COURSE OVERVIEW
Take your first big leap into the Industry!
The NFTS is looking for talented filmmakers aged 16-19 years old to join our BFI Film Academy Craft Residential. If you're ready to take on a key role on a film you help create, then apply now!
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The NFTS is looking for talented filmmakers aged 16-19 years old to join our BFI Film Academy Craft Residential.
If you’re aged 16-19 and you are committed to working in the film industry, then this is the opportunity for you. We’re looking for 66 of the nation’s most promising young filmmakers to take part in a residential Film Academy project in which you will work with top industry professionals to make short films. You will also have masterclasses with top filmmakers and learn a craft specialism, such as directing or sound. The NFTS Film Academy is open to those who have enrolled on one of the regional film academies and to others who have the necessary talent and enthusiasm.
The craft specialisms we cover are:
- Directing
- Producing
- Screenwriting
- Cinematography
- Sound
- Editing
- Production Design
More information on the craft specialism roles is in this pdf.
For all specialisms: You will first attend an online weekend of activities on 9 and 10 March 2024. The main craft residential is then from Sunday 31 March 2024 to Thursday 11 April 2024 at the NFTS and you will stay at Moor Hall Hotel and Conference Centre nearby.
For screenwriting: There is a further element to your course. This runs on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December 2023, where you will be writing the scripts for the short films. You will then take part in the course elements detailed above.
If you want to take part you must be available for the relevant dates above.
The main Craft Residential itself largely takes place at two venues - the NFTS and Moor Hall Hotel and Conference Centre in Cookham, with excellent accommodation, facilities and grounds.
Online weekend: Saturday 9 March 2024 to Sunday 10 March 2024
The aims for this weekend are to meet the tutors and get participants used to each other, so that they can hit the ground running at the main residential, as well as establishing the six production teams in which the participants will work for the majority of the main Craft Residential. Teams will also work with their tutors on interpreting the script and agreeing a shooting script. By the end of the weekend NFTS production managers will have a clear idea of the requirements for the projects so that they can source actors, locations and props before the main craft residential commences.
Between the Online Weekend and the main Craft Residential, participants will join a closed Facebook group to continue dialogue about the projects.
Main Craft Residential: Sunday 31 March 2024 to Thursday 11 April 2024
There will be a masterclass programme across the 12 days, where film-makers come to the NFTS to share their experience and screen examples of their work. NFTS tutors will lead craft specialist workshops and there will be presentations and panels on the roles of sound, art direction, the film business and marketing. Much of the work will be in six production teams, planning the short films and later going out onto location to shoot, followed by two days editing. There will be a trip to London to visit both the Tate modern and the BFI Southbank in central London, where participants will have another masterclass from a filmmaker.
Meals and single room accommodation will be provided throughout the Craft Residential, with minibuses to take teams on location and coaches between the conference centre and the NFTS daily. On the final day, all participants will travel to the BFI South Bank in London for a screening of their finished short films for friends and family and industry representatives with an opportunity for networking thereafter.
To apply for this one-off opportunity you should:
- Be between the ages of 16 and 19 on the first day of the NFTS Film Academy residential programme (31 March 2024). You must be a UK resident and able to commit to the programme for its duration
- Have a passion or talent for filmmaking
- Have evidence of this talent in online material, such as videos which you have made or to which you have contributed
- Be committed to a career in the film industry
- Have someone who knows your work and is prepared to write a supporting reference (e.g. a teacher, industry professional or leader of one of the network film academies)
Craft residential participants should come from a wide range of backgrounds and we actively encourage applicants on this basis, aiming for a good gender balance, a diverse range of ethnic groups and to include participants with disabilities. Facilities are accessible to all and all necessary support can be in place for the start of the Craft Residential.
PLEASE NOTE that this course is not available to students enrolled on Higher education courses (University students).
Complete your application form by the appropriate deadline:
- Screenwriting – Applications are now closed
- All other crafts – Applications are now closed
You should select a first and second choice of craft specialism when you apply.
All applications are reviewed by the Project Lead and by other members of the selection team with film industry backgrounds.
Early submission of completed application forms is encouraged and forms will be looked at as they arrive.
Applications are closed for the 2024 BFI Film Academy - new dates will be published in the autumn for 2025.
Behind the Scenes
Alumni Network
Throughout the Craft Residential, participants will be encouraged to think forward to future opportunities. With the support of a designated alumni officer, you will develop a Professional Development Profile, prepare for future work experience and the opportunity for involvement in NFTS summer Graduate films. The alumni officer will work with industry partners to secure opportunities for the participants once the Craft Residential is over, including shadowing, placements, internships and apprenticeship opportunities. There will be further opportunities to attend events and showcase your work in the months after the craft residential.
Opportunities for alumni from previous residentials have included: working at film festivals, composing for and editing various short films; runners on the set of short films and music video, internships and working on NFTS graduate projects.
There have also been networking events at BAFTA, Creative England and Film London, and short films from the residential accepted for various festivals including Portobello, The Smalls and the British Urban film festivals, as well as a number of festivals abroad.