out of the country, and get professional guidance from these experts.

.At the end of the lab, QCinema will be awarding two critics the Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc Award for Film Criticism for the promising work created during the lab

QCinema will shoulder all necessary expenses including accommodations, travel allowance, and per diem.

For inquiries, email media@qcinema.ph.