Film at Lincoln Center announces that applications for its FLC Artists Academy and FLC Critics Academy are now open through June 2. The mission of the FLC Academy Programs is to support the next generation of film artists and critics and to foster a film culture that embraces diverse storytelling and points of view. 

With an emphasis on participation from underrepresented communities, the FLC Artists Academy and FLC Critics Academy take place during the New York Film Festival, providing real-world experience and mentorship from professionals in their fields.

FLC Artists Academy

The FLC Artists Academy taps into the rich New York film community to offer an immersive experience for early-career filmmakers, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for people from underrepresented communities.

Directors, screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, editors, production designers, sound designers, composers, and other craftspeople with a minimum of two years of work experience in their field are welcome to apply.  

Beginning with a three-day intensive workshop during the New York Film Festival, the Academy gives participants an opportunity to gain invaluable insight from experienced filmmakers, industry leaders, and Academy alumni. Panels, case studies, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities will focus on the participants’ career development, the collaborative process of filmmaking, and strategies for making a sustainable living in their field. Participants will receive a New York Film Festival badge and invitations to attend select industry events during the festival. 

Past mentors and speakers have included Paul Schrader, Christine Vachon, James Schamus, Nico Muhly, Ed Lachman, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Ira Deutchman, Joanna Hogg, Sir Richard Eyre, the Safdie brothers, and more. 

Applicants should have completed at least two years of post-high school education (may include traditional college, apprenticeships, professional certification, participation in other industry labs, etc.) and will be required to submit a statement of intent and links to previous film work. They must be available to be on-site in New York City for the workshops and during the New York Film Festival. Filmmakers and craftspeople from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply as part of our commitment to increasing representation in the film space.

Applications for the 2023 FLC Artists Academy are now closed. Notifications will be made by July 31.  

FLC Critics Academy

In partnership with Film Comment (FC), the FLC Critics Academy supports the next generation of film writers by offering invaluable experience in both the craft and business of film criticism, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for people from underrepresented communities.

Early-career critics with a minimum of two years of experience creating original film criticism or journalism in online, print, and/or audio/video formats are welcome to apply. 

Participants will join a two-day intensive workshop during the New York Film Festival where established members of the industry—including working critics, editors, filmmakers, distributors, and publicists—will cover topics including pitching and freelancing, the editorial process, covering festivals, podcasting practices, social media for critics, and more. 

Under the guidance of FC editors, participants will receive assignments to attend press screenings, write reviews of NYFF films, and will have the opportunity to be published on the Film Comment website. They will receive assignments to attend press screenings and  write reviews of NYFF films to be published on the FC website. Participants will also have the opportunity to pitch story ideas to other outlets. They will receive a New York Film Festival press badge and invitations to attend select industry events during the festival. 

Past Critics Academy participants have gone on to write for publications such as The Atlantic, Brooklyn Magazine, The Guardian, Huffington Post, L.A. Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, National Review, New Republic, New York Review of Books, Paper, The Paris Review, Remezcla, Reverse Shot, Vice, The Village Voice, Vulture, and more.

Applicants should have completed at least two years of post-high school education (may include traditional college, apprenticeships, professional certification, participation in other industry labs, etc.) and will be required to submit writing samples and a statement of intent. They must be available to be on-site in New York City for the workshops and during the New York Film Festival. Critics from underrepresented communities (in particular women and BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply as part of our commitment to increasing their representation in the film journalism and criticism space.

Applications for the 2023 FLC Critics Academy are now closed. Notifications will be made by July 31. 

Support for Film at Lincoln Center’s Academy Programs is generously provided by Ally Partners Dolby, Participant, Julie, and Rotten Tomatoes, and, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.