About BFI Film Academy

A range of accessible activities, courses, workshops and events offer opportunities for those wanting to test the water through to those keen to hone their skills.

The BFI Film Academy offer in Northern Ireland includes:

  • Short Courses in Film Production
  • LAB Industry Led Events
  • SCENE Networking Events
  • RECOMMENDS Screening Events
  • Specialist Residential Opportunities (UK wide)
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About our Short Courses

The BFI Film Academy short courses are 12 week production courses to help train and inspire the next generation of filmmakers, supporting young people aged 16–19 years to develop the skills, and commercial and cultural knowledge to help develop a career in film. Students who are passionate about film learn together, working in production teams to create short films in an industry led environment.

Masterclasses with industry professionals during the course offer insight into careers and the working life of the screen industries. The programme is Industry accredited with an opportunity to attend specialist residential programmes across the UK.

Past graduates have gone on to work for Disney, BBC, HBO, Sky and RTE.

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How to Apply

Applications for BFI Film Academy open in late summer, with academies beginning in October, and are delivered by Creative Learning Centres. Applicants can choose locations in Derry~Londonderry or Belfast through Nerve Centre, or in Armagh through the AmmA Centre.

The course runs for 12 weeks full-time from October to December each year.

Applicants must be aged 16–19 years old, be a UK resident, not be enrolled at university when the course starts or not have previously enrolled on a BFI Film Academy course.

We welcome all applicants who have a passion or talent for filmmaking, an ambition to work in the film industry and who are able to commit to the duration of the course.

Deadline: 5pm Monday 12 September 2022

Apply for Derry~Londonderry location.

Apply for Belfast location.

Apply for Armagh location.

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Camera workshops & demonstrations
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Technical on set experiences
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BFI Film Academy Venue Education Fund Programme

We offer a series of events to support young creatives up to the age of 25 that want to progress further into the screen industries by connecting them to production and exhibition opportunities through the BFI Network and BFI FAN network.

Funders

BFI Film Academy is supported by the Department for Education in England, the National Lottery, Creative Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

BFI Film Academy Venue Education Fund is delivered in Northern Ireland by Nerve Centre in partnership with Queens Film Theatre and Film Hub NI. The programme is part of the UK-wide BFI Film Academy programme and is supported using funds from the National Lottery.