Are you 16-19? Passionate about film? Want a career in the film industry?
If so, the BFI Film Academy is for you. This course offers you the chance to be part of our future film industry.
Young Film Academy (YFA) is proud to be a partner in the BFI Film Academy Network. Young Film Academy will be run a 10-day course of filmmaking sessions in October and November in Barking and Dagenham, East London.
The 20 most passionate and promising young filmmakers who apply will be selected.
Young Film Academy are offering a practical course in short fiction filmmaking, based in Barking and Dagenham, in which participants work in teams to create films for a showcase cinema screening for the public.
As a student of the YFA BFI Film Academy:
• You will get hands-on filmmaking experience which will help you to develop practical knowledge and skills
• You can explore your own creativity and passions in a supportive and dynamic environment
• You will gain invaluable experience working alongside industry professionals who are respected practitioners in their field
• You will watch a range of cinema from British Independent to specialised films
• You will work in a team towards the completion of a professional movie
Age: You must be aged 16-19 at the time of the course to apply
Course Venue: Barking & Dagenham College RM7 0XU
Course Fee: £25*
Applications Open: 4th September 2023
Application Deadline 2023: 6th October
2023 Course Dates:
24th-26th October
11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th November
2nd December (10am-5pm)
BFI Screening: 10th December
*Please note that this course is subsidised by the BFI and Department for Education. The actual value of the course is £2000 per student. If you will struggle to pay the course fee, don’t be put off as you will be able to indicate this once you are accepted on the course and bursaries are available.
We particularly welcome applications from students with disabilities, students on free school meals and those from an ethnic minority background.
Applications are now closed. Keep an eye out in Autumn 2024 for next year’s course.
Once you have completed the Network course, you will become part the growing BFI Film Academy alumni network with access to events such as BAFTA career talks. You will also have the opportunity to complete a qualification on the course.
Run by film industry professionals, participants will benefit from their tutor’s guidance and inside knowledge of how to break into the industry. The course contains workshops and masterclasses from some of the UK’s top film experts.
The course concludes with a showcase screening, organised and marketed by the participants, who will create their own distribution strategy for their film.
Bursaries will also be made available if you require assistance with travel, childcare or other costs. More information about who can apply for bursaries can be shared by emailing us.
What’s more, you could also apply for one of the BFI Academy’s six intensive residential programmes. Courses last between one and two weeks and are designed to develop more specialist filmmaking skills. You will work closely with leading industry professionals who will give you a unique insight into the filmmaking business and guide you along the way.
During the course, participants will also achieve an NFCE Qualification: Level 2, Preparing to Work in the Film Industry
The BFI Film Academy is one of the most worthwhile experiences I have ever had; not only did I learn an unbelievable amount about film-making, and produce something that I am incredibly proud of, but also have made many useful contacts, and met an entire team of like-minded people to make films with in the future. All this, paired with gaining an arts leadership award, has left me with an unforgettable experience.”
“A fantastic learning experience, and a springboard into the british film industry.”
We have come to the end of our 10 week course. I’ve learnt a huge amount and had a lot of fun – and made a film! A big thanks to Nic and Stefan for making it such a great experience.
See dates for all our courses here: