Are you aged 16 – 19? Want to take your first step towards a career in film? Join a free, weeklong residential course at Showroom Cinema, Sheffield to immerse yourself in the world of cinema programming, with industry professionals and other young film fans from across the UK.

The BFI Film Academy Film Programming Specialist Course 2025 -2026 is a training course that takes place for one week in person (28 July - 3 August 2025) and on two Saturdays online this summer. Open to 16 to 19-year-olds from across the UK, this opportunity provides the chance to learn about film programming, distribution, marketing and distribution, audience engagement, and eventually put on a film festival at Showroom Cinema. So, whether you’re a filmmaker, blogger, regular cinema goer, or someone who simply enjoys watching and talking about films, this exciting and intensive residential course will give you a real insight into the world of film programming. Previous alumni have gone on to work at BBC, Warner Bros., Sheffield DocFest, Leeds INDIs Film Festival, Hyde Park Picture House and many more.

New for 2025, the programme is being delivered by Showroom Cinema, in partnership with Reclaim The Frame. Reclaim The Frame, is the UK’s campaign for gender equity in all film spaces, working to engage audiences in marginalised perspectives in cinema across the UK.

This residential course is part of BFI Film Academy, a national talent programme supported by the Department for Education and the National Lottery.

Thanks to BFI National Lottery funding, the course is free to attend with accommodation and meals provided to successful applicants. We offer a generous bursary scheme to cover any costs that will enable you to take part.

You will be mentored throughout your time at the residential and will get the chance to meet various industry professionals. Speakers joining us for the course include representatives of Altitude Films (Bryony Forde), BIFA (Joy Hunter), Cinema For All (Jaq Chell), Curate-It (Justine Atkinson), Dark Matter (Micallar Walker), Hyde Park Picture House (Mosa Mpetha), Independent Cinema Office (Mikaela Smith), Minute Shorts (Regys Badi), Sheffield DocFest (Mita Suri), Queer East Film Festival (Yi Wang), and members of the Reclaim The Frame team (Melanie Iredale, Charlie Little). Additional speakers to be announced.

So, what are you waiting for? Kickstart your career in cinema programming today!

Deadline for applications are noon on Monday 30 June 2025. Full details are available at /bfiacademy2025/residential