As part of its upcoming edition, the Algiers International Film Festival (AIFF) is launching a call for applications to form its Youth Jury.
Designed for young Algerian film enthusiasts, this initiative offers participants the opportunity to experience a film festival from the inside, develop their critical perspective on films, and take part in discussions and exchanges around contemporary cinema.
The Youth Jury
The Youth Jury will consist of 13 members, aged between 18 and 28.
Jury members will be responsible for viewing films from the Official Selection across the festival’s three competitions: Feature Films, Short Films and Discovery.
Following the screenings, the Youth Jury will meet to exchange views, discuss the films and deliberate independently in order to award the Youth Jury Grand Prize, which will be presented during the official closing and awards ceremony.
The Youth Jury is not limited to screenings and deliberations. Its members will also produce editorial and media content, designed to document and highlight their festival experience and further develop their approach to film criticism.
Responsibilities of Youth Jury Members
Selected members will be expected to:
- View the films selected for the Youth Jury competition.
- Take part in discussions and exchanges with the other jury members.
- Share their perspectives and develop a collective reflection on the films presented.
- Deliberate independently and award the Youth Jury Grand Prize.
- Award a Special Mention, where applicable.
- Meet filmmakers, artists and industry professionals invited to the festival.
- Contribute to the production of critical and journalistic content, including film. reviews, filmed interviews, podcasts and other editorial formats to be published on the festival’s official platforms.
An Experience at the Heart of the Festival
Joining the AIFF Youth Jury means taking an active part in the life of the festival and discovering, beyond the screenings, the various dimensions of film creation and distribution.
Jury members will be encouraged to develop their perspective on the films, articulate and defend their choices, and engage in discussions with professionals and artists from Algeria and abroad.
Films Eligible for the Youth Jury
The Youth Jury will award the Youth Jury Grand Prize and may, where applicable, award a Special Mention.
Eligible films are debut films by filmmakers selected for the festival’s three competitions: Feature Films, Short Films and Discovery.
Eligibility Requirements
The call for applications is open to candidates who meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18 and 28 years old at the time of the festival.
- Be available for the entire duration of the festival to attend screenings, meetings, discussions and deliberations.
- Demonstrate curiosity, open-mindedness and a genuine interest in cinema.
- Be able to work as part of a team and engage with differing viewpoints in a spirit of dialogue.
- No previous experience in film criticism is required.
Application Requirements
Applications must include:
- A motivation letter, explaining the applicant’s interest in cinema, their reasons for wishing to join the Youth Jury, and their interest in the festival experience and collective work.
- An up-to-date CV, highlighting, where applicable, cultural, community, academic or educational experiences related to cinema and audiovisual media.
- A film review, focusing on either a recent film or a film from the cinematic heritage. This exercise should demonstrate the applicant’s analytical abilities, personal perspective and critical thinking. The review should be between 1,500 and 2,000 characters.
Application Timeline
Application deadline: October 30, 2026
Applications should be submitted to: application@ficinema.dz
Selected candidates will be notified individually following the selection process.
