BFI Film Academy courses in Film Programming and Archive and Curation
Showroom Cinema/ BFI
What: Free courses
When: 16th -22nd February and 29th March - 4th April (deadlines 16th January and 28th February)
Where: Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
Who: Anyone based in the UK aged 16-19
Applications are open for the 2026 BFI Film Academy Residential in Film Archive & Curation and 2026 BFI Film Academy: Film Programming Specialist Course. The courses are free and open to anyone based in the UK who is 16–19 years old on the first day of the course. Both courses are excellent opportunities for young people interested in pursuing careers in film, cinema exhibition, programming, or archiving. If you have any questions, please contact BFI.Academy@srws.org.uk.
1. Film Programming Specialist Course
Dates: in person residential 29th of March – 4th of April
Location: Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
Application Deadline: Midday, Friday 28 February 2026
This free, week-long course offers participants the chance to learn about film programming, distribution, marketing, and audience engagement, culminating in the creation of a film festival at Showroom Cinema in August 2026.
What you’ll do:
Work with industry professionals, including film critics, filmmakers, and festival programmers.
Explore a wide range of cinema and exhibition practices.
Collaborate to design and deliver your own film festival programme.
Join the BFI Film Academy Alumni network and access ongoing opportunities and mentorship.
Past alumni have gone on to careers at: BBC, Warner Brothers, Sheffield DocFest, Leeds INDIs Film Festival, and more.
Accommodation and meals are provided, and we offer a generous bursary scheme to ensure that anyone, regardless of financial situation, is able to take part. To find out more and apply, follow this link.
2. Film Archive & Curation Residential
Dates: Monday 16 – Sunday 22 February 2026
Location: Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
Application Deadline: Midday, Friday 16 January 2026
This specialist course focuses on film preservation, archiving, and curation. Participants will engage in daily workshops, masterclasses, and hands-on sessions with archive materials, learning how archival material supports filmmaking and documentary production.
What you’ll do:
Visit leading film archives and cinema venues.
Meet experts from organisations such as LUX, June Givanni’s Pan African Cinema Archive, and HippFest.
Learn film preservation, restoration, programming, and curation.
Curate and edit an archive touring package for cinema exhibition to present to industry professionals.
Past alumni have gone on to careers at: Warner Brothers, Sheffield DocFest and other key screen sector organisations.
Accommodation and meals are provided, and we offer a generous bursary scheme to ensure that anyone, regardless of financial situation, is able to take part. To find out more and apply, follow this link.
