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.
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 11, Sat 18 & Sat 25 Oct 10:00-17:30
- Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29, Thu 30, Fri 31 Oct (half term) 10:00-17:30
- Sat 8, Sat 15 Nov 10:00-17:30
Applications open at 09:00 on Wed 20 Aug.
Applications close at 10:00 on Mon 15 Sept.
Application and Course Information Help Sheet
Find more information on the short course at Watershed, Bristol, and for any queries email the Film Academy team at Watershed.
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 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 18, Sat 25 Oct 10:00-17:00
- Tue 28, Wed 29, Thu 30, Fri 31 Oct (half term) 10:00-17:00
- Sat 8 November 10:00-17:00
Applications close Mon 6 October
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.
The course runs across ten sessions, on the following dates:
- Sat 4, Sat 11, Sat 18, Sat 25 Oct
- Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29, Thu 30 Oct (half term)
- Sat 8, Sat 15 Nov
Applications close Tue 23 September.
For more information, visit City Eye’s website
The BFI Film Academy Short Course at Screen Cornwall
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.
This short course will be mainly held in person in Truro and Falmouth on Saturdays and during October half term with some online sessions taking place on Wednesday evenings.
Screen Cornwall is now accepting applications.
Course dates:
- Saturday 11 October 10:00-15:30 (Hall for Cornwall, Truro)
- Wednesday 15 October 18:00-19:00 (Online)
- Saturday 18 October 10:00-15:30 (School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus)
- Wednesday 22 October 18:00-19:00 (Online)
- Saturday 25 October 10:00-15:30 (Hall for Cornwall, Truro)
- Monday 27 October 09:30-17:30 (School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus)
- Tuesday 28 October 09:30 – 17:30 (School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus)
- Wednesday 29 October 09:30-15:30 (School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus)
- Saturday 8 November 09:30-15:30 (School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus)
- Wednesday 12 November 18:00-19:00 (Online)
- Saturday 15 November 10:00-15:30 (Truro)
- Saturday 29 November, screening event for cast, crew friends & family – timings TBC (Truro)
Applications close 12:00 Fri 26 September.
For more information, visit the Screen Cornwall website.
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.
