These short courses help train and inspire the next generation of UK filmmakers, supporting young people aged 16 – 19 to develop the commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to help make a career in film.
Courses are delivered across the UK, with five hosted in the South West region, and you don’t need any prior experience in filmmaking.
Across all courses, you can expect to:
- Take part in masterclasses and practical workshops delivered by industry professionals
- See your ideas develop from script to screen.
- Learn how to work as part of a production crew to create a short film.
- Gain skills, networks, support, knowledge and confidence to move forward working in creative media.
- Have fun, meet great people, and watch lots of films.
The starting date for each course varies; there are different deadlines for applications, and you will need to apply directly to the organisation running it. They are:
Short Courses in the South West Region
The BFI Film Academy Short Course at Watershed Bristol
Delivered by Black Bark Films and Watershed, you can learn to work in a production team and go on location to create a short documentary film.
The course runs across ten full-day sessions, on the following dates:
- Sat 11th, 18th, 25th Oct 10am-5.30pm
- Mon 27th, Tue 28th, Wed 29th, Thu 30th, Fri 31st Oct (half term) 10am-5.30pm
- Sat 8th, 15th Nov 10am-5.30pm
APPLY HERE via the online form
- Applications open at 9am on Wed 20th Aug
- Applications close at 10am on Mon 15th Sept
- Application and Course Information Help Sheet:
For any queries re the Bristol course, email bfi.academy@watershed.co.uk
The BFI Film Academy Short Course at Somerset Film
Somerset Film are offering two seven-day BFI Film Academy Short Courses with hands-on filmmaking experience, working alongside industry professionals. You’ll get to make two short films, watch films, receive masterclasses and career signposting, and achieve a Bronze Arts award.
Somerset Film are now accepting applications (APPLY HERE) for their next BFI Film Academy Short Course, which is taking place in Minehead.
The course runs across seven full-day sessions, on the following dates:
- Sat 18th, 25th Oct 10am – 5pm
- Tue 28th, Wed 29th, Thu 30th, Fri 31st Oct (half term) 10am – 5pm
- Sat 8th November 10am – 5pm
For more information, visit Somerset Film’s website.
The BFI Film Academy Short Course at City Eye, Southampton
Based in Southampton but serving the wider Solent and south-central region, the City Eye Short Course provides sessions to support skills development and creativity, connections and experience in the film industry and an opportunity to engage with the annual film festival – Southampton Film Week.
City Eye are now accepting applications (APPLY HERE).
The course runs across ten sessions, on the following dates:
- Sat 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th Oct
- Mon 27th, Tue 28th, Wed 29th, Thu 30th Oct (half term)
- Sat 8th, 15th Nov
For more information, visit City Eye’s website
The BFI Film Academy Short Course at Screen Cornwall (COMING SOON)
Screen Cornwall’s Short Course offers aspiring filmmakers a chance to make their own short film through hands-on workshops led by industry professionals and experts from Falmouth University’s School of Film & Television.
For more information, visit Screen Cornwall.
Specialist Courses
The BFI Film Academy Specialist courses are designed to develop your filmmaking skills in a particular specialism. Participants work closely with leading industry professionals who offer a unique insight into the filmmaking business and guide you along the way.
Specialist courses are a great, one-off opportunity to help you into the film industry. There are courses in animation, documentary, scriptwriting and film programming and audience development. You can also apply for one of the craft skills courses where you learn a specific craft skill, these include: producing, production design, directing, cinematography, sound, editing and scriptwriting. You can find out more from the national BFI Film Academy website.
