BFI FILM academy short course SCARBOROUGH 

Are you aged 16-19 or aged up to 25 and have an Education and Health Car Plan (EHCP)? Do you love film, TV and/or other moving image formats? Interested in a career in the film industry? Yes? Then read on to find out more about our upcoming courses and how you can apply.

BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious 16-25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to learn more about, and get some hands on experience of filmmaking and how to take those first steps to starting a career in the screen industries. Delivered at over 50 locations across the UK and supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)  and National Lottery.

We are hoping to run a week-long BFI Film Academy introduction to film production course for young people aged 16-19 (or up to 25 years with an EHC - Education, Health and Care plan) in Scarborough over the October half terms in 2026 - 2028. We will update as soon as details are available.  

We cover a lot in a week and try to run the course as close to a professional film shoot as possible so will need commitment, focus and a willingness from you to fully throw yourself into the experience! You'll be so proud of what you have achieved by the end of the week and can celebrate your hard work by seeing your finished film on the big screen in front of old and new friends, family and invited guests later in the year. Finished films from previous years have screened at the INDIs Festival in Leeds and the Showroom in Sheffield. 

During your week in Scarborough, you'll get the very highest quality film skills training and support to help you create a short film from start to finish, from generating and developing ideas, to editing a final version. We will help you build knowledge and skills with practical hands on sessions and lots of advice from some very talented and experienced filmmakers from all over the UK. You'll have fun with filmmaking processes, meet other like-minded filmmakers, gain confidence, new skills or improve your existing skills. 

Once you have completed the introductory course you will become part of the growing BFI Film Academy network with year-long wrap-around support and access to events such as career and skills talks and further opportunities to attend courses to advance your learning and film experience both with the BFI and other screen and creative organisations.

We have many ties with the town - our Project Leader, Zoe, grew up in Scarborough and is based there currently. Zoe is passionate about bringing the same opportunities to young people in the town that have been been available for many years to young people living in the UK's cities. Reel Solutions hope to work in partnership with the Showroom, Sheffield and Leeds Young Film to deliver BFI Film Academy courses, as we have for the last two years as part of the BFI Film Academy Hub across Yorkshire and the Humber 

Reel Solutions are very proud of our excellent track record of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew in the broadest range of screen industries - we believe in you, the next generation of makers' and are inspired year after year by your enthusiasm, talent and ambitions and feel hugely privileged to be able to help support and play a role in enabling your dreams and expanding your horizons and experience. Many of our former participants are now working in a range of roles in film, TV and XR. Reel Solutions have been delivering film schools to young people in partnership with the BFI since the start of the BFI Film Academy scheme in 2011.

• Be involved in making a short film as part of a team

• Be guided through the filmmaking process from start to finish

• Have access to industry standard equipment and facilities

• Be supported to turn your own ideas and stories into a short film

• Learn from, and gain top tips for success from industry professionals

• Make great new connections and contacts

• Watch and discuss a range of films to help develop your own filmmaking

• Learn about new emerging technologies in film production

• Attend course sessions, and take part in production planning meetings, film shoots and editing sessions both face to face and online

• Join a network with year-long wraparound support and access to training opportunities such as the BFI Film Academy Specialist residential courses across the UK which focus on a wide range of industry skills in more detail

The next BFI Film Academy Introductory Course  in Scarborough will hopefully run during the October half term holidays in 2026-2028 with production week taking place most days during the holiday week. The course is based at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, with occasional additional locations, all within walking distance of the train station. Elements of the course will be delivered online but the majority of the course will be face to face. 

We will be looking for 20 young people aged 16-19 (or up to 25 years with an EHC - Education, Health and Care plan) who want to find out more about film and TV and new emerging screen technologies and think they might like to try for the first time, or further develop, their filmmaking skills. Previous filmmaking experience isn’t necessary. We welcome applications from all young people including neurodivergent and disabled people including those with non-visible disabilities, people with mental health conditions and people who may experience racism.

BFI Film Academy Introductory Course  Scarborough is free to attend. If you think you might need assistance covering other associated course costs such as travel and childcare, please still apply – there is 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.

Please apply as soon as you can once details are available and complete the short and simple online application form. Try and copy and save your answers for reference or if you don't want to complete the application form in one go.

The screen industries are 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 Academies. 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 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.