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Opportunities across Yorkshire and The Humber

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Want to work in the film and TV industry, but not sure where to start?

A career in film and TV is for everyone, whatever your background and wherever you're from, and as the BFI Film Academy Hub for Yorkshire and the Humber, we're here to help.

Whether you're drawn to the creative, technical or business side of film and television, we connect young people aged 16 to 25 with training, industry contacts and career support closer to home.

BFI Film Academy is a free, UK-wide training programme for 16 to 25 year olds looking to break into the industry. Across Yorkshire and The Humber, we offer a hands-on, collaborative filmmaking experience with a strong focus on technical and transferable skills.

Joining the Hub community is a chance to find out what the work is really like and discover creative paths you'd never considered. As a member, you'll get introductory film courses, networking opportunities, year-round activities and personalised support, building the skills, confidence and connections to take your next step into the industry.

Keep scrolling to find out how you can see yourself in the credits. 

BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and The Humber is delivered by Showroom Cinema in partnership with Leeds Young Film and Reel Solutions, supported by the UK Government and National Lottery funding.

Join the Hub community

Register with us to hear about upcoming opportunities, events and activity across the region.

If you are interested in joining a BFI Film Academy Introductory Course, you will need to complete a separate application form. Keep scrolling for more information.

We will be sharing details soon about how you can register with BFI Film Academy Yorkshire soon.

Discover BFI Film Academy Introductory Courses across Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford and Scarborough

We are searching for talented, enthusiastic and hard-working 16-19 year olds - and up to 25 year olds for young people with an Education Health and Care Plan - from across Yorkshire and The Humber, to take part in the BFI Film Academy Introductory Courses 2026.

Expand the options below for details on our upcoming courses.

  • Main locations: Showroom Cinema, Showroom Workstation and Sheffield Hallam University (all based in Sheffield city centre). The course also includes additional trips and online meetings. 
  • Induction day: Thursday 22 October 2026
  • Introductory Course dates: Monday 26 October – Sunday 1 November 2026 
  • Follow up dates: There will be two follow up weekends for editing your film, as well as a screening day for your film at Showroom Cinema in February.
  • Deadline: Midnight, Wednesday 23 September 2026
  • Contact: Nora and Beth at bfi.academy@srws.org.uk 

Apply today! Scroll down to apply for details on how to apply.

  • Main locations: Hyde Park Picture House and Carriageworks, Leeds. The course also includes additional trips and online meetings. 
  • Leeds Course Induction day: Saturday 3 October 2026
  • Introductory Course dates: Monday 26 - Friday 30 October 2026 
  • Deadline: 5pm, Sunday 27 September 2026
  • Contact: Eleanor at eleanor.hodson@leeds.gov.uk 

Visit Leeds Young Film's website 

Apply today! Scroll down to apply for details on how to apply.

  • Main locations: Venues in Bradford. The course also includes additional trips and online meetings. 
  • Bradford Course Induction day: Saturday 3 October 2026
  • Introductory Course dates: Monday 26 - Friday 30 October 2026 
  • Deadline: 5pm, Sunday 27 September 2026
  • Contact: Eleanor at eleanor.hodson@leeds.gov.uk 

Visit Leeds Young Film's website 

Apply today! Scroll down to apply for details on how to apply.

  • Main locations: Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. The course also includes additional trips and online meetings. 
  • Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 4 October 2026
  • Introductory Course dates: Friday 23 October - Saturday 31 October 2026 
  • Deadline: To be confirmed
  • Contact: Zoe at bfifilmacademy@reelsolutions.uk  

Visit Reel Solutions' website

Apply today! Scroll down to apply for details on how to apply.

What can you expect from the introductory courses?

By taking part in the BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and The Humber introductory courses, you will gain:

  • Practical skills: Be immersed in all aspects of hands-on filmmaking which will help you to develop your practical knowledge and skills working alongside industry professionals.

  • Industry insight: Gain essential knowledge and experience to support future career pathways into the film and TV industry.

  • Expand your watchlist: See a range of cinema from British independent to specialised film.

  • Create film projects: Work as part of a team on real film projects, producing work you can showcase in your portfolio.

  • Endorsements: Evidence practical learning through earning digital badges.

  • BFI Film Academy Membership: As a BFI Film Academy Alumni you will have access to exclusive opportunities, advice and professional development until you are 25.

In order to apply to the BFI Film Academy Introductory Courses you must:

  • be aged 16 to 19-years-old on the first day of your chosen course (applicants who are in receipt of an EHC plan (an education, health and care plan) may be recruited up to 25 years old)
  • be a UK resident
  • have a passion or talent for filmmaking and an ambition to work in the screen industries
  • be able to commit to the duration of your chosen course
  • not currently be at university or enrolled at university when the course starts
  • not have previously enrolled on a BFI Film Academy course

As each course is likely to have more people apply than available places, any evidence you have of your passion or talent will help your application. Each course is open to young people from anywhere in the UK and from any background. No academic education or degree is necessary.

The courses are completely free to attend and include hands-on training and discussions with industry professionals.

Additional financial support is available to cover other costs if necessary.

Email individual hubs for more information or to organise an informal chat on how we can support you to attend this course. If you are not sure which hub to contact, email BFI.Academy@srws.org.uk 

We will do our best to support any access requirements to remove barriers that may stop you attending this course.

Email individual hubs for more information or to organise an informal chat on how we can support you to attend this course. If you are not sure which hub to contact, email BFI.Academy@srws.org.uk 

Apply now

With courses run at locations across Yorkshire and The Humber, we recommend choosing the one nearest to you to get started.

Sheffield (delivered by Showroom Cinema)

  •  Course dates: Monday 26 October – Sunday 1 November 2026 
  •  Application deadline: Midnight, Wednesday 23 September 2026


Apply to Showroom Cinema's Course

Leeds and Bradford (delivered by Leeds Young Film)

  •  Course dates: Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 
  •  Application deadline: 5pm, Sunday 27 September 2026
Apply to Leeds Young Film's Course

Scarborough (delivered by Reel Solutions)

  •  Course dates: Friday 23 October - Saturday 31 October 2026 
  •  Application deadline: Midnight, Sunday 4 October 2026
Apply to Reel Solutions' Course
"The BFI Film Academy was a fantastic opportunity because it helped me develop my film-making skills and learn more about the film industry. During the course, I made contact with like-minded creatives and found the guest speakers who contributed to the course incredibly informative. I really appreciated the opportunity to have my very first short film screened at the Showroom Cinema and the guidance we received from established local filmmakers was really helpful. The course provided a fantastic platform to share skillsets with others and a recent collaborative project with other BFI students led to my directing and producing a music video which was recently played on BBC Radio."

Taylor

"The BFI Film Academy has been instrumental in developing my passion for filmmaking. Not only has it taught me the ins and outs of working in the film industry but it has opened many paths for me through career, networking, and mentorship opportunities. I would recommend the BFI Film Academy for anyone considering a future in the Film industry as a brilliant foundation to start from for young, amateur or intermediate filmmakers."

Dylan

"The BFI Film Academy has been one of my most treasured experiences and I’m incredibly thankful for everything it has taught me and all of the people I have met because of it. I have learnt so much about working with new and bigger groups of people, entering the industry and it has really changed my perspective of the path I want to take with my career. It has been so much fun and such a rich, fulfilling learning experience that I will carry with me into my future. I am incredibly proud of everyone on the course for working so hard."

Holly

UK-Wide Opportunities with BFI Film Academy

BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and The Humber is one of twelve BFI Film Academy Hubs across the UK.

Discover opportunities across the UK with BFI Film Academy

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