BFI Film Academy

BFI Film Academy

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!

BFI Film Academy Specialist Courses logo

Charles on location with clapperboard

“The NFTS Craft Residential gave me the support I needed as a budding filmmaker. Without a doubt I wouldn’t be where I am today working in the industry if not for NFTS and the Craft Residential.”

Charles Strider
BFI Film Academy participant 2019

Content Tabs

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.

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.