Skip to main content

Call Out: Script Competition

Attention budding script writers!

We are looking for young writers, aged 16-25, based in the North to submit their scripts for consideration to our BFI Film Academy Short Course.

We’re looking for writers to submit a script to be made into a short film by this year’s Film Academy participants. The film can be up to 5 minutes in length.

If your script is selected, your short film will be made by a group of trainee filmmakers as part of a BFI Film Academy training initiative. Winning scripts will also receive £150 prize money and will be invited to any screenings of the film!

A young person with glasses and a hat operating a camera.
Man sits on stool to demonstrate film set up for music video

Conditions of Entry

Your idea needs to be feasible within these parameters:

  • Your script must be 2 to 5 minutes in length - this is max. 6 pages long.

  • Max. of 2 locations.

  • Max. of 2 on-screen characters.

  • Please write your submissions in screenplay format (see below for details).

  • Students will be shooting in Sheffield in November with access to an office, studio space and some exterior locations. Please take this into consideration.

  • Students from the course (aged 16-19) will be acting in the films they produce. Please consider this when deciding the ages of your characters. Genders and ages of the characters may be swapped to fit with the needs of our cohort.

  • Students will be trainees and will have 2 days production time.

  • Your short story should be clear for an audience to follow.

  • The winning 2 entries will be made into films during the BFI Film Academy delivered by Showroom Workstation.

  • Applicants must be ages 16-25 and based in the North.

  • If selected, you must be open to script changes due to production limitations and creative interpretation of your script.

Script Requirements

1. BBFC rating - in order to be screened for our participants, your film must meet one of the below BBFC age ratings:

  • U – Universal – Suitable for all

  • PG – Parental Guidance

  • 12A/12 – Suitable for 12 years and over; or

  • 15 – suitable for 15 years and over

  • We do not allow 18 certificate films with gratuitous depictions of violence or frequent swearing.

2. Please write submissions in screenplay format – ideally, industry standard formatting. We have suggested some suitable programs below, but you are welcome to use a similar layout.

3. All genres welcome, if achievable within production constraints

4. Your script must be:

  • 2 to 5 minutes in length - this is max. 6 pages long. 

  • Max. of 2 locations

  • Max. of 2 on-screen characters.

Man teacher girl how to operate camera

How to Apply

Please submit your script and application through the online application form.

Deadline: Midday, Tuesday 30 September 2025

Application Form

Six young people stood in front of a green screen watching something off camera.

Important notes

If your script is selected for the project, it will be creatively interpreted by the course participants. It may also be subject to cuts and edits by our project staff due to production limitations. 

  • You will not be involved in the shoot or post-production of the film. 
  • You will receive £150 prize money, and will be invited to any screenings held once the film is complete.
  • This is a non-commercial educational project.

For any questions or further information, please email us at bfi.academy@srws.org.uk

We will not pass your data onto any third parties nor use it for any purposes apart from the administration of this application process and the subsequent project.