EXCLUSIVE: The BFI Film Academy, the UK film body’s flagship skills incubator for young people aged 16-25, is expanding with the launch of 12 new BFI Film Academy Hubs across the UK. 

The BFI has said the scheme will focus on “local provision and devolving funding across the UK.” The 12 hubs will be led by the following organisations:

· BFI Film Academy East of England – delivered by 104 Projects CIC

· BFI Film Academy East Midlands – delivered by Broadway Nottingham

· BFI Film Academy London – delivered by CTVC

· BFI Film Academy North East – delivered by Tyneside Cinema

· BFI Film Academy North West – delivered by HOME Manchester

· BFI Film Academy South East – delivered by Screen South

· BFI Film Academy South West – delivered by Watershed Bristol

· BFI Film Academy West Midlands – delivered by Rural Media Charity

· BFI Film Academy Yorkshire and The Humber – delivered by Showroom Cinema (Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre)

· BFI Film Academy Northern Ireland – delivered by Nerve Centre

· BFI Film Academy Scotland – delivered by Screen Education Edinburgh

· BFI Film Academy Wales – delivered by Screen Alliance Wales

This new model will run from 2026-29. The BFI has said each BFI Film Academy Hub will engage with schools, youth clubs, colleges and wider community groups to deliver year-round activity to enable local young people aged 16-25 to gain technical and transferable skills, access careers advice and networking opportunities to support them to pursue a career in the screen and wider creative industries.

The Hubs will be responsible for curating and delivering introductory courses designed to provide young people with an overview of the film industry with a focus on below-the-line production roles, screen heritage, exhibition and distribution. Ongoing year-round activity – including networking events and masterclasses – will be open to 16-25-year-olds. Each Hub will also have a dedicated Alumni Manager.

The BFI Film Academy has been funded through increased investment from the UK Government and ongoing BFI National Lottery Good Cause funding alongside cash from Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Scotland and the Welsh Government. 

Zakiya Bale, Head of BFI Film Academy Programmes, said the refreshed BFI Film Academy has been “developed to reflect the needs of an ever-changing and fast-paced screen industry.”

“BFI Film Academy Hubs will enable young people from across the UK to explore career pathways and develop the skills most in demand across the sector, whatever their background and wherever they’re from,” Bale said. 

Ian Murray, Minister of State for DCMS, added: “British film is at its best when it tells relatable stories about real lives, and that means the people making those stories need to reflect the country we live in. These nation-spanning BFI Film Academy Hubs will give underrepresented young people the training and connections they need to build a career in film – wherever they live, whatever their background.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, and we need to put that right. These hubs will help close that gap and build the diverse, skilled workforce our film industry needs for the future, driven through regional delivery partners who know how to best support their local communities.”