We are delivering BFI Film Academy for the 12th year!
We are excited to be running the BFI Film Academy Short Course for the 12th year! Are you 16-19 years old? Are you interested in pursuing your passion for film and seeing where it can take you? Then BFI Film Academy Short Course is a fantastic opportunity for you!
The BFI is once again working in partnership with Somerset Film, to deliver an exciting, action-packed, comprehensive filmmaking short course for young creatives in Somerset! This is an excellent first step on the ladder for young, aspiring filmmakers looking to work in the film and media industry. The cohort will make films, receive masterclasses from industry professionals and receive career support, whilst working towards a nationally recognised Arts Award qualification. It’s also a great opportunity to find out about the many and varied roles in the film industry: from set design to electrical, from finance to casting.
Guest speakers for the 2023/24 Academy include Jeremy DeCoursey, who was the Locations Manager for the recent TV series Lockwood & Co and has worked on feature films such as The Batman, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Paddington and Fast & Furious 6.
Plus James Holcombe, a filmmaker with decades of experience in photochemical film production. He will explore filmmaking and processing film with a Bolex camera in a 16mm Masterclass.
Along with Lily Limmer who will discuss the importance of sustainability filmmaking in productions and good environmental practices. She has worked as a Sustainability Officer at Apple TV, and then a Sustainability Coordinator at Warner Brothers on a TV series and feature film respectively. She now works at a small production company as a Producer / Director of adverts, music videos and documentaries.
Previous BFI Film Academy cohorts were treated to an editing masterclass with Mick Audsley, the Editor for blockbuster feature films such as; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Murder on the Orient Express, and Everest.
The students also experienced a casting masterclass with Casting Director Hannah Marie Williams who has over 10 years’ experience from all corners of the industry and has worked on features such as Tarzan, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, War Machine, and Beast.
They even had the opportunity to have a Q&A session with Catherine Goldschmidt BSC (British Society of Cinematographers), the Cinematographer for the TV Series House of the Dragon, Doctor Who, and Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson.
Laura French, Assistant Producer and BFI Film Academy Short Course Co-ordinator said, “We are passionate about giving young filmmakers opportunities in Somerset. The BFI Film Academy gives them hands-on experience, and knowledge to pursue their creative direction in the film industry.
We have built up our BFI Film Academy Short Course Alumni network over the past 11 years, and we always love to hear their success stories, you can as well by visiting the BFI page of our website.”
BFI Film Academy Short Courses are supported by the Department, National Lottery funding awarded by the BFI, Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.