Spotlight: Gen Z Critics Club

-By, Sophie Stone

Betsy K. (Class VIII),  along with NY Film Critics Series producer Mark Ehrenkranz, created GenZ Critics (GZC) Club, an organization that aims to “bring young film critics together, giving them a platform to broadcast their opinions while helping them to connect with fellow critics.”

Film criticism, or the analysis and evaluation of films and film media, provides the public with educated reviews of movies and film. But the critic’s function extends far beyond deciding whether a movie is “good” or “bad.” They provide what many of the highly opinionated people on Twitter and Facebook cannot: context and facts. Critical analysis also sparks discourse about art, both high and low. It gives audiences the tools to understand film, and by extension- their lives, just a little bit better.

So having younger voices in film criticism is paramount, because an entire generation’s interpretations, ideas, and experiences aren’t yet being expressed through this medium. Currently, as the GZC website states, film criticism is dominated by those over 40. But Betsy aims to change that.

SS: So why are you drawn to film criticism? Why should people care about it?

BK: Personally, I am drawn to film criticism because I love talking and writing about movies! However, I believe that people should care about film criticism because movies play such a large role in American culture. Films affect our opinions, values, and sometimes our awareness of certain topics. Shouldn’t we, therefore, learn to articulate our opinions about them, through film reviews/criticism?

SS: What prompted you to create GZC?

BK: The fact that film critics are part of an aging demographic and that there were very few efforts being made to reach out to a younger audience motivated me to found the Gen Z Critics Club.

SS: What is your vision for GZC?

BK: My short term goal for the organization is for it to create an online space where young film critics can view each other’s work online and collaborate with one another. In a few years time, however, I hope that the Gen Z Critics Club can become a trusted source by movie studios and distributors to gain interest for their films with teens and young adults – an extremely valuable age group. Another hope is that the Gen Z Critics Club inspires more young people to become film critics!

This winter, the GenZ Critics Club will be hosting its first annual contest for aspiring film critics. Anyone is welcome to submit. Five winners will be chosen, and, upon selection, have their reviews published. GZC offers opportunities to interact with preeminent film critics and movie business professionals and to be featured on-screen during national events. To learn more, and read press releases about GZC, go to genzcritics.com. In December of 2016, Betsy’s 22-page paper on filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl will be published in The Concord Review. Follow GZC on Instagram and Twitter: @genzcritics, and find them on Facebook.