Young people from Germany and France train as film critics

The FGYO (French-German Youth Office) strives to foster cultural ties between French and German youths.Over 10 million young people have benefitted from a wide range of exchange programme -  which have evolved along with young people’s interests - whether it be through school exchange programmes, internships abroad, or cultural programmes such as the film criticism workshops organised during La Semaine de la Critique!

From the 19th to 23rd of May, 20 young people from the French regions of Auvergne-Rhône Alpes and Pays de la Loire, and the German states of Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria, will have the opportunity to discover new cultures and new outlooks through lively discussions, education workshops, and sharing their perspectives on films.

These events are particularly significant as they broaden one’s horizons and transcend borders - particularly meaningful aims given the current international climate. Film literacy workshops have long been a tradition at the FGYO, as demonstrated by our collaboration with the Berlinale (2004 - 2015), which is resuming this year. The current partnerships with La Semaine de la Critique and Série Mania Festival in Lille offer young people the chance to sharpen their analytical skills and form their own opinions on topical issues. The importance of such initiatives is self-evident in the age of social media and fake news. 

The FGYO counts several film programmes, with the Tübingen-Stuttgart International French-speaking Film Festival, the Braunschweig International Film Festival (KINEMA), the French-German Film Meeting, the French Film Week in Berlin, and the Augenblick German Film Festival in Eastern France.

Not only do these film literacy workshops allow them to discover the wide range of cinematic works, they are also an opportunity for young people to face the geopolitical, social, and environmental challenges of a world that they will soon lead. A vital endeavour in our day and age.

Anne Tallineau and Tobias Bütow
General Secretaries | FGYO
© Thibaut Chapotot