Budding screenwriters! Learn from the best at our BFI Film Academy Screenwriting Intensive
Applications are open for the third annual BFI Film Academy Screenwriting Intensive programme delivered by Nerve Centre in Northern Ireland, running from 17–22 July 2023. This intensive week-long industry-led programme guides budding screenwriters aged 16–25 through everything they will need to break into the world of writing for film and television.
Guided by industry mentors, participants will collaborate on a selection of brand-new short film screenplays. These screenplays will then be pitched to an industry panel with one being selected for production and the others receiving special further development including budgetary guidance and professional script notes.
Throughout the course participants will receive exclusive masterclasses from some of the top names from the TV and film industry. In previous years the Screenwriting Intensive programme has hosted exclusive sessions with Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn (Blue Lights, The Salisbury Poisonings), Brendan Mullin (Writer/Producer The Boys from County Hell), Anna Hinds (Development Producer Hattrick Productions), BBC Writersroom, Northern Ireland Screen, Gallagher Films, Zodiak Kids, Curtis Brown Literary Agents and many more.
The programme is supported by the National Lottery as part of the BFI Film Academy which offers opportunities for ambitious 16–25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to learn more about film and establish a career in the screen industries. Film Programmes Manager at Nerve Centre Eavan King says:
“Thanks to National Lottery funding, we are delivering BFI Film Academy activity that reaches right across Northern Ireland to make sure that visible, accessible and attainable pathways into the screen industries are available to every young person from every background, right here and now in Northern Ireland. Already we are seeing talented alumni from BFI Film Academy as part of the success stories of film and television made in NI. Many alumni use our opportunities to really kick start their careers in the screen industries by developing their business, networking and creative skills through this programme. Better still, our alumni come back to mentor and support the next generations of talent quickly coming through”.
As well as a detailed look at the screenwriting and collaborative process through our writers room workshops, participants will be given insight into the working industry and what pathways are out there to guide their career development through the masterclass series. The Screenwriting Intensive also provides an excellent chance to network with industry experts and meet possible future collaborators.
Previous participants have been glowing in their praise. Screenwriting Intensive alumni Hannah commented:
“The lab has helped me develop my career as it gave me the opportunity to take part in writers rooms and gain knowledge from industry professionals. Writers’ rooms are a huge part of my chosen career path and getting the chance to be involved in one this early was truly wonderful.”
The BFI Film Academy Screenwriting Intensive is free and open to anyone aged 16–25 in Northern Ireland and will initially take place online via Zoom with a final in-person showcase and networking session at Nerve Centre.
It will run from Monday 17– Saturday 22 July 2023.
Deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 7 July 2023.
If you are interested in applying, please fill out the form via the link:
BFI Film Academy Script Intensive Application
BFI Film Academy Screenwriting Intensive is delivered by Nerve Centre in partnership with Queens Film Theatre on behalf of Film Hub NI, and made possible thanks to National Lottery funding.
For more information on the BFI Film Academy events delivered by Nerve Centre.
