BFI FILM ACADEMY INTRODUCTORY COURSE SCARBOROUGH 

Double Tap, made by participants of the BFI Film Academy Short Course Scarborough, 2024

• WHO: 16-19 year olds (up to 25 with an EHCP - Education, Health and Care Plan)

• COST: 100% FREE (bursaries for travel & other costs)

• WHERE: Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

• WHEN: October half term 2026

• EXPERIENCE NEEDED: NONE!

Want to work in the film and TV industry but not sure where to start? Can you imagine your name rolling in the credits? We can and we're here to help make that happen! 

Whether you're interested in the creative, technical or business side of film and television, we work alongside our BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and the Humber Hub to connect young people aged 16-25 looking to get started in the film and TV industry with training opportunities, industry connections and career support closer to home. 

Our BFI Film Academy Introductory Course Scarborough offers a hands-on, collaborative filmmaking experience, with a strong focus on developing technical and transferable skills. You'll have fun with filmmaking processes, meet like-minded people, get top tips from experienced filmmakers and gain confidence as you learn and work as part of a short film crew. 

Many of our former Academy members are included in the credits of numerous films and TV shows and it all started by completing our simple application form. 

Can you see yourself in those credits now?

GET HANDS-ON

• Be guided through the filmmaking process by industry professionals

• Have access to industry standard equipment and facilities

• Learn practical crew skills for technical roles in camera, lighting and sound

BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

• Work collaboratively to shoot high-quality, professional scene studies and build technical assets for your portfolio/showreel

• Watch and discuss films to help develop your own filmmaking

• Be supported to put your ideas and stories on film

• Work alongside, and gain top tips for success, from industry professionals

OPEN INDUSTRY DOORS

• Become a Member of the BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and the Humber Hub and get access to networking opportunities, year-round activities and personalised support to help you build skills, grow your confidence and take your next steps towards a career in film and TV 

• Understand the current hot topics in film production

• Make great new connections and industry contacts

• Earn verified Google Digital Badges to showcase your technical filmmaking skills and set-ready experience to future employers, universities and industry networks, backed up with an official certificate of achievement from the BFI 

Having completed a BFI Film Academy Introductory course, you receive automatic Membership to a free year-round programme of activity designed to to help you continue to build your skills, grow your confidence and take your next step towards a career in film and TV. The 2026/27 programme includes: 

• Additional training opportunities and courses

• On-set and studio-based film production and exhibition placements

• Industry sessions about hot topics you need to know led by leading industry experts

• Career workshops focused on CV writing and working as a freelancer

• Access to networking events and opportunities to support you to grow your network within the industry

• Film festival visits

• And lots more!

The next BFI Film Academy Introductory Course in Scarborough will run during the last week of October 2026 during the half term holidays at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. The year-round BFI Film Academy Yorkshire & the Humber Hub membership programme will run throughout the year and into 2027, mainly on weekends, evenings or outside of term time. 

The theatre is handily located opposite the train station and the main bus stop for routes into, and out of, Scarborough. We may use additional locations where needed (for shoot day, etc), but these will all be within walking distance of the theatre. Elements of the Introductory course and year-round membership programme will be delivered online but most sessions will be face to face. 

Please apply as soon as you can - use the button at the top of the page or click on this link 

It's a short and simple online application form and includes our BFI Film Academy Introductory Course Scarborough dates. Please try and attend all the dates to get the most out of the course - our application form gives you the option to let us know about any dates that you are unable to attend. 

Top tip - try and copy and save your answers for reference, this is also useful if you don't want to complete the application form in one go. 

We want to remove barriers in applying - paper copies of the application form are available and we accept video or spoken word applications too.  If we can help or you need support completing your application, please get in touch (bfifilmacademy@reelsolutions.uk). We're also more than happy to answer any questions about the process or course.

The film and TV industry is constantly changing, and we embrace new technology on our courses. It’s totally okay to use AI to help you organise your thoughts or check your spelling when applying to one of our BFI Film Academy courses, however, we want to get to know you, not a computer program. If you use AI, please make sure your final answers still reflect your own personal choices such as your favourite film, your own goals and your unique voice. We love that everyone sees the world a bit differently. We value you exactly as you are, and we encourage you to be yourself with us right from day one! 

We are looking for 20 young people aged 16-19 (or up to 25 years with an EHC - Education, Health and Care plan) from North Yorkshire and the Humber who want to find out about the film and TV industry and try, or further develop their filmmaking skills. Previous filmmaking experience isn’t necessary and travel or childcare bursaries are available to support you to attend (details in the section below). 

We welcome applications from all young people including neurodivergent and disabled people, people with non-visible disabilities, people with mental health conditions and people who may experience racism.

We cover a lot each day and try to run the course as close to a professional film shoot as possible so ask for commitment, focus and a willingness from you to fully throw yourself into the experience. 

You'll be so proud of what you achieve and can celebrate your hard work by seeing your finished film on the big screen. Finished films from previous years have screened at the INDIs Festival in Leeds and the Showroom in Sheffield. 

BFI Film Academy Introductory Course Scarborough is free to attend. If you think you might need assistance covering associated course costs such as travel and childcare, please still apply – we have a bursary fund to cover these costs where eligible. More information about who can, and how to apply for bursaries, can be found here along with a bursary application form.

Our BFI Film Academy Introductory Course in Scarborough is delivered by Reel Solutions in partnership with Showroom Cinema as part of the BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and the Humber, supported by the UK Government and National Lottery funding. 

Reel Solutions are passionate about bringing opportunities to young people across North Yorkshire and the Humber and are proud of our excellent track record of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew. We have been delivering film schools to young people in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI) since the start of the BFI Film Academy scheme in 2011. We believe in you and your potential - you inspire us year after year with your enthusiasm, talent and ambitions. It's a privilege to help support and play a role in enabling your dreams and expanding your horizons and experience. 

For full BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and the Humber programme details and to apply for any of our BFI Film Academy courses, please visit showroomcinema.org.uk/bfi-film-academy-yorkshire-and-the-humber 

BFI Film Academy Yorkshire & the Humber Hub provides a welcoming space for young people aged 16-25 to develop skills, meet industry professionals and access career support. Delivered across the UK, Hubs offer hands-on introductory film courses, networking opportunities and personalised support helping young people build skills, confidence and connections in the industry. Through year-round activities and dedicated support, local hubs provide an ongoing pathway into film, TV and the wider screen industries. 

WHAT WILL I DO ON THE COURSE?