The BFI Film Academy is an annual programme for 16-19-year-olds across the UK aiming to know more about filmmaking and working in the screen industries. These hands-on filmmaking courses build knowledge and skills and, through workshops with film and screen professionals, illuminate pathways into the industry for young people. There are locally based short courses as well as more intensive residential courses in craft and specialist skills and these programmes in Scotland are supported jointly by Screen Scotland and the British Film Institute.
If you are a talented and committed young person with a passion for film, these high-quality courses can help you learn more about screenwriting, cinematography, sound, directing, production and editing. You will make short films, learn from industry masterclasses, and gain the BFI/Screen Skills NCFE ‘Preparing to Work in the Film Industry’ qualification. The BFI Film Academy can help you whether you aim to study at one of Scotland's film schools or make your first steps into the film and screen workplace.
The BFI Academy is delivered in partnership with GMAC Film, Screen Education Edinburgh, Station House Media Unit and Screen Argyll.
BFI Screen Academy Scotland 2025-26
An excellent start towards a career in the screen industries, where an interest in film and the filmmaking process is nurtured and grown for ambitious 16- to 19-year-olds across the nation, the BFI Film Academy Scotland 2025-26 programme is open for applications.
The Academy develops understanding of the fundamentals of filmmaking, from screenwriting, cinematography and sound, to directing, production and editing.
Participants make short films, learn from top talent working in the industry through masterclasses, and gain commercial and cultural knowledge to begin their journey towards a career in the screen industries.
Through course completion, young people also gain the BFI/Screen Skills NCFE Preparing to Work in the Film Industry level 5 equivalent qualification, aiding their development, and progression towards further film study or entering the workplace.
Participants join the Film Academy UK alumni group that opens up additional training opportunities and come together early 2026 with participants across Scotland for an end of programme screening, networking, and next steps event.
No previous experience is necessary – just a passion for film, with the programme free to take part, and bursaries available for those who require assistance with travel or access costs, with the orgs encouraging those from underrepresented groups to apply to take part, including youngsters living in working class communities, rural locations, those living with a disability, and ethnically diverse young people.
Delivered by a consortium of organisations collaborating to develop young people, courses take place in Edinburgh delivered by lead partner Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), and at partner orgs in Ayrshire delivered by Ayrshire Film Co, the Scottish Highlands delivered by Eden Court Highlands, in Glasgow delivered by GMAC, and Aberdeen delivered by Station House Media Unit (shmu).
The BFI Film Academy Scotland programme is funded by Screen Scotland, the BFI, the National Lottery, and the UK Government.
How to apply
For those living in Edinburgh and Lothians, the Borders, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Fife, and Stirling areas the course takes place at SEE from 13 October to 13 December 2025 with applications open until Monday 22 September 2025.
For those living in Ayrshire, the course takes place at Ayrshire Film Co from 13 October to 20 December 2025, with applications open until Monday 22 September 2025.
For those living in the Highlands, the course takes place at Eden Court Highlands from 13th October to 13th December 2025, with applications open until Monday 8 September 2025.
For those living in Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire, the course takes place at GMAC from 20 September to 19 December 2025, with applications open until Monday 22 September 2025.
For those living in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Northeast Scotland, the course takes place at shmu from 6 September to 13 December 2025, with applications open until Sunday 24 August 2025.
Visit the links below to find out more:
GMAC Film: Glasgow | BFI Film Academy
Screen Education Edinburgh: Edinburgh & South East Scotland | BFI Film Academy