The International Film Festival Rotterdam welcomes applications for the 13th IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics taking place during its 40th edition (January 26 - February 6, 2011).
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INTRODUCTION
The International Film Festival Rotterdam supports film making, film producing and journalistic talent on several levels: the main festival section'Bright Future' (including competitions for feature length and short films) presents recent works by first and second time filmmakers; Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund contributes to film projects in developing countries and CineMart organizes a talent development project for young film producers (Rotterdam Lab) in close collaboration with its partner organizations. Recognizing the important role of film criticism to the perception of independent cinema, the Rotterdam film festival organizes a trainee project for young film critics.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics is a talent development program that offers up to six young (under 30 years), motivated and talented professional film critics from outside The Netherlands a chance to travel abroad for covering a major international film festival, to get acquainted with the Rotterdam film festival in particular and the broad range of independent cinema it offers.

The project was created in 1998 motivated by the fact that young and upcoming film critics get less opportunities to explore and sharpen their knowledge and views on independent and experimental cinema - and the festivals, like the International Film Festival Rotterdam, that present it.

TRAINEE PROGRAM
The program of the Trainee Project includes taking part in the Rotterdam FIPRESCI Jury meetings; exploring an assigned part of the festival; publishing a blog on the IFFR website and writing up to three contributions for the festival's newspaper Daily Tiger; taking part in expert meetings; reporting about the festival for own affiliation(s).

The past editions the Rotterdam film festival welcomed trainee film critics from:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, UK and USA.

WHAT TO EXPECT
- Complimentary IFFR 2011 press accreditation
- Budget hotel accommodation in Rotterdam from January 27 - February 5, 2011
- Part of travel costs according to country of origin
- The IFFR wants its trainee film critics to really participate in the festival. The trainees will form a team, hosted by the IFFR Press Office and supported by the Daily Tiger Editorial Staff. Each trainee will take part in the trainee program. There will however be time to explore all aspects of the International Film Festival Rotterdam - screenings, exhibitions, Q&A sessions, debates.

CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION
- Age under 30 years
- Fluent command of the English language (written and spoken)
- Demonstrable experience in film criticism (printed media, radio/television, online)
- Not yet established enough to profit from facilities as attending international film festivals outside your country
- Have agreement(s) with printed and/or online media to publish a report or reports on the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2011

Your application will only be taken in consideration if you match all the above criteria.

HOW TO APPLY
Your application should include all of the following documents and information:
- A motivation letter to support your application: explain why this project and the Rotterdam festival appeals to you.
- Your resume (CV) including your contact details and date of birth.
- Up to three proofs of recent work you published on (independent) film or film festivals. If not in English, provide English translations to demonstrate your command of this language. If you work for a print medium, send in a complete copy.
- Information about your affiliation(s): title, name of chief editor, postal address, phone number, email account, periodicity, circulation, web address, estimated unique page views per month.
- A recommendation letter (on company letterhead) of your principal affiliation's chief editor assigning you to cover IFFR 2010 and confirming that your IFFR 2011 report will be published.

You may send in your application:
- by mail to press@filmfestivalrotterdam.com
- or by land mail to IFFR Press Office, PO Box 21696, 3001 AR Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Deadline for applications: Friday November 5, 2010.
Applications received after this date risk not to be proceeded. Notification before Dec 4, 2010.

Please note: if you are selected and participate in the IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics, you agree that your work produced as part the project may be published by IFFR in print or online in the festival's publications and on the FIPRESCI website.