Applications are sought from emerging and early-career critics with no more than two years’ professional experience writing about film. They should be available to attend MIFF and participate in the program from Monday 11 to Friday 15 August 2025 (dates inclusive). Accommodation in Melbourne as well as return flights will be provided for interstate participants.

Please note that applications are open to Australian residents only.

Applicants are asked to provide:

• A one-page resume covering relevant studies and/or professional experience and a list of any published writing and criticism (with links where relevant).
• Three work samples:
  • a 500-word review of a new or recent film currently in theatrical or streaming release
  • an 800- to 1000-word piece that may take the form of a feature, interview, film review or other piece of critical writing
  • a piece of the applicant’s choice that they feel best demonstrates their capabilities. This may take the form of a feature, review, video essay, podcast (5- to 10-minute excerpt) or other form that demonstrates critical engagement and ability.

Applicants are welcome to submit either samples that have been previously published or new pieces written specifically for the application. University essays are allowed but generally not encouraged. Previously unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in 2025.

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 19 May 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 26 May 2025.

Apply now

All Critics Campus enquiries should be directed to critics@miff.com.au.

Some of our past Critics Campus mentors have included Beatrice Loayza, K. Austin Collins, Guy Lodge, Alison Willmore, Jessica Kiang, Jonathan Romney, Phoebe Chen, Simran Hans, Eric Hynes, Kelli Weston, Michael Koresky, Annabel Brady-Brown, Violet Lucca, Ela Bittencourt, Jourdain Searles, Daniel Kasman, Jason Di Rosso, Philippa Hawker, Michael Sun, Keva York, Isabella Trimboli, Craig Matheson, Cher Tan, Adrian Martin and Jonathan Rosenbaum.

International guest speakers have included Justin Chang, Angelica Jade Bastién, Dennis Lim, Ashley Clark, Melissa Anderson, Devika Girish, Kelley Dong, Nick Pinkerton, Chloe Lizotte, Charlie Shackleton, Zia Anger, Shaad D’Souza, E. Alex Jung, Hunter Harris and many more.

Since participating in Critics Campus, our alumni have gone on to write for Film Comment, The Guardian, Hollywood Reporter, The Nation, The Saturday Paper, MUBI Notebook, Sight & Sound, the ABC and more – plus work as screenwriters, producers, culture critics and film programmers.

“Critics Campus was a fantastic experience that introduced me to a wealth of knowledge within the big, scary world of criticism … I'm incredibly grateful for the people who've helped rekindle my passion for writing!”
– Nicole Cadelina, 2024 alumna

“I feel very lucky to have something like this available to me on my doorstep. It exceeded my expectations, and I've come away feeling sharpened and inspired.”
– Austin Lancaster, 2024 alumnus

“I feel like I got so much meaningful insight out of the panels and working with my mentor. Critics Campus has also already brought about opportunities that I never would have expected and given me a sense of the next steps I want to take, which is really invaluable.”
– Grace Boschetti, 2024 alumna

“A precious and rare opportunity to be fully immersed in the world of film criticism. While my mentor gave me such invaluable guidance, it was also incredible to connect and collaborate with my cohort: writers who continue to inspire and enliven my approaches to life and art today.”
– Indigo Bailey, 2023 alumna

“An unforgettable experience. The most valuable thing I gained from the program was undoubtedly the relationships I was able to build … These connections helped me not only become a better critic, but also a more confident one too, knowing that I now had a network of fellow writers to support my work.”
– Kevin Bui, 2023 alumnus

““Critics Campus helped me regain my confidence as a writer and opened me up to new possibilities for both my writing practice and also for my career at large. I feel very grateful to have met talented, experienced critics who gave me such helpful lifelong advice. Now I know: strong vibes + strong inquiry = great criticism.”
– Lamya Nawar, 2022 alumna

“As a participant in 2019, Critics Campus imparted invaluable knowledge about the craft of writing and the (often precarious) industry. As a mentor in 2021, I was glad to soak up the wisdom of a new cohort of talents!”
– Michael Sun, 2021 mentor and 2019 alumnus

“Having been a mentee in 2016, I was thrilled to return to Critics Campus in 2021 – this time as a mentor. I still draw on those lessons I learned about criticism and craft almost six years ago, so the chance to share them with my own mentee was deeply fulfilling, both professionally and personally.”
– Aimee Knight, 2021 mentor and 2016 alumna

“I’m so grateful for the experience – it’s been pretty unique and I feel like I’ve gotten a lot out of it. It’s been great hearing from professional critics, especially other critics who are queer and people of colour.”
– Merryana Salem, 2020 alumna

“Critics Campus was such an invaluable and formative experience for me. The program was such an encouraging, enriching experience that has no doubt shaped my writing for the better.”
– Isabella Trimboli, 2022 mentor and 2019 alumna

“Critics Campus was one of the best, most wonderful experiences of my short life. It opened my mind and writing up to possibilities I never imagined, and completely re-envisioned the way I see, read and approach criticism.”
– Debbie Zhou, 2018 alumna

“I had a fantastic week and can’t believe this program even exists. Guy [Lodge] was the most wonderful mentor and completely changed how I thought about film writing. Critics Campus was one of the best things I’ve done.”
– Phoebe Chen, 2017 alumna