BFI Film Academy Short Course
BFI Film Academy Short Course is delivered by Broadway Cinema and is a free two-week filmmaking course for 16–19-year-olds in Nottingham running from Sat 11 Oct to Thu 20 Nov 2025.
During your two weeks, you’ll get stuck into every part of the filmmaking process: from writing and shooting to editing and screening your own short film at Broadway Cinema.
Midlands participants in the 2025–26 programme will unlock exclusive extra-curricular sessions, training, and opportunities - designed to boost skills, expand networks, and offer valuable insights beyond the core experience.
What You’ll Do:
- Learn how to use professional film kit
- Try out roles like directing, camera, sound, lighting, and editing
- Work in a team to make two short films with actors from The Television Workshop
- Pick up tips from people who work in film and TV
- Join extra online sessions to finish your edits
Who's it for?
To apply, you need to:
- Be aged 16–19 on the first day of the course
- Live in the UK
- Not be at university
- Not have done a BFI Film Academy course before
We’re also looking for applicants to have a real interest in film and a willingness to get involved and collaborate.
How Much Does It Cost?
The course is completely free. However, if the cost of travel is a barrier, we do have bursaries to help cover costs. We want everyone who’s passionate about film to have the chance to take part.
What Happens After?
At the end of the course, your films will be shown on the big screen at Broadway Cinema and you’ll also be part of a special event in March 2026 where films from across the East Midlands will be shown to an audience of filmmakers and industry guests.
How to Apply
Applications open on Fri 1 Aug and close on Sun 21 Sept, 11.45AM. To apply, you’ll just need to fill in a short form and tell us a bit about yourself and your interest in film. You can also share links to any creative work you’ve done.
Only 20 places are available, so it’s a good idea to come to one of our info sessions to get tips on applying.
Applicants must also be able to attend the course dates.
Not in Nottingham? Find out more about our East Midlands partners in Derby, Lincoln, and Corby
Want to Know More?
We’re running free info sessions this summer for young people, parents, and teachers. You’ll find out more about the course and how to apply.
You find out more registering to:
For Schools & Organisations
If you work with young people and want us to visit your school or centre to talk about the course, email Ella Townsend, Young Talent Coordinator, at filmacademy@broadway.org.uk
Where Can This Lead?
Past participants have gone on to work on huge productions like:
- Star Wars, Cruella; Andor (Disney+); The Crown
- House of the Dragon, No Time To Die, Adolescence;
- Matilda The Musical (Netflix); Wicked; Blitz;
- Boiling Point (BBC), Brassic (Sky), Without Sin (ITV); George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (C4)
"If you're nervous about applying or going on the course, you haven’t much to worry about, because you are in good hands. You're not expected to have all of the knowledge going into it, you are there to learn things. So don’t think you are not good enough to be there."
Harrison Toward, BFI Film Academy Short Course at Broadway Alumni 2018
BFI Film Academy Short Course delivered by Broadway Cinema on behalf of Film Hub Midlands is supported by the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and National Lottery.
