Overview
Since 2012, BFI Film Academy short and specialist residential courses have provided opportunities for talented and committed young people between the ages of 16–19 to develop new skills and build a career in the screen industries, regardless of their background or where they live.
BFI Film Academy courses are led by industry experts and cover key areas of the industry, enabling young people to develop crucial commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to make those first steps. Our aim is to find talent with a passion for the screen industries all across the UK to ensure that the opportunity is available to all.
BFI Film Academy courses are funded by the Department for Education in England, National Lottery funding awarded by the BFI, Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Key dates for funds
Application launch date | Wednesday 26 April 2023 |
Application closing date | Midday on Friday 26 May 2023 |
Decision and offer of funding | Week commencing Monday 10 July 2023 |
Film Academy Partners Day | Thursday 7 September 2023 |
BFI Film Academy Short Course commences | From September 2024 |
BFI Film Academy Specialist Course commences | From February 2024 |
What you can apply for
For short courses, partners can apply for up to £20,000 per course.
For specialist courses, partners can apply for funding between £1,800 to £3,500 per participant.
See the guidelines for a detailed breakdown of what you can use the funding for.
What you need to provide
A full list of what you need to provide can be found in the fund guidelines for each course.
BFI Film Academy open call funding webinar
We hosted an hour long funding webinar at 2pm on Wednesday 10 May 2023.
We shared information about the BFI Film Academy Short and Specialist courses guidelines, and what we expect from delivery partners. There was also an opportunity to ask questions related to the application process.
Please note, we are having issues with the closed captions and are hoping to have this issue resolved with YouTube in the next few days.
Apply for funding
Read the full guidelines for the course you’d like to provide below. You can apply using the application link in the guidelines.
Making an application for Film Academy short course funding
These guidelines are for organisations across the UK that wish to make an application to deliver a Film Academy Short Course Programme.
Read this pageMaking an application for Film Academy specialist courses funding
These guidelines are for organisations across the UK that wish to make an application to deliver a Film Academy Specialist Course Programme.
Read this page