Hastings and St Leonards

INTRODUCTORY COURSE

Aged 16 to 19 years and want to learn about or work in film? Apply for the BFI Film Academy Introductory Course - applications open now! 

You will take part in workshops and masterclasses with industry professionals designed to improve your knowledge of the industry and to develop your creative, technical and production skills in filmmaking.

As a team, you will make a short film that will be screened in Hastings and London alongside other BFI Film Academy short films.

You don’t need previous experience – just a passion for film and a desire to learn more.

FREE

Application deadline – Monday 5th October 2026, 9:00am

Course Dates 2026

• Saturday 17 October 10am-1pm (Course Introduction)
• Monday 26 October 10am - 5pm
• Tuesday 27 October 10am - 5pm
• Wednesday 28 October 10am - 5pm
• Thursday 29 October 10am - 5pm (Shoot Day)
• Saturday 7th November 10am - 5pm (Post Production Day)
• Wednesday 9 December – Local Screening

MEMBERSHIP
If you’re 16-25 become a member of BFI Film Academy South East. Year-round masterclasses, networking events and mentoring. Online and in person. Sign up via Screen South - sreetouh.org/bfi-film-academy-se

Find out more about the BFI Film Academy South East here

‘THE BFI FILM ACADEMY WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EXPERIENCES I’VE EVER HAD AND I THINK I’D BE ON A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CAREER PATH NOW IF IT WASN’T FOR THAT.’

CHARLOTTE REGAN WRITER-DIRECTOR OF SCRAPPER (Winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at Sundance Film Festival 2023)

South East Network

The Bright Foundation are very excited to be bringing the BFI Academy Short Course to Hastings and St Leonards. We are part of a network of BFI Film Academy hubs across the South East region led by Screen South in Dover. Other partners are:

• Resource Productions, Slough
• Film Oxford, Oxford