Screen South Launches BFI Film Academy South East To Inspire The Next Generation Of Screen Talent.

Photo courtesy of Resource Productions, 2026. Email info@screensouth.org for a high res copy or call 01303 259777. 

Screen South is proud to announce the launch of BFI Film Academy South East, the South East Hub of the BFI’s flagship skills programme for young people aged 16-25, responsible for delivering year-round free opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and young creatives across the South East over the next three years. 

The new Hub forms part of an exciting nationwide network of twelve BFI Film Academy Hubs, designed to create more local opportunities for young people to access free filmmaking training, industry connections and career support closer to home.

Building on many years of successfully delivering BFI Film Academy Short Courses, Screen South will now lead an exceptional regional programme alongside delivery partners Resource Productions in Slough, The Bright Foundation in Hastings and Film Oxford in Oxford. 

Together, the partnership will offer an exciting programme of Introductory Courses, creative workshops, networking opportunities and year-round career development activities designed to help young people discover the wide range of opportunities available within the film and television industry. 

The programme welcomes young people from all backgrounds and experience levels, providing a supportive environment where they can develop practical filmmaking skills, build confidence, meet industry professionals and connect with aspiring creatives. It is free to sign up. 

The launch aligns with BFI Film Academy’s new national campaign, See Yourself in the Credits, encouraging young people to imagine a future for themselves within the UK’s thriving film and television industry, whatever their background and wherever they’re from.

Young people aged 16-25 interested in joining the BFI Film Academy South East community can do so now to receive updates on upcoming opportunities across the South East. 

Applications to join a BFI Film Academy Introductory Course will open soon. 

Join BFI Film Academy South East

Note to editors

About BFI Film Academy South East

BFI Film Academy South East is delivered by Screen South supported by the UK Government and National Lottery funding. 

Screen South is the regional lead organisation for BFI Film Academy and works in partnership with Resource Productions, The Bright Foundation and Film Oxford to deliver year-round opportunities for young people across the South East. 

About Screen South

Screen South is a cultural development organisation dedicated to supporting creative talent, digital innovation and cultural engagement across the South East.

About BFI Film Academy

BFI Film Academy is the BFI’s flagship training programme for young people aged 16-25 looking to get started in the film, TV and wider screen industries, offering free UK-wide hands-on, collaborative training and career development, with a strong focus on developing technical and transferable skills.

Building on the success of the past 13 years since its launch in 2012, with an alumni network of over 11,000 people, and benefiting from extensive consultation with industry and young people, the new BFI Film Academy offer focuses on engaging those who are currently underrepresented in the screen industries.

From 2026, 12 BFI Film Academy Hubs - covering every nation and region across the UK – will support underrepresented young people to access free local training and year-round dedicated support, creating pathways into available careers across the screen industries.

ABOUT THE BFI

The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK's lead organisation for film and the moving image.

Their mission is:
  *   To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
  *   To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world's largest film and television archive
  *   To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue
  *   To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
  *   To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK's screen industries

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt OBE.

Screen South Contact:
Adama Mhone-Steeple, Marketing and Social Media Officer

Email: info@screensouth.org  

Telephone: 01303 259777

Address: Screen South Digital Hub, The Glassworks, Mill Bay, CT20 1JG

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Photo courtesy of Film Oxford, 2026. Email info@screensouth.org for a high res copy or call 01303 259777. 

Photo courtesy of The Bright Foundation, 2026. Email info@screensouth.org for a high res copy or call 01303 259777.

Previous BFI Academy students filming at the Glassworks in Folkestone. Photo courtesy of Screen South, 2026. Email info@screensouth.org for a high res copy or call 01303 259777. 

Previous BFI Academy students. Photo courtesy of Screen South, 2026. Email info@screensouth.org for a high res copy or call 01303 259777.