BFI Film Academy short courses

Screen skills courses for young people aged 16 to 19.

A BFI Film Academy filmmaker prepares to film in the street.

These courses help train and inspire the next generation of UK filmmakers and production crew, supporting 16 to 19-year-olds to develop new skills and gain commercial and cultural knowledge to help build a career in the screen industries. No experience is necessary.

Courses are available across the UK. See details in the table below.

BFI Film Academy UK short courses by location
LocationOrganisation / application linkEnquiriesApplication dates (opens / closes)
Aberdeen
17 July 2023 to 10 September 2023
Armagh
8 August 2023 to 15 September 2023
Argyll and Bute
1 August 2023 to 25 September 2023
Barrow-in-Furness
14 August to 24 August 2023
Belfast
8 August 2023 to 15 September 2023
Belfast
1 August 2023 to 2 September 2023
Birmingham
4 September 2023 to 20 October 2023
Borehamwood, Herts
11 July 2023 to 6 October 2023
Bradford
16 July 2023 to 23 September 2023
Brighton
Creative Process Digital
18 August 2023 to 20 October 2023
Bristol
21 August 2023 to 22 September 2023
Cambridge
1 August 2023 to 8 September
Cardiff 
1 August 2023 to 30 September 2023
Chester
1 September 2023 to 2 October 2023
Cornwall
4 September 2023 to 29 September 2023
Crook, County Durham
1 August to 13 October 2023
Derby
10 July 2023 to 5 October 2023
Derry-Londonderry
15 August 2023 to 15 September 2023
Edinburgh
7 August 2023 to 24 September 2023
Glasgow
16 August 2023 to 14 September 2023
Hereford
20 July 2023 to 30 September 2023
Hull
31 July 2023 to 6 October 2023
Ilfracombe, Devon
24 August to 9 October 2023
Ipswich
University of Suffolk
1 September 2023 to 2 October 2023
Kent
3 July 2023 to 2 October 2023
Leeds
16 July 2023 to 23 September 2023
Lincoln
10 July 2023 to 13 October 2023
Liverpool
16 August 2023 to 30 September 2023
Llandudno
3 July 2023 to 24 August 2023
London, Barking and Dagenham
4 September 2023 to 6 October 2023
London, Islington
31 July 2023 to 25 September 2023
London, Fulham
28 July 2023 to 29 September 2023
London, Hackney
1 August 2023 to 17 September 2023
London, Kennington
31 July 2023 to 27 September 2023
London, Brixton
31 August 2023 to 20 October 2023
London, Southwark
10 August 2023 to 8 September 2023
Manchester
25 August 2023 to 18 September 2023
Milton Keyes
7 July 2023 to 4 November 2023
Newcastle upon Tyne
1 September 2023 to 4 December 2023
Norwich
Access to Music
30 July 2023 to 30 August 2023
Nottingham
4 August 2023 to 17 September 2023
Redcar
1 August 2023 to 13 October 2023
Sheffield
1 August 2023 to 15 october 2023
Slough
12 June 2023 to 19 November 2023
Somerset
17 July 2023 to 3 January 2025
Southampton
17 July 2023 to 24 October 2023
Swansea
1 August 2023 to 30 September 2023
Whitley Bay
1 August 2023 to 15 October 2023

BFI Film Academy courses are supported by the Department for Education in England, the National Lottery, Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Eligibility for short courses

In order to apply you must:

  • be aged 16 to 19-years-old on the first day of the course (applicants who are in receipt of an EHC plan (an education, health and care plan) may be recruited up to 25 years old)
  • be a UK resident
  • have a passion or talent for filmmaking and an ambition to work in the screen industries
  • be able to commit to the duration of the course
  • not currently be at university or enrolled at university when the course starts
  • not have previously enrolled on a BFI Film Academy course

As each course is likely to have more people apply than available places, any evidence you have of your passion or talent will help your application. Every course is open to young people from anywhere in the UK and from any background. No academic education or degree is necessary.

Course accessibility

The BFI Film Academy encourages young people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply. Please email filmacademy@bfi.org.uk or your local provider to discuss any learning support or access requirements that you may have.

Costs

Short courses cost £25, but if you are unable to pay the fee don’t let this discourage you from applying. Contact the course provider, as costs may be waived. Bursaries for travel and childcare are also available if you require assistance with these costs.

How to apply

Each course has its own application process and you will need to apply directly to the organisation running it. Please visit the relevant organisation links in the table for further information.

The starting date for each course varies and there are different deadlines for applications. Please ensure that you can make all the dates for your chosen course before applying.

Related qualifications

If you enrol on a UK short course you will be completing one of the following qualifications:

NCFE

The Preparing to Work in the Film Industry qualification is an NCFE Level 2 award, which helps to develop young people’s interest, passion and skills to help them in their potential careers across the film industry. This qualification has been driven by the needs of industry and education partners.

Arts Award

The Arts Award is a framework developed by Arts Council England to help young people learn new skills and share them. The BFI Film Academy is using Explore (specifically for participants with disabilities), Bronze and Silver. Employers, universities and colleges know that Arts Award is a qualification that shows young people’s level of commitment and progress in the arts, and in developing new skills.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email filmacademy@bfi.org.uk.

Funded by