The BFI Film Academy Short Courses helps to train and inspire the next generation of filmmakers, supporting young people aged 16 to 19 to develop the commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to help make a career in film.
BFI Film Academy offers young people passionate about film a chance to learn together, working in production teams to create short films in an industry led environment. BFI Film Academy short courses are supported by the Department for Education in England, the National Lottery, Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Masterclasses with industry professionals during the course offer insight into careers and the working life of the Screen Industries. Previous masterclass speakers include cinematographers Seamus McGarvey (Avengers Assemble, Atonement), Damien Elliot (Zoo, The Survivalist), Director Mat Whitecross (Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams, The Kings), Producer Ivanna MacKinnion (Slumdog Millionaire), Writer Stuart Drennan (The Dig), Costume Department Enda Kenny (Krypton, Game of Thrones), Editor Helen Sheridan (Line of Duty).
BFI Film Academy Alumni go on to work and train in the screen industries with previous participants working in the fields of directing and producing, VFX, animation and sound design. Alumni join the growing BFI Film Academy network supporting young people up to the age of 25 with access to talent labs, Industry masterclasses and networking events.
The course is an accredited NCFE level 2 Preparing to Work in the Film Industry qualification. This qualification has been driven by the needs of industry and education partners.
To apply you must:
● be aged 16 to 19-years-old on the first day of the course
● be a UK resident
● have a passion or talent for filmmaking and an ambition to work in the film industry
● be able to commit to the duration of the course
● not currently be at university or enrolled at university when the course starts
● not have previously enrolled on a BFI Film Academy course
Any evidence you have of your passion or talent will help your application. The course is open to young people from anywhere in Northern Ireland with BFI Film Academies based in Armagh, Belfast and Derry-Londonderry. No academic education or degree is necessary and the AmmA Centre welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and intersectionality across ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstances.
Candidates must be available for all dates of the programme. The Academy will take place on Thursday evenings, with scheduled Saturday sessions, from Thursday 29th September to Thursday 8th December. If a paper application form is required or if you have any queries please contact bfi@ammacentre.org.
The deadline to apply for 2022 BFI Film Academy is MONDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2022 AT 5PM.
The course is open to young people from anywhere in Northern Ireland with BFI Film Academies based in Armagh, Belfast and Derry-Londonderry. Please apply to a venue that is most suitable to your location:
Run Times:
AmmA, Armagh
In venue: Thursdays | 5pm–8.30pm
In venue (occasional): Saturdays | 10am–4pm
Nerve Centre, Odyssey Pavilion, Belfast
Online & In venue: Thursdays | 4:30pm-8.30pm
Occasional Saturday sessions
Nerve Centre, Derry-Londonderry
Online via Zoom: Thursdays | 4.30pm-8.30pm
In venue (occasional): Saturdays | 10.30am-4.30pm
+ FUNDERS
BFI Film Academy is supported by the Department for Education in England, the National Lottery, Creative Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.
