Are you aged 16-19? Are you interested in pursuing your passion for film and seeing where it can take you? The BFI Film Academy short course is a fantastic opportunity for you!
The comprehensive filmmaking course will take place over seven days starting in January. The BFI is once again partnering with Somerset Film to deliver an exciting, action-packed filmmaking experience for young creatives in Somerset!
This is an excellent first step on the ladder for young, aspiring filmmakers looking to work in the film and media industry. The cohort will make films, receive masterclasses from industry professionals and receive career support, with the option to work towards a nationally recognised Arts Award qualification. It’s also a great opportunity to find out about the many and varied roles in the film industry; from set design to electrical, from finance to casting.
Guest speakers from the January 2025 Academy include Jeremy DeCoursey, who was the Locations Manager for the recent TV series Lockwood & Co and has worked on feature films such as The Batman, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Paddington and Fast & Furious 6.
Guest speaker Lily Limmer, who was a Sustainability Coordinator for Warner Brothers and Apple TV, in this role her responsibilities were to assess film productions and devise a plan to reduce their environmental impact. Lily currently works in the industry as a Producer and Director for adverts, music videos and documentaries.
Other guest speakers have been James Holcombe, a 16mm filmmaker and photochemical film production. Catherine Goldschmidt BSC, Cinematographer who has worked on House of Dragon, Dr Who and Renegade Nell. Along with Harry Potter Editor Mick Audsley, award-winning Filmmaker Sophie Littman and Filmmaker and Company Founder Stephanie Castelete-Tyrrell.
“Taking part in the BFI Film Academy with Somerset Film was one of the most important steps I took early in my filmmaking journey. Since then, I’ve worked on several exciting projects, including an advert for Save the Children and the Oscar-shortlisted short film Good Boy.”
– Max Chorley, BFI Film Academy Alumni
“The BFI Film Academy short course helped me connect with other local young filmmakers. It also helped me to confirm what roles I was interested in pursuing. I learned a lot in this course about all sorts of different roles and topics in the industry, which has helped guide me to where I am today.” Grace Morgan, BFI Film Academy Alumni, Writer, Director, Script Supervisor and Somerset Film Trustee.
The BFI Film Academy Short Course is free to participate in. The course dates are:
Saturday 17th, Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th, Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st, Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th February from 10am to 5pm daily. The application deadline is 12 noon on Monday 5th January 2026: https://www.somersetfilm.com/bfi. You do not need to be studying media to apply.
BFI Film Academy Short Courses are funded by the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery. This programme is part of the BFI Film Academy Short Course, South West Consortium. A BFI funded programme led by Watershed in partnership with Somerset Film, City Eye and Screen Cornwall.
If you have any questions about the BFI Film Academy Course delivered by Somerset Film, we would be happy to answer them. You can email them at: [email protected] or call: 01278 433 187. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
