– Cineuropa is organising a series of critics’ labs across partner festivals, starting with the first edition at the Berlin-based gathering, unspooling from 28-31 May
(© Dovile Sermokas/Doxumentale)
Building on its role as the leading European platform dedicated to cinema and its strong track record in training emerging film critics and journalists, Cineuropa will organise a series of Another Story critics’ labs across partner festivals, starting with the first edition at Doxumentale in Berlin (28-31 May – see the news).
The lab builds on this experience, particularly the GoCritic! programme, the first pan-European training initiative for young film journalists, as well as collaborations such as the Meet the Industry Bootcamp (MIOB), launched at Les Arcs and further developed at Trieste. These initiatives share a common goal: to strengthen critical voices in European cinema by combining practical writing exercises with direct exposure to the festival environment and the film industry.
The Berlin lab will select seven participants, offering them an intensive, workshop-based experience focused on film criticism. The programme will cover hospitality costs, while participants will engage in daily writing assignments, editorial discussions and mentoring sessions. Their work will be guided and potentially published through the Another Story website, ensuring both visibility and professional development opportunities.
In line with the editorial vision of Another Story, the lab will place a strong emphasis on writing about films by women and on women’s representation in cinema. Participants will be encouraged to engage critically with the historical and social contexts in which women filmmakers have worked, exploring how their perspectives have been shaped, and often constrained, by broader industry structures.
The lab will therefore not only focus on strengthening writing skills, but also on developing a more nuanced and historically informed critical approach. Participants will reflect on issues of visibility, authorship and narrative power, contributing to a broader rethinking of film criticism and its role in shaping cultural discourse.
The lab will cover the fundamentals of film journalism, including how to structure an article, define tone and adapt writing to different types of media. The practical component will invite participants to write at least three articles during the festival, which will be discussed both in one-on-one mentoring sessions and in group feedback meetings, fostering a collaborative and hands-on learning environment.
Participation is by application only. To apply, please complete the application form and submit it by 5 May 2026. It should comprise a short motivation statement and one writing sample in English.
Another Story (see the news) is a new pan-European initiative dedicated to reclaiming and recontextualising women’s contributions to documentary cinema. Developed by a network of five partners (HER Docs Foundation, Poland; Festival dei Popoli, Italy; The Good Media Network/Doxumentale, Germany; the Balkan Documentary Center/Sofia DocuMental, Bulgaria; and Cineuropa, Belgium), the project brings to light films that have been historically overlooked, while encouraging new ways of reading film history through a feminist lens.
Over the course of two years, Another Story will present a curated selection of documentaries by women across festivals and online platforms, accompanied by public discussions, educational activities and training initiatives. By connecting audiences with both rediscovered works and contemporary perspectives, the project aims to reshape the canon and foster a deeper understanding of women’s role in shaping cinematic language and storytelling.
