Cinemagic is delighted to announce the delivery of a BFI Film Academy Short Course for 2025/26 in Belfast and 16–19-year-olds are invited to apply by 26th August 2025.
BFI Film Academy Short Courses help to train and inspire the next generation of filmmakers, supporting young people aged 16 to 19 to develop the commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to help develop a career in film. BFI Film Academy Short Courses offer young people, who are passionate about film, a chance to learn together, working in production teams to create short films in an industry led environment. The course delivered by Cinemagic is an accredited OCN Level 2 in Creative Arts & Digital Technologies qualification.
Cinemagic, Belfast:
Deadline: Tuesday 26 August — Apply Now
Other NI BFI Film Academies:
Nerve Centre, Derry~Londonderry
Deadline: Thursday 12 September — Apply Now
Nerve Centre, Belfast
Deadline: Thursday 12 September — Apply Now
AmmA Centre, Armagh
Deadline: Thursday 12 September — Apply Now
In order to apply you must:
-be aged 16 to 19 years old on the first day of the course
-be a UK resident
-have a passion or talent for filmmaking and an ambition to work in the screen industry
-be able to commit to the duration of the course
-not currently be at university or enrolled at university when the course starts
-not have previously enrolled on a BFI Film Academy course
* Bursaries are provided to support students in genuine financial need who would be unable to attend without support.
Important Dates:
In person meetings will be held in Belfast (Accidental Theatre, Shaftsbury Square, 10-3pm)
Saturday 6th September 10-3pm – Intro and Film Training
Sunday 28th September 10-3pm – Film Training
Saturday 4th October 10-3pm – Film Training
Wednesday 15th October Zoom – Film Prep (Evening)
Wednesday 29th October 10-3pm – Film Prep
Tuesday 11th November Zoom – Film Prep (Evening)
Tuesday 18th November Zoom – Film Prep (Evening)
Shoot Dates.
Group 1: Saturday 15th November and Sunday 16th November
Group 2 : Saturday 22nd November and Sunday 23rd November
Editing Days.
Group 1: Saturday 29th November and Sunday 30th November
Group 2: Saturday 6th December and Sunday 7th December
After completing a BFI Film Academy course, you’ll be a part of our expansive alumni network and will have access to apply to exclusive opportunities such as traineeships, mentoring programmes, masterclasses and more.
TO APPLY CLICK HERE Deadline 26th August 2025. The course will run from September 2025 to December 2025 mostly at weekends. Interview dates are 1-3 September from 4pm onwards.
BFI Film Academy is delivered by Nerve Centre, AmmA Centre and Cinemagic and is supported by the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, National Lottery, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.
