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The world of documentary storytelling is dynamic, varied, and creatively demanding, requiring a broad range of skills to effectively contribute to the production process. Documentary filmmakers often collaborate closely with producers, technicians, editors, and contributors, shaping real-life narratives into compelling stories. From research and pre-production to filming and post-production, the role demands versatility, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
Meanwhile, documentary filmmaking as an individual creator offers both freedom and responsibility. Working solo allows for greater creative control, but it also requires mastering every aspect of the production process—from research and planning to shooting and editing. For independent filmmakers, the ability to manage storytelling, logistics, and technical execution alone is essential to capturing authentic, powerful narratives.
This new Certificate in Documentary Filmmaking course, launched for the first time in Scotland, aims to support aspiring and emerging early career filmmakers in this process.
Filmmakers will be asked to come with a specific idea which explores health as a core aspect of being human. You may consider this in its broadest contexts including scientific, therapeutic and personal perspectives on how physical, mental and emotional well-being shape our experience of life and reflecting our evolving understanding of what it means to thrive as humans. The course encourages experimentation and aims to enable each filmmaker to develop their individual style and vision within this thematic context.
To find out more join the Online Open Day on Wednesday 5th February.
Through a mix of in-person classroom seminars and workshop exercises, culminating in the production of their own short project, participants will learn essential techniques in documentary narrative and exposition, cinematography for documentary and post-production, as well as the principles and value of identifying an audience and dissemination.
The course will be led by an experienced award-winning documentary filmmaker and educator, supported by a range of practicing filmmakers and industry practitioners as guest tutors and mentors.
This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.
We are looking for aspiring and early career filmmakers who are enthusiastic and keen to work hard as part of an intensive learning and making programme. You should have a good general education and ability to communicate your ideas in English, but there are no other formal educational requirements. Previous experience working in the film or television industry would be an advantage, or knowledge gained from an alternative production activity, for example, a university or college media course project.
It is, however, not essential that you are already shooting and editing your own films, but you will come to the programme with a strong sense of an idea you wish to develop into a film and the underpinning technical ability to grasp the essentials to do so during the course.
If you have any questions, please email scotland@nfts.co.uk
Please complete the online application form above.
If you have any questions, please contact scotland@nfts.co.uk
Applications will close at midnight on the day of the deadline, shown at the top of this page.
To find out more join the Online Open Day on Wednesday 5th February.
