The shape of film criticism in the UK, and beyond, is constantly in a state of flux. As the landscape changes, with various media platforms falling in and out of fashion, one of the constant questions critics find themselves faced with is how to make and maintain a career in an unstable field? Without a crystal ball to tell us just how the future looks for working film critics and with the very term 'film critic' up for debate, our focus is to bring the conversation back into the cinema and to rediscover the art of criticism in a context that contemplates the past, present and future of the moving image.

From review culture to deeper and more creative modes of analysis and engagement, there is a tension between speeding up and slowing down. How has the 'hot take' changed approach and styles of criticism today? And what is the impact of taking our time to consider and respond to topical or provocative films and issues in the industry? Exploring the impact of this change through talks, panels and a dedicated workshop for early career critics, we look forward to opening up a space for debate with a host of impassioned critics, journalists, activists and curators working in the field.

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