BFI Film Academy Short Courses delivered by Screen Cornwall

BFI Film Academy

The British Film Institute (BFI) Film Academy, supported by the Department for Education, National Lottery, Screen Scotland, and Northern Ireland Screen, offers unique opportunities for aspiring filmmakers aged 16-25 across the UK.

BFI Film Academy Short Courses

The BFI Film Academy's Short Courses, designed for 16-19 year olds, provide hands-on introductory experience and industry insights, paving the way for careers in the screen industries. These short courses help train and inspire the next generation of UK filmmakers, supporting young people aged 16–19 to develop the commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to help make a career in film. Courses are delivered across the UK with four hosted in the South West region.

BFI Film Academy Short Courses in the South West region

Funded by the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and National Lottery, this programme is part of the BFI Film Academy Short Course, South West Consortium. A BFI funded programme delivered by Watershed in partnership with Somerset Film, City Eye and Screen Cornwall

BFI Film Academy Short Course 2025 delivered by Screen Cornwall, in partnership with Falmouth University and Hall for Cornwall

Screen Cornwall is seeking young people aged 16-19, who have a passion for film, to participate in the BFI Film Academy Short Course in 2025.

This short course will be mainly held in person in Truro and Falmouth on Saturdays and during October half term with some online sessions taking place on Wednesday evenings. The short course will be delivered by the Screen Cornwall team and staff from Falmouth University, along with other industry professionals. Our aim is to provide a fun, hands-on experience making a film that will start to build the skills and knowledge needed for the next generation of Cornish filmmakers.

The course offers filmmaking workshops allowing you to contribute to making a short film from start to finish, learning everything from development, production, post-production and festivals/distribution as you are guided through the process and shown the different pathways to a career in the film industry. 

On completing the course, you will have your film screened to an audience of friends, family and industry professionals. 

All courses are totally FREE to attend and travel bursaries are available.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER AT 12 NOON

As a student on the course you can expect to: 

• Receive introductory practical training in cinematography, sound, art department, directing, producing, post-production and distribution

• Meet a range of professionals in the industry and gain invaluable advice based on their experience 

• Take on a crew role on a scripted short and work with your team to prep, shoot and finish the film

• Get your short film premiered at a professional venue 

• Meet like-minded individuals with a passion for film and start building your filmmaking network

Course dates:

• Saturday 11th October 10am - 3.30pm: Hall for Cornwall, Truro

• Wednesday 15th October 6pm - 7pm: Online

• Saturday 18th October 10am - 3.30pm: School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus

• Wednesday 22nd October 6pm - 7pm: Online

• Saturday 25th October 10am - 3.30pm: Hall for Cornwall, Truro

• Monday 27th October 9.30am - 5.30pm: School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus

• Tuesday 28th October 9.30am - 5.30pm : School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus

• Wednesday 29th October 9.30am - 3.30pm: School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus

• Saturday 8th November 9.30am - 3.30pm: School of Film & TV, Falmouth University Penryn campus

• Wednesday 12th November 6pm - 7pm: Online

• Saturday 15th November 10am - 3.30pm: Truro

• Saturday 29th November, screening event for cast, crew friends & family - timings TBC: Truro

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

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 but you do not need any previous experience of filmmaking.

BFI Film Academy Short Course 2023: Nurturing Cornwall's Future Filmmakers 

From October to December 2023, Screen Cornwall, in partnership with Falmouth University’s School of Film & Television, delivered the BFI Film Academy Short Course to 15 young people from across the region. This intensive programme took place at Krowji in Redruth, with additional sessions at the Penryn campus post-production facilities. 

The course allowed participants to contribute to making a short film from concept to completion, learning everything from pre-production, production, post-production, and what steps you need to take to build a career in the screen sector. Course highlights included workshops covering all aspects of filmmaking and contact with over 10 industry professionals, along with production of two short films. 

Following an open-call for script submissions and a table-read with professional actors the Short Course participants selected two scripts by local writers for production: 

"Tabula Rasa" by Daniel Goodwin, a poignant exploration of grief and healing following 19-year-old artist Sophie as she navigates life after her mother's passing. 

"Backstage Rituals" by Alex M.J Smith, a comedy-drama focusing on anxious bassist Izzy and manipulative band manager Simon as they grapple with a crisis involving their lead singer. 

The program culminated in a screening at The Plaza Cinema in Truro, showcasing the students' work to an audience of cast, course mentors, family & friends. Most participants also earned the NCFE Level 2 Award in 'Preparing to Work in the Film Industry'. 

Feedback focused on the practical and industry-focused aspects of the course: “It was really interesting to hear professionals speaking because although you learn film at college we don’t often have directors come in - to listen to that and then go and do it ourselves was really helpful.”  

The experience also helped some of the participants take their next steps into filmmaking careers or study:  

“I’m going to be looking to work in film and fitting in any place I can fit into to find out what really works best for me. I feel like knowing a bit more about it now will definitely help me in making that decision and I think this course has been a vital part to that decision.” 

This successful iteration of the BFI Film Academy Short Course continues its tradition of inspiring and equipping the next generation of filmmakers, with a specific focus on nurturing the next generation of Cornish filmmaking talent.