From Voice to Vision: Core Values for Film Critics

• Maintain clarity, structure, and evidence-based reasoning in your critiques.
• Engage deeply with films, reflecting on technical and emotional aspects.
• Strive for professionalism while honing your unique critical voice.
• Explore thoughts beyond your own and allow films to speak from varied
  perspectives.
• Always aim to provide valuable insights that inform, challenge, or inspire your
  audience.
• Value and respect diverse opinions, recognizing that each perspective offers
  unique insights and has intrinsic value.
• Contribute to a collaborative and respectful community, upholding the integrity
  of film criticism.

Expectations for NCFCA Film Critics

1. Clear and Coherent Communication:
   • Demonstrates the ability to coherently convey, in writing or verbally, how and why you arrived at your assessment of a film.
2. Analytical Breakdown of Film Elements:
   • Provides in-depth analysis by evaluating specific components, including (but not limited to):
     • Acting/Characters: Development, relatability, and performance depth.
     • Cinematography: Visual storytelling, framing, lighting, and camera work.
     • Directing: Vision, execution, and cohesion.
     • Editing: Pacing, transitions, and how cuts enhance narrative flow or visual rhythm.
     • Performances: Acting quality and ability to convey emotion or deliver character depth.
     • Sound Design/Score: Use of sound effects, score, and ambient noise to create atmosphere and enhance storytelling.
     • Special Effects: Practical or digital effects and how they enhance or detract from the story.
     • Storytelling/Plot/Scriptwriting: Dialogue, themes, originality, and emotional impact. Story structure, flow, and narrative progression.
3. Specific Examples and Evidence:
   • Supports critiques with specific examples from the film.
   • Identifies elements that worked well, fell short, or surprised you, and explains why.
4. Emotional and Audience Connection:
   • Discusses the emotional impact of the movie and why it resonated (or failed to resonate) with you.
   • Frames critiques in ways that are helpful and engaging for your audience.
5. Engages Critical Thought:
   • Does the film provoke thought or spark reflection?
   • Does it reinforce personal beliefs, challenge opinions, or introduce new perspectives?
   • Do the characters or situations resonate with personal experiences—past, desired, or avoided?
   • Does the film push you to step outside your comfort zones—politically, socially, culturally, religiously, or personally?

Professional Standards and Development:

• Develop and refine a unique style and tone to effectively reach audiences.
• Be willing to explore a wide variety of films, including independent, international, documentaries, and those outside of mainstream or traditional viewing.
  • Continue to perfect your craft by studying, collaborating, and learning from other film critics. Explore different styles, review formats, and critique methods while engaging with a wide range of reviews to develop a distinctive critical voice.
• Show respect for others, uphold professionalism, and avoid actions that reflect negatively on NCFCA, yourself, or fellow members.
• Adhere to the guiding principles of the NCFCA Code of Ethics: Honesty, Fairness, and Transparency.
• Contribute to a collaborative community by offering support, encouragement, and guidance to fellow critics.
• Seek opportunities to engage with fellow members and film critics in professional and social settings to enhance the voice of film criticism and entertainment journalism.
• Value a diversity of opinion and recognize that not all viewers (and critics) will experience films the same way. Appreciate and respect the critical thoughts and perspectives of others, acknowledging that everyone’s voice has value.

What do we look for in our members?

NCFCA Members are critics and journalists serving print, broadcast, cable, online audiences, and emerging media. Mediums may include newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites, TV, radio, podcasts, and other forms of emerging media.

The North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) is dedicated to fostering a community of professional and passionate film critics who strive to uphold the highest standards of film criticism. Our members are committed to delivering thoughtful, well-articulated critiques that inform, inspire, and challenge audiences. This information outlines the expectations and guidelines for membership and critical analysis, ensuring members contribute meaningfully to the field of film criticism and entertainment journalism and uphold the integrity of the NCFCA.

Membership in the NCFCA is not a lifetime membership. Continued membership requires the following:

Membership Responsibilities:

• Consistently engage in film criticism with an NCFCA recognized outlet at least once monthly
• Provide samples of work to the NCFCA Governing Board or publicists when requested.
• Participate annually in voting for the NCFCA Best of Cinema Awards.
• Members who fail to meet membership standards may, after meaningful dialogue and interaction with the NCFCA Governing Board, be placed on probation or have their membership status reviewed, which could result in revocation.

*Adopted April 2025