We are thrilled to announce that this year’s EIFF Young Critics mentors will be the immensely talented trio of Ella Kemp, Leslie Byron Pitt and Douglas Greenwood!

Their collective experience includes articles and documentaries for the likes of: Empire magazine, NME, i-D, BBC and Girl On Tops among others to date. 

In addition to their professional accolades, each mentor has also used their platform to fearlessly tackle barriers that affect marginalised groups and amplify diverse voices.

Over the course of the festival, each mentor will share their experiences with a group of nine young critics; equipping them with the skills needed to find their voice and forge a successful career in the post-pandemic film industry.

 

Ella Kemp
Ella Kemp

Ella Kemp is a critic, editor and portrait photographer based in London. She is the Film Editor for The Quietus and a Contributing Editor for Girls on Tops, and regularly writes about music and film for NME, Empire, The i, Little White Lies, Letterboxd and more. Her favourite film is Moulin Rouge! and her favourite word is verklempt, because it’s what she often is.

Leslie Pitt
Leslie Pitt

Leslie Pitt went from “wanting to do something in films” when he was at university to become a "self-facilitating media node" by accident. Starting off as a blogger at his own site, Leslie has now written for online outlets such as Set the Tape, Vodzilla and The London Economic. His recent achievements include articles and reviews for Empire, Little White Lies and Film Stories. On the way, Leslie also discovered a passion for voice work. His Buckinghamshire accent has graced BBC’s Inside Cinema and Jazz FM. He is also the co-host of two podcasts and an avid amateur photographer.

Douglas Greenwood
Douglas Greenwood

Douglas Greenwood is a Scottish writer, editor and creative consultant based in London. Currently a contributing editor at i-D, his work on film, music, queerness and youth culture can also be found in the New York Times, Vogue, New York Magazine and The Face. He has profiled artists including Billie Eilish, Willem Dafoe, Dua Lipa, Rooney Mara and Xavier Dolan. As a teenager, he was a part of Edinburgh International Film Festival's Young Talents and Young Programmers, and has since attended Cannes, Venice, Toronto and Berlin Film Festival.

EIFF Young Critics is supported by James and Morag Anderson.

Find out more about the Young Critics 2021 Programme.