MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

1- All members must publish or broadcast, film reviews under their own names or bylines. “Student” memberships must meet the age requirement of eighteen years of age. To preserve membership in good standing, members must pay annual dues and participate in the NTFCA annual award opinion poll. Members must qualify under at least one of the three membership categories listed below:

2- Critics must write for a professional website or have their own professional website with a unique domain or both where they post movie reviews and at least one of the sites must get at least 3,000 Unique Monthly Visitors. Having just a Substack WordPress Blog or another blog website does not count, must be a professional website with a unique domain even if using the WordPress Software for the website. If a critic is doing podcast reviews, then their platform channel must have at least 3,000 subscribers (Example: YouTube or Spotify). A critic can have a website and a podcast platform channel and have one of these get at least 3,000 unique monthly visitors. Critics who have a podcast must also have a unique domain for their brand that can be used for a website or redirect to their podcast platform channel.

3- Critics must have at least 3 social media pages where they’re posting their reviews such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X. Whether they are written reviews or podcast / video reviews, they must be posted on at least 3 social media sites.

4- Critics must create a “Letterboxd” account where they post their reviews of movies if the write movie reviews, or they can rate movies. It can be current, and past movies. This is a new entertainment industry standard. Creating an account is FREE.

5- Critics must be reviewing films for at least 2 years with their own website or podcast platform or reviewing film for at least 6 months if they are writing for an outlet that has members with the North Texas Film Critics Association and has been sponsored by a current member. This can be considered an internship with another outlet where your sponsor also serves as your editor and provides relative experience as a Critic and Entertainment journalist.

6- Critics must provide thought-provoking and critical analysis on film such as performance, style of filmmaking, storytelling, and comparison to other films. We take into consideration writing style and critical analysis of movies beyond saying that you like a film, or you don’t like a film, but explaining why in detail. Critics reviews and writing style will be evaluated to maintain a professional standard set by this critic’s association. If reviews are not considered professional enough, we do invite critics to intern with an outlet and gain experience writing reviews under the guidance of a professional film critic and editor.

TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS

PRINT: Reviews must include the member’s byline and appear in one or more recognized publications with a minimum circulation of 3,000 Members must release a minimum average of 3 reviews per month or 36 individual reviews annually and must remain current when publishing on their own website.  It is the intent of the NTFCA that members give a rating and/or opinion within their review of all films. A short synopsis (under 200 words) is insufficient to qualify as a “review”. When a publication contains reviews by more than one reviewer, an individual contributor must publish at least twenty-­five reviews annually to meet the minimum membership requirements.

BROADCAST: Members must broadcast on a regular basis, either on commercial, public radio and/or television. The member must customarily broadcast commentary on newly released films in one or more segments each week. The broadcast must at least 3,000 listeners or 3,000 unique views. Podcast channels should have at least 3,000 subscribers and videos should get an average of 1,000 or views.  YouTube Channels should have at least 3,000 subscribers and videos should get an average of 1,000 or more views.

INTERNET: A member must publish on a site of professional quality as determined by committee. Websites should have at 3,000 Subscribers or 3,000 Unique Monthly Visitors.  Each member must post reviews averaging at least three per month containing at least 300 words per review for a minimum of 90 days (3 months) prior to membership. They must remain current by publishing, on average, at least three film reviews per month thereafter. If a site hosts reviews by more than one reviewer, to be considered for membership, each individual reviewer must meet the above requirements.

MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL DUES

Every January, but preferably at the annual meeting, all members will have to pay their yearly membership dues, currently at rate of $20 per year. Any new members joining during the year will be obligated to pay membership dues on a prorated basis. Any new members joining between January through April will pay a full yearly amount. Any new member joining between May and September will pay a ½ the yearly dues amount. Any new member joining between October through December will pay no dues at the time, but will be obligated to pay the full normal dues amount the following January. All monies collected will be expended on the costs of, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining the association website, preparing and disseminating screening and release calendars, and costs associated with year­-end film ballots and awards. The Board President also may authorize the expenditure of funds for “reasonable” costs for the Annual Meeting / Awards Event.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please email membership@northtexasfilmcritics.org. 

When applying for membership please make sure you have the items listed below and provide viewing numbers and links to where you publish reviews so we can verify. If you do not have any of the things listed below, your application will automatically be rejected you may apply again at a future date.   

• Meet the number requirements for print, broadcast, or internet – 3K Subscribers or 3K UMV
• Have a bio ad a headshot
• Have a website for your reviews are posted whether it’s for an outlet, your own website/blog or unique domain that forwards to Podcast or YouTube Channel
• Have at least 3 social media account where you publish your reviews
• Have a Letterboxd account with your reviews or ratings (its free to signup)
• List any press lists you are one where you get invited to press screenings

The North Texas Film Critics Membership Committee will evaluate your application and make a recommendation to the leadership committee on whether to approve or not approve the application, It can take up to 30 days to get back to you.  If the application is rejected, we will give you a list of things you need to do to be approved next time you apply.

*** UMV stands for “Unique Monthly Visitors.”

MORALITY CLAUSE

If any member commits any act or do anything which might reasonably be considered: (i) to be immoral, deceptive, scandalous or obscene; or (ii) be arrested for or have valid accusations for acts that are considered violent, immoral, or obscene in nature, (iii) to injure, tarnish, damage or otherwise negatively affect the NTFCA, that member can be dismissed from the organization. A member can be dismissed or suspended by a 51% approval by the NTFCA leadership. If a person is excused from the organization and the accusations are later found to be unfounded or dismissed, the member can be re-instated by a 51% approval from the NTFCA leadership.

RULES OF CONDUCT

1- Film Critics must be professional at all times during press events and not do anything that would have a negative impact on the North Texas Film Critics Association.

2- Film Critics will be respectful of other critics when it comes to race, gender, sexuality, and lifestyle.

3- Film Critics will not be late and show up in a timely manner to all press or promo screenings without notifying in advance the PR rep who is hosting the screening.

4- Film Critics will NOT talk during screenings so as not to disturb other critics or guests from enjoying the film.

5- Film Critics will refrain from derogatory language that might be offensive to others during a screening.

6- Film Critics will maintain professionalism on social media and not use their social media accounts to create controversy, hate speech, or offensive views. Critics represent a brand and social media activity should not cause a negative impact on their outlets and the North Texas Film Critics Association.

7- Members of The NTFCA shall be professional during any event they attend as press or at any event they are invited to due to their press credentials. Members shall follow all the rules for press, journalists, and media outlets regarding photos, videos, interviews, and written articles at the event they attend whether it be film festivals, conventions, press junkets, or media events.  Members will not ask for photographs with, autographs from, or special favors from talent during these events.  Any photograph or video unless “paid for” must be accompanied with press coverage through interviews, written articles, or promotion of the event on social media.

8- Film Critics will respect all film embargoes and not release their reviews until after the embargo has passed, which is set by film studios and the publicity company representing the film.

9- Film Critics will refrain from spoilers in their reviews. but if there are spoilers, critics will have a warning label before the spoilers are revealed so readers or listeners can turn away before major plot points are revealed.

Application for Membership in the North Texas Film Critics Association

To apply for membership, please send an e-mail to the leadership team and the membership committee at membership@northtexasfilmcritics.org. Please put “NTFCA Membership Request” on the subject line. Please include:

1. A small summary about your current and past media work
2. The current UMV or monthly visitor amounts to your sites.
3. A link to your current website.
4. Links to a couple recent movie reviews from your outlet.