BFI Film Academy is a UK-wide flagship programme for underrepresented young people aged 16 to 25 hoping to start a career in the screen industries. Focused on preparing participants for careers in below the line production and wider screen industry occupations, the programme will enable young people to learn new skills and gain continued support.
BFI Film Academy Hubs and BFI Film Academy Training Courses are now open for applications from providers.
BFI Film Academy Hubs
Key access points for young people
BFI Film Academy Hubs will serve as key access points for young people from underrepresented backgrounds who are entering, or preparing to enter, the screen industries. Each Hub will provide tailored careers advice, technical skills training, and personalised guidance to help participants build sustainable careers in the sector.
Regional experts
BFI Film Academy Hubs will act as regional experts on screen activity, maintaining strong connections with local industry and other training providers. Responding to local contexts, each Hub’s programme will be tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of its region or nation, ensuring that young people will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills relevant to both the commercial and cultural film sectors, and can access relevant training, professional development, and career pathways close to home.
How Hubs should be run
BFI Film Academy Hubs are not necessarily physical spaces, but networks of activity delivered across multiple venues within a specific region. Each Hub will be led by one central partner organisation, which may work collaboratively with a range of local delivery partners to ensure the greatest possible reach and impact.
The Hubs will primarily work with young people who are planning to progress into the workforce at 18-years-old and above, and not pursue higher education. All programme delivery should focus on engaging young people from underrepresented backgrounds and those identified as not in education, employment or training (NEET).
What we’re looking for
We’re seeking twelve Hub Partners across the UK (one organisation in each geographical region of England, plus Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) to lead delivery of the programme in their area. Each Hub Partner will focus on specific priority areas, ensuring that local communities are effectively supported and represented within the wider UK screen landscape.
Each organisation funded will be responsible for delivering BFI Film Academy Regional Hub activity to the Priority Education Investment Areas as identified by the Department for Education (DfE) as areas for place-based intervention. These are areas where educational outcomes are the weakest or were previous DFE opportunity areas:
- East of England, including Ipswich, Norwich, and Fenlands & East Cambridgeshire
- South East, including Hastings
- South West, including Portsmouth and West Somerset
- West Midlands, including Sandwell, Stoke-on-Trent and Walsall
- East Midlands, including Derby and Nottingham
- North East including Hartlepool and Middlesbrough
- Yorkshire and The Humber including Bradford, Doncaster, and Scarborough
- North West including Blackpool, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Tameside
- London, including Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Croydon, Enfield and Newham
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
- Wales
What BFI Film Academy Hubs need to deliver
Across their regions, BFI Film Academy Hubs need to deliver:
- BFI Film Academy introductory courses
- BFI Film Academy year-round activity
- apprenticeships for project staff
Who can apply
Legally constituted organisations centrally managed in the UK that can deliver:
- stimulating and exciting screen-related workshops, masterclasses and courses with structured outcomes
- activity and events for young people that will develop knowledge and skills relevant to the screen industries
Get in touch if you’re not sure if you’re eligible for this fund: filmacademy@bfi.org.uk.
When you can apply
Applications open on 13 November 2025 and close on 21 January 2026.
How to apply
Applicants will need to set up an online account to apply for this fund. You can apply online after you’ve read the funding guidelines in full.
Get help with your application
We are committed to making our funding accessible to all. If you have access requirements and need some support applying for funding, see Access support for BFI funding applicants.
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