BFI Film Academy
BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for 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.
Visit BFI.orgAbout
Nerve Centre, the lead delivery partner for BFI Film Academy in Northern Ireland, offers a range of accessible activities, courses, workshops and events for those wanting to test the water, through to those keen to hone their skills including:
Supported by the UK government’s Department for Education, National Lottery, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.
Additional UK-wide BFI Film Academy activities, supported with National Lottery funding, include:
- Labs
- Scene
- Recommends
Break Into Film
With connections to acclaimed organisations like Warner Bros, BAFTA and BBC, and masterclasses with industry professionals from Curtis Brown, Hat Trick Productions and Screenskills, the BFI Film Academy has a strong track record of inspiring future filmmakers.
Alumni have gone on to work with Disney, HBO, Sky, and RTÉ, and many have completed residencies at the prestigious National Film and Television School.
Labs
BFI Film Academy Labs are practical online sessions led by industry professionals with a focus on explaining the specifics of working in the screen industries. Sessions can take many formats: masterclasses, panel discussions, interviews or workshops. The Labs are programmed across three strands: Storytelling, Business of Film and Career Ladder.
Recommends
BFI Film Academy Recommends are short and feature film recommendations for young, aspiring screen creatives aged 16–25.
Recent events at Nerve Centre include in conversations with Academy Award-winner Ross White (An Irish Goodbye), and the BFI Film Academy Recommends Young Filmmakers Showcase at Foyle Film Festival 2023.
Scene
BFI Film Academy Scene events are peer-to-peer interviews and networking events, which give young filmmakers opportunities to offer tips about storytelling, filmmaking and breaking into the industry, as well as meet other young screen creatives and potential collaborators for future projects.
Other Opportunities
BFI Film Academy also offer opportunities in curation and event management through the Young Programmers scheme, chances to attend screenings with Industry professionals at BFI Future Film Festival, and undergo training in script development through Screenwriting Intensives.
Meet the Team
Partners & Funders
BFI Film Academy Short Courses are delivered by Nerve Centre, Amma Centre and Cinemagic and supported by the UK government’s Department for Education, National Lottery, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.
Further BFI Film Academy opportunities in Northern Ireland are delivered by Nerve Centre on behalf of Film Hub NI and Queen’s Film Theatre. Supported by BFI awarding National Lottery funding.
