Webinars: Asian cinema - how to talk and write about it?

Do journalist skills come in handy while organizing a film festival? How to avoid boring, stereotypical questions while interviewing a filmmaker? How to introduce a film without giving away its ending? How to write effective press releases and work with the media? How to create promotional texts and manage social media content? What do you need to know to put together an exciting video essay and record an inspiring podcast?

These are just some of the topics that will be raised during the Asian Cinema Education International Course in Film Journalism and Criticism, the first open online course of the kind. Its creators believe that it will invite its participants on a fascinating journey, inspiring them to continue their professional popularization of Asian cinema, which is still not receiving enough attention worldwide.

The course consists of 40 webinars, divided into three thematic parts. Part one is devoted to the analysis and interpretation of Asian films and longer written forms. Part two focuses on journalistic skills needed while working for a film festival. Part three is a fascinating journey in time, the history of film journalism on Asian cinema.

Courses

Film Criticism – Long Written Forms

Film Analysis, Essay and Review

There is a number of different aspects to film analysis and many forms of film criticism. Being a critic does not necessarily mean criticizing. It is all about connecting the dots: the cultural contexts, production background and contexts, or the author’s biography.

The course addresses film criticism from a variety of different perspectives, ranging from visual style, film style, production values, script reading, narrative or character perspectives, to political or socio-economic contexts. Participating in fifteen expert webinars is a unique chance to learn how to analyze and talk about a film without imposing a subjective interpretation, instead of providing the readers with tools allowing them to discover meanings on their own. It is also a collection of practical tips for aspiring film critics, from the structure of the text to pro tips on how to deal with a potential publisher. Active involvement in the course gives you the opportunity to consult your work and ideas with experienced critics and film festival organizers, ask your burning questions, and meet passionate Asian film lovers from around the world!

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Festival Skills – Short Written and Non Written Forms

Communication and Audience Development

Festivals play an important role in the life cycle of a film but are equally important for film critics. New talents find an audience there, like-minded people from different places meet. Not only is it a place for film critics and journalists to broaden their horizons, but they often also work for festivals, e.g. with the press office or as editors.

The course focuses on a number of different aspects related to both these sides. We look at how to conduct interviews, how to cover a festival, the challenges of online film criticism. But as festivals can be a daunting place, especially on a first visit, we also go into the practical side of things. While working at a festival, the tasks that journalists take up can be very varied, from writing press releases, promotional texts, or texts for the website to introducing films and even making video essays. The course explores all these in detail and teaches how to find one’s audience both as a film critic and as the festival itself.

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Journalism on Asian Cinema

Its history and contemporary challenges

The basic premise is to chart the evolution of both Asian cinema and critical appraisal of Asian cinema, looking at the films and the people who have taken Asian cinema to the world – and digging into how they have done so. The end result should provide attendees with both a solid grounding in the history of Asian cinema and the foundations needed to critically appraise Asian cinema. The course is hosted by Mathew Scott, Asia-based writer and editor, who initiated the Far East Film Festival Campus for young journalists in Udine, Italy, an educational programme and cultural exchange which each year hosts aspiring writers from Asia and from Europe.

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Important information

Who can participate in the courses?

The course is open to everyone interested in talking and writing about Asian cinema – future film journalists, bloggers, critics, members of selection committees, festival organizers, and Asian cinema enthusiasts. We invite people of all  ages who want to develop their interests, gain new skills and get to know Asian cinema.

Registration

At the moment you can watch all the webinars without registering.

In 2021 to actively participate in the course, you had to fill in the registration form with the necessary data and write a short comment on a film of your choice. The registration deadlines were as follows:

• Film Criticism – registration: August 1-20, 2021
• Festival Skills – registration: September 1-28, 2021
• Journalism on Asian Cinema - registration: October 1-22, 2021
  
  

You could register for one, two or three parts of the course. Participating in each part required a separate registration. The registered participants were able to interact with the lecturers and their works were assessed and commented on by the experts.

What were the requirements for completing the course?

To complete the course and receive a participation diploma, you had to write an assignment: a film description, an essay, or a review, and present it to the expert in charge of the course. The assignment, in its final form, was accepted by the expert. The best works were published.

How long does the course last?

The courses are available:

• Film Criticism – Long Written Forms - from September 1, 2021
• Festival Skills – Short Written And Non-Written Forms - from October 1, 2021
• Journalism on Asian Cinema - from November 1, 2021

Deadlines for submitting the course assignments:

• Film Criticism – Assignment deadline: October 15, 2021
• Festival Skills – Assignment deadline: November 15, 2021
• Journalism on Asian Cinema - Assignment deadline: December 15, 2021

Webinars with experts’ comments on the assignments handed in throughout the course were available:

• Film Criticism – on October 29, 2021
• Festival Skills – on November 29, 2021
• Journalism on Asian Cinema - on December 29, 2021

What is the language of the course?

All webinars are conducted in English only – this is the working language of the whole course.

How much does it cost to participate in the course?

Participation in the course is free of charge

Contact

Questions? Please contact us!
education@piecsmakow.pl 

Terms and Conditions

Participation in the course requires acceptance of Terms and Conditions