Film criticism is a community. Since the beginning of the film era people have been watching, and talking about, and writing about movies. Filmmakers Lev Kuleshov and Sergei Eisenstein established the art of film theory early in the 20th century when they crafted essays to describe the Soviet Montage theory and even to respond, and sometimes disagree with each other's opinions on the theory. Decades later, André Bazin would continue the conversation on montage in Cahiers du cinéma, the French film magazine that Bazin co-founded with Jacques Doniol-Valcroze and Joseph-Marie Lo Duca. Cahiers would re-invent film theory and criticism, eventually spawning the immensely influential auteur theory, a concept which would then be wildly argued about in The New Yorker by critics Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris. The point is that when you write about film you join a community of other writers who are equally passionate about the topic. But it is only when you publish your writing that you have the opportunity to create a conversation, to join the community of film criticism.

The Internet provides us with the opportunity to read articles from professional film critics from all over the world. Dig a little deeper and you'll find an even larger community of amateur film critics who are self-publishing their writing with personal blogs. Most of these sites, for professional and amateur critics alike, offer the opportunity for interaction. Leave a good comment and you might start a conversation with your favorite critic. Publish your own writing on film and you might be surprised by the conversation it sparks.

There has never been a greater opportunity for amateur film critics to be published. But why should you write? To explore an idea; to learn more about your topic; to respond to the writings of others; because you enjoy it! When you publish your work and participate in the community of film blogs, you join that community.

If you are a student, alumni, or faculty of the University of Colorado Denver's Film Studies program, we welcome your submissions, and look forward to seeing your writing online.