BFI
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Are you aged 16 - 19? Are you interested in pursuing your passion for film and seeing where it can take you?
BFI Film Academy offers opportunities to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries. As a student on the Film Academy short course, you’ll gain hands-on filmmaking experience, working alongside industry professionals to develop practical knowledge and skills. On the seven day course you’ll get to make two short films, watch films, receive career signposting, work towards a recognised Arts Award qualification and receive career masterclasses.
The cost is likely to be £25 but if you will struggle to find this then talk to us.
We welcome and encourage applications from people; with disabilities, who are LGBTQIA+, from lower socio-economic backgrounds, from ethnically diverse communities, and from other disadvantaged groups. We want to prioritise people under-represented in our workforce and in the industry. Bursaries are available for travel and other expenses such as care or support costs.
Eligibility for short courses, in order to apply you must:
be aged 16 to 19-years-old on the first day of the course (applicants who are in receipt of an EHC plan (an education, health and care plan) may be recruited up to 25 years old)
be a UK resident
have a passion or talent for filmmaking and an ambition to work in the screen industries
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
BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious 16-25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries. As each course is likely to have more people apply than available places, any evidence you have of your passion or talent will help your application. Every course is open to young people from anywhere in the UK and from any background. No academic education or degree is necessary.
Previous masterclass speakers include Harry Potter Editor Mick Audsley, Award winning Filmmaker Sophie Littman and Filmmaker and Company Founder Stephanie Castelete-Tyrrell.
BFI Film Academy Short Course are delivered at locations across the UK and supported by the Department for Education, National Lottery, Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen introductory hands-on filmmaking courses build knowledge and skills and show the different pathways into the industry. For talented and committed young people aged 16-19, short courses have an excellent track record of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew.
Short Film Commission 2023
Thanks to support from BFI Film Academy South West and Watershed, for helping us to commission another young filmmaker to produce an original short film!
We are delighted to announce that Jasmine Otley was successful and is already in production on ‘65p’, a live action and animated short inspired by climate change. The film will be premiered later this year. Jasmine is definitely one to watch for the future.
Last year’s successful filmmakers - James Gardner and Ralph Hutchins - had their work screened at Scott Cinema before going on to be screened at the Watershed, Bristol and entered into film festivals around the world. To read more about what happened last year scroll to the bottom.
BFI Film Club
Are you 12 - 15 years old, interested in film and want to learn how to make your own films?
BFI Film Club in Minehead took place during October 2022 and February 2023. It was led by professional filmmakers and was a fantastic opportunity to learn about scriptwriting, cinematography, lighting, video editing and acting. The final films were screened for friends and family at the Regal Theatre in Minehead.
“My Son had the best time ever and it has really helped him start thinking seriously about all the different careers in the film industry. This truly was an amazing opportunity that you afforded to the young people of Minehead” – Samantha, parent of participant.
BFI Film Club was FREE thanks to funding from the BFI through The National Lottery. We hope to be able to offer this activity again in the future. Sign up to our ebulletin to ensure you don’t miss out on details of this or other opportunities in the future.
“When my friends in film ask for advice on where to start in the industry, I always refer them to the BFI Film Academy.”
- Sam
“I have hugely benefited from attending the BFI Film Academy, not only from the skills I was taught, but the confidence and
motivation they passed on to me.”
- Rosie
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My experience with the BFI Film Academy was amazing and will forever be some of my fondest memories. I attended the academy in October 2016 at Somerset Film, because I was studying photography, drama and creative media production for A Levels and I wanted to explore the world of filmmaking. The academy brought all these interests together and ignited my passion for filmmaking. Over the course, we worked through every stage of creating a film from writing, producing, filming, editing, and releasing the final product. The team at Somerset Film made the process entertaining and fascinating. Because of that course, I fell in love with the industry and the career I wanted to pursue.
With a lot of support from the BFI Film academy, I went on to attend the BFI craft residential academy held at the National Film and Television school (NFTS) in London. On that residential, I was able to apply all the skills I learnt from the academy as I worked with my group to create a short film which was premiered at BFI Southbank.
I then went on to be a production intern at a film company in London and working as a bursary student at Somerset Film where I had opportunity to assist on the 2018 BFI Film Academy.
I also have studied for a degree in Creative Writing with The Open University part time so to help me enhance my scriptwriting skills while also having the time to work on my career. Furthermore, I have constantly made films and videos from professional successful ones to silly personal ones I kept making people laugh.
This is all led to my current position of Learning Advisor at NHS Somerset Foundation Trust. Now, this may not sound like a filmmaking role, but it is! I work in the Learning and Development department of the trust and my role is creating learning resources. This is mainly making videos and films such as training videos, role plays, promotional films. These films range from professional and educational to inspiring and emotional, so I am constantly using my creativity. I have work with NHS staff to a create an engaging video from their prompt/idea and for every project, I use the nearly the exact same process I learnt at the BFI Film Academy in 2016.
So, I have hugely benefited from attending the BFI Film Academy, not only from the skills I was taught, but the confidence and motivation they passed on to me. There are millions of opportunities in filmmaking so you can pursue it as a career. I have had so many wonderful opportunities and I have lots of more in future, all because of the BFI Film Academy.
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The BFI Film Academy course I went on, for me at least, was a turning point in my career, as college was an environment where I learnt a lot of theory and contextual side of film. The BFI gave me an opportunity to learn about the practical side of the industry works and how I can thrive in it.
I was introduced to new roles in the industry I have not learnt about before and I’m now pursuing to this day. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who have similar goals to you is one of the most benefiting environment I’ve encountered in my career.
Through the BFI I’ve had amazing opportunities, some of have been freelancing jobs, and I am now employed under Warner Brothers because of the BFI Alumni signposting and support. When some of my friends in film ask for advice on where to start in the industry, I always refer them to the BFI as it is The smoothest transition into the industry that I have encountered.
I am now working for Warner Brothers starting off as a Covid Marshall on a major motion picture in London, this means I’ll be taken care of 40 SA’s to provide a safe and calming environment. This should hopefully help me get to know a lot of people on set very well and climb the ladder of the industry. One day I wish to become a First Assistant Director, a role I only became aware of because of the BFI.
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I attended the BFI Film Academy in 2016, at The Engine Room. I was fervently seeking any film-related opportunities I could get my hands on at the time, and I was over the moon when I received an email informing me I had been accepted onto the programme. From start to finish it was both an incredibly fun and valuable experience. It was also where I made my first ever group project! After years of making my little sister play dead bodies in horror movies set on my Dad's building sites, it was thrilling to carry out a role as part of a bigger team.
Practically speaking the programme helped me with my application to Weymouth College to study a diploma in Film and Television. More importantly, it reinvigorated and refuelled my dreams of turning filmmaking into a career. The programme was one of the first times I had met anyone who was paid to make movies. I thought, okay cool, if they can do it, why not me?
After university, I worked as a Sustainability Officer at Apple TV, and then a Sustainability Coordinator at Warner Brothers on a TV series and feature film respectively. These were production based roles (the team responsible for keeping the money moving and making everything happen) where I was responsible for assessing the most destructive production processes (generators, travel, fabric and paints, waste, food and all of that fun stuff), devising a plan to reduce their impact and then carrying them out (sometimes successfully!). I worked with various shooting departments and other more boring people like legal teams, accountants and BAFTA. Any plans I concocted, I would have to fight to get approved and funded by producers and studio execs. I now work at a small production company as a producer/ director of adverts, music videos and documentaries.
“It opened my eyes to the impact of editing and how each individual will make something different from yourself. Skip to the present day and I'm now editing Factual TV shows. I think the BFI Film Academy left its impression on me.” - Max
“BFI Film Academy helped me with my application to Weymouth College to study a diploma in Film and Television. More importantly, it reinvigorated and refuelled my dreams of turning filmmaking into a career.” - Lily
“Through networking on this course, I had the opportunity to gain work experience as a Location Marshall for a production called ‘Black Cake’ which was being filmed in Wales. It was truly an amazing experience, which solidified for me that I definitely want to get in the film industry.”
- Morgan
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I was lucky enough to be accepted into the BFI Film Academy with Somerset Film in October 2022. I learnt so much from it and met some lovely, like-minded people, some of who I’m still in contact with. This course has helped me grow as an individual and fuelled my passion and motivation further.
Through networking on this course, I had the opportunity to gain work experience as a Location Marshal for a production called ‘Black Cake’ which was being filmed in Wales. It was truly an amazing experience, which solidified for me that I definitely want to get in the film industry.
After BFI Film Academy they signpost you opportunities specifically for BFI Alumni. Through this I applied for the National Film and Television School (NFTS) Craft Residential in Production Design, which I have been selected to attend. I’m very excited for this next step!
“The first day was a invaluable, learning how to use the equipment, sharing ideas, then creating a short film in a small group to screening it just few hours after.”
- Ben
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My first interaction with Somerset Film was through BFI Film Academy which they ran on the weekends in Bridgwater. The academy worked well with college and work commitments. The first day was a invaluable, learning how to use the equipment, sharing ideas, then creating a short film in a small group to screening it just few hours after.
I am currently studying Creative Digital and Graphic Design degree at the University Centre Somerset, part of the course requires 60 hours work experience which was completed with Somerset Film at The Engine Room. I always knew I could contact Somerset Film in the future after completing the BFI Film Academy. I didn’t know what to expect, but there’s been so much to get involved with during my work experience placement; running a live green screen activity, analogue filmmaking, cameraless filmmaking, writing film reviews and digitising 8mm film. I also submitted a script idea for a short film commission callout. I developed my knowledge of editing with Final Cut Pro, along with my photography skills through a photoshoot with Daniel, Somerset Film Creative Technologist and Kate, Somerset Film Board of Trustee.
Being in a workplace rather than a university environment has been really beneficial for me. I feel more connected to Somerset Film, and it’s given me more opportunities for the future, it was nice to come back.
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The BFI Film Academy short course helped me connect with other local young filmmakers. It also helped me to confirm what roles I was interested in pursuing. I learned a lot on this course about all sorts of different roles and topics in the industry, which has helped guide me to where I am
today.
I had such a positive, welcoming and inspiring experience on the BFI Film Academy short course. All the tutors were so informative and professional, helping me to navigate and understand what was a very new side of the industry to me at the time.
Although it was all online due to COVID-19, I still feel like I had so many learning opportunities available to me. I feel this situation actually helped me to think more creatively and outside the box, as we were quite restricted in terms of locations and actors when making our films.
I really enjoyed all the workshops, film screenings and script meetings too. Everything was so in-depth and well taught. I really couldn’t recommend this course enough!
After completing the BFI Film Academy short course, Somerset Film gave me valuable and honest feedback on my short film scripts and edits, which greatly helped me going forward.
During the Summer of 2021, I shot my first short film ‘On My Level.’ Somerset Film really helped and supported me throughout the whole process and were always happy to offer me some help and advice. They even let me screen my finished film to the cast, crew, family and friends at The Engine Room.
Most recently I have wrapped on directing another short film ‘She Will Play On’ and am currently in pre-production on my next short ‘DNR’. Somerset Film has continued to support and mentor me throughout the last few years on all my projects so far, which I am so grateful for.
I continued to pursue writing and directing, and am now also beginning to take on script supervising.
“The BFI Film Academy course was very beneficial for me, I gained experience in every element of production in a non-judgemental environment. I learnt everything from how to storyboard, to how to operate a camera, and then how to colour grading the footage!”
- Imogen
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Hi, my name is Imogen and I did the BFI Film Academy course with Somerset Film in 2019.
I’m currently in my 3rd year at Falmouth University studying Television, where I am producing a short film called ‘Bell Tolls’, along with producing and directing a series of short adverts for independent businesses in Falmouth.
Taking part in the BFI Film Academy course with Somerset Film helped me hugely when applying to university as I had experience that I wasn’t able to get from college.
When I graduate I hope to eventually become a Production Manager, as I love to organise things and be apart of the pre-production process.
The BFI Film Academy course was very beneficial for me, I gained experience in every element of production in a non-judgemental environment. I learnt everything from how to storyboard, to how to operate a camera, and then how to colour grading the footage! Not only did I gain lots of knowledge from this course, but I got to meet so many inspiration people who were already in the industry, while working and make connections with people who had the same interests and creative passion as me!
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I attended the BFI Film Academy in 2013 while doing a bursary with Somerset Film at The Engine Room. It was fantastic! The BFI Film Academy gave me an opportunity to experience all the processes of making a film, from pre-production, production and into post. I cannot stress enough how important it is for any aspiring filmmaker to understand all of these aspects, it gave me the chance to understand how a film is made in an environment that felt comfortable, safe and secure. During the editing stage we all had a chance to edit the film, even though we had the same footage I couldn't get over how different everyone's cut was. It opened my eyes to the impact of editing and how each individual will make something different from yourself. Skip to the present day and I'm now editing Factual TV shows. I think the BFI Film Academy left its impression on me...
After the BFI Film Academy I got the chance to go on the residential BFI FIlm Academy at the NFTS (National Film and Television School) in London. We got to make a short film with professional cameras, using professional actors on professional sets. On top of this we also got training from the best people in the business including the late Brain Tufano who shot Trainspotting and Shallow Grave and we got Q&As with incredible directors and producers such as Edgar Wright who directed Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had in film and TV and it boosted my confidence. From this I got into university and afterwards I found my way into a production company. A couple of years ago I finally got a chance to edit on a well known factual series. I'm now a freelance TV editor editing shows for all the major broadcasters.
The BFI Film Academy paved the way to my editing career and it can do the same for you. So for anyone deciding if they should apply, you never know who you will meet, what experiences you will gain and where it will take you. So pick up your camera, dust off your keyboard and take the chance to apply, it'll be worth it!
Young Filmmakers Commissions 2022
In 2022 Somerset Film, BFI Film Academy South West and Watershed offered two short film commissions to filmmakers aged under 25 to mark 25 years since the incorporation of Somerset Film. Of the many applications that were submitted, the judging panel decided to award the commissions to Ralph Hutchins of Taunton and James Gardner of Brent Knoll. The judging panel included writer Helen Thompson, Bex Rose BFI Academy South West, and Producer Pip Harris.
Somerset Film Creative Director Deb Richardson said: “It’s a real challenge to find ideas that can work in just a few pages and we were delighted to read so many fantastic proposals. James and Ralph’s scripts really stood out. They explore ideas around climate change and both reflect aspects of life in Somerset.”
Bex Rose said: “What stood out to me about these two scripts in particular was the visual storytelling and how I could picture them as I read them. I’m excited to see how the scripts develop into the finished films.”
Ralph and James received cash towards production costs, access to equipment, and professional mentoring, and worked hard over the Summer to bring their scripts to life, all of which payed off on Thursday 1st December 2022 at the premiere of their two short films at the recently opened Scott Cinema in Northgate Yard, Bridgwater.
Bonfires’ is written and directed by Ralph Hutchins and tells the story of Oscar and the illegal burning of waste, while ‘Southfield Hill’ is written and directed by James Gardner and explores our changing landscape through housing development.
The film premieres were part of a larger celebration marking 25 years of Somerset Film which also saw a hive of activities and performances at the Engine Room in Bridgwater. ‘Finch’ scriptwriter Craig Luck, who began his film career at Somerset Film said: “What a fantastic evening! I’m thrilled to have been a part of it. How exciting that the opportunity for new filmmakers is growing.
James and Ralph are now in the process of entering various film festivals, so watch this space!
