The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has confirmed the return of the Student Critics Jury for a second year.

The initiative supports the future of film criticism and comprises a jury of seven aspiring film critics.

Members of the jury are selected from applications received from Scotland’s colleges and universities.

In addition to giving an award, the jury members will write short essays about the films and the festival. Selected pieces will be published on the EIFF website. The jurors will also determine the winner of the Student Critics Jury Award, presented at the EIFF Awards Ceremony.

The students will be chosen on the basis of a 500 word essay submitted by May 13 which can be written on any recent or classic film, demonstrating the applicant’s writing skills as well as passion for and knowledge of cinema. Once selected, the seven chosen students will be brought to Edinburgh for six days of the festival (EIFF runs June 19-30), during which they will be mentored by leading international critics.

For applications and enquiries about bursaries contact: education@cmi-scotland.co.uk and for further information visit: http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/learning