The beginning of a beautiful friendship: the BFI and Durham University

An ambitious partnership with Durham University gives staff and students university-wide access to BFI Player.

BFI and Durham University partnership

Durham University students can learn from industry experts and access landmark independent films on our award-winning BFI Player through a wide-reaching new partnership.

Our inaugural Film and TV Careers Week featured virtual talks with professionals from across the industry on development, commissioning, screenwriting, producing, funding, the life of an agent, film programming, marketing and press and PR. These sessions were available university-wide and attracted students across a range of subject areas.

Staff and students can access their own BFI Player subscriptions and stream acclaimed classic, cult and archive films at the touch of a button. There’s also exclusive subscription-only films and collections including LGBTQIA+, visionary directors and Black stories handpicked by the BFI.

An understanding and appreciation of the moving image continues to grow in importance, with visual storytelling a powerful engine of change, education and shared understanding. We are delighted to support students across Durham University to engage directly with the cultural and practical aspects of filmmaking, and embed the role and value of film and filmmaking across the student experience.Simone Pyne, Senior Business Development Manager, BFI
We are excited to be entering a high-level partnership with the BFI. Access to BFI Player opens up wonderful opportunities for students to engage with film, as part of their formal programme of study and as part of the wider student experience that we offer. Working with the BFI on key projects will allow us to enhance the quality of our education and research in the field of visual and film studies, to develop students’ employability within the cultural sector, and to offer workplace experience with a vibrant, world-class organisation.Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for Durham University

To enquire about our university partnerships and BFI Player access please email enterprise@bfi.org.uk.

Find out about who we work with and read more about our BFI Player: Educational access and subscriptions.