European Network for Film Discourse

The European Network for Film Discourse (END) is a multi-layered platform dedicated to the qualitative examination of European filmmaking. The goal is critical discourse by and about a younger generation. Activities center on workshops, mentoring programs, and the film criticism magazine Talking Shorts.

The network was initiated by FILMFEST DRESDEN (DE) and VIENNA SHORTS (AT) in 2017 and expanded in 2019. It consists of an active core – Kortfilmfestival Leuven (BE), Vilnius ISFF(LT), FeKK in Ljubljana (SI) and Lago Film Fest(IT) – and more than 20 festivals participating in Talking Shorts as supporting members.

In its first year alone, the online magazine reached more than 120,000 visitors, published 32 reviews and 16 podcast episodes, featured 15 young auteurs, and hosted two workshops and the multi-week My Darling Quarantine project (with dozens of participating filmmakers and festivals), which was covered by 160 media outlets in 23 countries.

Here you can find the press release about the project.

2023, the European Network for Film Discourse (The END) and the short film magazine Talking Shorts organised two multi-day workshop sessions for aspiring film critics as part of the short film festivals in Dresden (April) and Vienna (June). The reviews created in these sessions can be found on the Talking Shorts website.