In collaboration with the Chicago Film Critics Association, Rotten Tomatoes is pleased to announce that stipend applications are now open to freelance and early-career press attending TIFF 2025 in a professional capacity. Stipends are intended to provide financial support for festival travel and lodging, upgrading equipment needed for festival coverage, and/or covering expenses that may be incurred due to time off work to attend the festival.
We are proud to work with the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), who will review the applications, select the final recipients, and provide funding directly to those recipients.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ARE WELCOME TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE.
Eligible applicants will have already begun building a portfolio and audience for their work as critics. You may apply for the stipend regardless of whether you have previously attended or been accredited at TIFF. Membership in a critics’ organization, including the Chicago Film Critics Association, does not influence the outcome of your application.
Factors for selection include, but are not limited to:
Only critics and journalists accredited as press for TIFF 2025 will be eligible to receive stipends. Press accreditation applications opened June 2 and are available here. Please apply for accreditation before submitting your application for the grant.
