BFI Film Academy Specialist Course: Curation and Archiving
Learn about film curation, archiving and pathways into the film industry.
Applications for the BFI Film Academy Specialist Residential 2025 - Film Curation and Archiving are now open.
We’re looking for 30 enthusiastic, motivated young people looking to take their first step into the film industry.
Across one week of in-person learning, discover film curation, visit film archives and studios and learn about how they operate throughout the year, and work in teams to curate collections of shorts and archive films, which will tour to venues, film festivals and much more.
The course provides the chance to learn about the film archive world across film preservation, restoration, curation, programming and how archive moving-image material contributes to production. It delivers on-site visits to leading national, regional and broadcast moving image archives and in-person sessions from experts in the industry.
The course is free to take part in, and we have a generous bursary scheme that can cover the cost of travel or access requirements to ensure that the programme is as accessible as possible.
Applications close Friday 17 January 2025.
To apply, please complete this sign up form.
What you'll do on the course
By taking part in the BFI Film Academy Specialist Residential 2025 - Film Curation and Archiving, you will:
Explore all aspects of the film archive and exhibition sectors whilst working alongside well-known industry professionals.
Gain a real insight into the exciting world of film conservation, curation and exhibition, providing you with skills and experience that are essential to becoming part of our future film industry.
Watch a range of films and learn from archivists, restorators, exhibitors, curators and archive producers and those working within the industry such as BFI National Film Archive, Yorkshire Film Archive and ITV Archive.
Work in teams to curate and edit an archive touring package throughout the week’s programme and present it to a panel at Showroom Cinema in Sheffield.
Become part of the BFI Film Academy Alumni and access exclusive opportunities, advice and professional development after the course has finished.
2025 course dates
The course takes place between 17-23 February 2025.
Eligibility
To apply for the BFI Film Academy Specialist residential 2025 - Film Curation and Archiving you must:
- Be a UK resident
- Be 16–19 year old on the first day of the course
- Have an interest in the film industry, especially the film archive and exhibition sector
- Be able to commit to the duration of the course
- Not currently be at university or enrolled at university when the course starts
Accessibility
The BFI Film Academy encourages young people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply. Please email [email protected] to discuss any learning support or access requirements that you may have.
Costs
BFI Specialist Courses are free to apply.
Bursaries for travel and childcare are also available if you require assistance with these costs.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
What our Alumni say...
“As someone from a mixed cultural background, I found Isra’s talk really interesting and inspiring. I love the archival aspects of their work and their academic essays.” - BFI Film Academy Residential Participant
“The industry speaker masterclasses were the most fun and engaging part of the whole course. They were incredibly insightful and filled with knowledge. The speakers were so friendly, and they were more than happy to stay afterward to discuss and answer our questions. They guided us further and didn’t just present information—they had us actively participate, present our ideas in groups, and apply what we learned. This hands-on approach was the best part because we received instant feedback and had the opportunity to improve our ideas, which built a lot of confidence to execute them in real-world scenarios.” - BFI Film Academy Residential Participant
Partners: BFI National Archive at Berkhamsted, ITV Archive, Leeds and the Yorkshire Film Archive.
Speakers: FOCAL International, LUX, Invisible Women, Hopscotch Films, the Pan African Cinema Archive and T A P E Collective.
About the BFI Film Academy
BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious 16-25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries.
Delivered at locations across the UK and supported by the Department for Education, National Lottery, Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen introductory hands on filmmaking courses build knowledge and skills and show the different pathways into the industry. For talented and committed young people aged 16-19, short courses have an excellent track record of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew.
This activity is part of the UK-wide BFI Film Academy programme and is supported using funds from the National Lottery #NationalLottery @bfifilmacademy