Cuckoo reviewers to attend Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival

Cuckoo Young Writers have teamed up with Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival to offer a masterclass as part of the festival next month. Led by Gateshead-based writer Michael Pattison, the session is titled Everyone’s a Critic – How to break into film criticism and is a great starting point for budding film reviewers. From top tips on what makes a good critic through to how to actually make a living from it, Michael will share his thoughts and answer your questions. Hear also about why film criticism is important to Michael – and why critics are important to festivals such as Berwick. The masterclass will be attended by a number of Cuckoo Review writers supported by New Writing North but is open to anyone over the age of 15 interested in film reviewing. Places are limited though – to book please contact [email protected].

Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival is an international celebration of the art of film, set in the historic border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The inaugural festival took place in September 2005, with a vision to transform Berwick into one big screen – a visual and cultural spectacle – and the celebration has taken place every year since. This year’s festival takes place from 17-21 September.

Michael Pattison is based in Gateshead, has a first-class BA (Hons) degree in film and English studies from the University of East Anglia and a distinction-standard MA in film from Newcastle University. He has been published by Sight & Sound, The Guardian, Little White Lies, MUBI, Fandor, Tribune Magazine, Slant Magazine, Film Comment, Cineaste, Senses of Cinema, Indiewire, Jigsaw Lounge, Grolsch Film Works, Eye For Film and others. Michael is a programming consultant for Bradford International Film Festival and has worked as a Q&A moderator for Crossing Europe Film Festival Linz and IndieLisboa. He is also a member of FIPRESCI.