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Introductory Course Application

This is the application form for a free BFI Film Academy Introductory Course in the West Midlands, 2026 to 2027, for 16 to 19 year olds, or up to 25 with an EHCP.

Before you start, check the dates and venue for your area on the Introductory Courses page. Applications open at a different time in each of the four areas.

Introductory Course Application 2026/2027 (New)

Updates

Your Course
The Hub
Your Details
Safety and Support
About You
Your Course Dates
Last Part

The application takes about fifteen minutes, in seven short steps.

If you are not registered with the BFI Film Academy Hub West Midlands yet, this form can be your Hub registration too, so you only fill in one form.

Under 18? Please check with a parent or carer before you apply.

Your Course

Each course is for young people who live in its area.

Which Introductory Course are you applying for?

Applications for Herefordshire & Worcestershire open on Thursday 1 October 2026.

Come back then, or see the course page to be first to know.

Applications for Herefordshire & Worcestershire have closed for this year.

You can still join the Hub for year-round activity. Register with Our Hub.

Applications for Herefordshire & Worcestershire are open until Sunday 1 November 2026 at midnight.

Applications for Stoke & Staffordshire open on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

Come back then, or see the course page to be first to know.

Applications for Stoke & Staffordshire have closed for this year.

You can still join the Hub for year-round activity. Register with Our Hub.

Applications for Stoke & Staffordshire are open until Tuesday 8 December 2026 at midnight.

Applications for Sandwell & Birmingham open on Tuesday 3 November 2026.

Come back then, or see the course page to be first to know.

Applications for Sandwell & Birmingham have closed for this year.

You can still join the Hub for year-round activity. Register with Our Hub.

Applications for Sandwell & Birmingham are open until Friday 4 December 2026 at midnight.

Applications for Walsall & Wolverhampton open on Tuesday 1 December 2026.

Come back then, or see the course page to be first to know.

Applications for Walsall & Wolverhampton have closed for this year.

You can still join the Hub for year-round activity. Register with Our Hub.

Applications for Walsall & Wolverhampton are open until Tuesday 26 January 2027 at midnight.

About You

Have you taken part in a BFI Film Academy course before?

Yes

Thank you for telling us. Each person takes part in one BFI Film Academy course at this level, so you are one of our alumni. Alumni have their own activity through the Hub: see what is on for alumni.

Date of Birth

Do you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or equivalent?

Yes

I am not sure

Prefer not to say

Introductory Courses are for 16 to 19 year olds on the first day of the course. You can join the Hub from 16, and we would love to see you then.

Introductory Courses are for 16 to 19 year olds, or up to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan. If you have an EHCP or equivalent, choose Yes above.

Introductory Courses are for young people up to 25.

Thank you. We will check this with you before any place is offered.

Your Hub Registration

Are you already registered with the BFI Film Academy Hub West Midlands?

Yes, I’m registered

No, not yet

Great. Please use the email address you registered with, so we can match this application to your Hub record.

Great. You’re signed in, so we’ve filled in the details we hold for you. Please check they’re still right as you go.

Would you like this form to be your Hub registration?

Yes, register me with the Hub

No, not right now

Registration is free and lets you book year-round activity across the West Midlands. We will ask a few extra questions, and an equality monitoring section at the end.

You need to be registered with the Hub to take a place on a course. You can apply now, and we will ask you to register if we offer you a place.

Would you like email updates about opportunities, courses and events across the West Midlands?

Yes

Your Details

First Name

Last Name

Mobile number

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City

County

Postcode

Preferred Pronouns

She / Her

He / Him

They / Them

Other

How did you learn about the BFI Film Academy?

School / College

A Youth Club / Film Club

A Film Hub

A Production Company

The BFI

Social Media

Family / Friend

other

Are you currently:

In school or sixth form?

In college, university or another education programme?

In training, an apprenticeship, internship, or work placement?

Working (full-time, part-time, or self-employed)?

Not in Education, Employment or Training

Prefer not to say

other

Are you most interested in: (Please tick as many as you’d like)

Animation

Camera and Lighting

Costume

Editing and Post-production

Film Curation and Archiving

Film Programming, Audience Development and Distribution

Games

Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics

Producing and Production Management (producers, PAs, ADs, locations, accounts)

Screen Writing

Directing

Acting

Art Department (set decoration and props)

Sound and Sound Recording

Sustainability and Locations

VFX and New Technologies

All of the above

None of the above

I don’t know

Other (please tell us below)

If you’re interested in an area of Film & TV not listed above, please let us know here:

Your Emergency Contact Details

Emergency Contact 1: First Name

Emergency Contact 1: Last Name

Emergency Contact 1: Relationship to you

Emergency Contact 1: Phone Number

Emergency Contact 2: First Name

Emergency Contact 2: Last Name

Emergency Contact 2: Relationship to you

Emergency Contact 2: Phone Number

Health Conditions and Access Needs

Please let us know if you have any health conditions or allergies that we should be aware of below:

Please let us know below if you require any access adjustments to help you participate in this activity:

Financial Support

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion the BFI Film Academy offers bursaries to support young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to take part in our programmes.

Would you benefit from financial support to help you take part?

Yes, I would like to apply for a bursary.

No, I don’t require financial support.

Please note: if you'd like to apply for a bursary, we'll send you a more detailed bursary application form once you've confirmed your place on the session. Your answer to this question will not affect the outcome of your application.

Supporting Statement

This is your chance to tell us about you. We usually have more applications than places, so we read every answer carefully when we choose who takes part.

Tell us, in your own words, what draws you to film and what you hope to get from the course. An honest answer in your own voice is a good answer.

If you like, write it somewhere else first, such as a note on your phone, then paste it in. That way your work is safe.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you want to take part in the BFI Film Academy?

Your Course Dates

These are the dates for the course you are applying for. Please check every one before you answer.

Herefordshire & Worcestershire, at StoryPoint, West Street, Hereford

Wednesday 18 November 2026, 10am to 4pm
Introduction, Crew Roles and the Brief
Thursday 19 November 2026, 10am to 4pm
Crew Roles and Production Recap
Friday 20 November 2026, 10am to 4pm
Camera, Sound, Art and Rehearsal
Thursday 26 November 2026, 8am to 5pm
Production: Your First Day on Set
Friday 27 November 2026, 8am to 5pm
Production: Wrap Day
Thursday 3 December 2026, 10am to 4pm
Post-Production Editing Session
Wednesday 9 December 2026, 6.30pm to 9pm
Screening Celebration

*Course dates may change.

Stoke & Staffordshire, at Venue to be confirmed

Tuesday 12 January 2027, 10am to 4pm
Introduction, Crew Roles and the Brief
Wednesday 13 January 2027, 10am to 4pm
Crew Roles and Production Recap
Thursday 14 January 2027, 10am to 4pm
Camera, Sound, Art and Rehearsal
Tuesday 19 January 2027, 8am to 5pm
Production: Your First Day on Set
Wednesday 20 January 2027, 8am to 5pm
Production: Wrap Day
Monday 25 January 2027, 10am to 4pm
Post-Production Editing Session
Friday 29 January 2027, 6.30pm to 9pm
Screening Celebration

*Course dates may change.

Sandwell & Birmingham, at Venue to be confirmed

Tuesday 2 February 2027, 10am to 4pm
Introduction, Crew Roles and the Brief
Wednesday 3 February 2027, 9am to 5pm
Crew Roles and Production Recap
Thursday 4 February 2027, 9am to 5pm
Camera, Sound, Art and Rehearsal
Monday 8 February 2027, 8am to 5pm
Production: Your First Day on Set
Tuesday 9 February 2027, 8am to 5pm
Production: Wrap Day
Friday 12 February 2027, Times to be confirmed
Post-Production Editing Session
Monday 22 February 2027, 6.30pm to 9pm
Screening Celebration

*Course dates may change.

Walsall & Wolverhampton, at Venue to be confirmed

Tuesday 2 March 2027, 10am to 4pm
Introduction, Crew Roles and the Brief
Wednesday 3 March 2027, 10am to 4pm
Crew Roles and Production Recap
Thursday 4 March 2027, 10am to 4pm
Camera, Sound, Art and Rehearsal
Tuesday 9 March 2027, 8am to 5pm
Production: Your First Day on Set
Wednesday 10 March 2027, 8am to 5pm
Production: Wrap Day
Monday 15 March 2027, 10am to 4pm
Post-Production Editing Session
Monday 22 March 2027, 6.30pm to 9pm
Screening Celebration

*Course dates may change.

Can you attend all of the course dates listed above?

Yes, I can attend all of the course dates

No, I can’t attend all of the course dates

If no, please state which dates you are able to make?

Equality Monitoring

The British Film Institute wishes to ensure that all aspects of our work reflect diversity and support equality of opportunity. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to ask you to complete an equality monitoring form. This monitoring information helps us to identify where there are gaps in our recruitment so that we can work to attract talented people from these groups and areas. It also helps us to ensure that there is no discrimination. Your cooperation in completing this form is greatly appreciated. Any information you provide us with will be processed separately to your application to the BFI Film Academy Hub and used for equalities monitoring purposes only. We use this information to produce anonymised statistical data on equalities, which we may publish and share with the government departments providing our funding. Sharing this helps us evidence that we are reaching and supporting the people we set out to, and that is what allows us to keep the Hub free to take part in.

Gender

What is your gender? This is a trans inclusive form. The terms ‘woman’ and ‘man’ therefore include trans women and trans men.

Man

Woman

Non Binary

Self-identity

Prefer not to say

If you prefer to self-identify, please detail below:

Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?

Sexual Orientation

How would you describe your sexual orientation?

Asexual

Bisexual

Gay/Lesbian

Straight/Heterosexual

Prefer to self-identify

Prefer not to say

If you prefer to self-identify, please detail below:

Ethnic Background

Which option best describes your ethnic origin or background?

Asian/ Asian British – Bangladeshi

Asian / Asian British – Chinese

Asian / Asian British – Indian

Asian / Asian British – Pakistani

Any other Asian/South Asian/East Asian/South East Asian backgrounds

Black / Black British – African

Black / Black British – Caribbean

Any other Black/African/Caribbean backgrounds

Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups – Asian & White

Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups – Black African & White

Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups – Black Caribbean & White

Any other Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Group backgrounds

White – British/English/Welsh/Scottish or Northern Irish

White – Gypsy or Irish Traveller

White – Irish

White – Roma

Any other White backgrounds

Other Ethnic Group – Arab

Other Ethnic Group – Jewish

Other Ethnic Group – Middle Eastern & North African Heritage

Other Ethnic Group – West and Central Asian Heritage

Any Other Ethnic Group backgrounds

Prefer not to say

Socioeconomic Background

What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14?

Modern professional & traditional professional occupations such as: teacher, nurse, physiotherapist, social worker, musician, police officer (sergeant or above), software designer, accountant, solicitor, medical practitioner, scientist, civil / mechanical engineer.

Senior, middle or junior managers or administrators such as: finance manager, chief executive, large business owner, office manager, retail manager, bank manager, restaurant manager, warehouse manager.

Clerical and intermediate occupations such as: secretary, personal assistant, call centre agent, clerical worker, nursery nurse.

Technical and craft occupations such as: motor mechanic, plumber, printer, electrician, gardener, train driver.

Routine, semi-routine manual and service occupations such as: postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter/waitress, bar staff.

Long-term unemployed (claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year)

Small business owners who employed less than 25 people such as: corner shop owners, small plumbing companies, retail shop owner, single restaurant or cafe owner, taxi owner, garage owner.

This question does not apply due to being care experienced

Student

Prefer not to say

Don’t know

Other

If you selected other, please specify:

Have you ever been in care? That is, looked after by the state.

Yes, I am currently in care

Yes, I was previously in care

No, I have not been in care

Prefer not to say

Have you ever been eligible for, or received, free school meals?

Yes – in the last year

Yes – in the last three years

Yes – in the last five years

Don’t know

Prefer not to say

Disability

Do you relate to any of these statements? (You can choose more than one)

I am a Disabled person

I have a disability

I have a long-term health condition

I have a mental health condition

I am Deaf

I am deaf or hard of hearing

I am dyslexic or dyspraxic

I am autistic or neurodivergent

I am blind or visually impaired

I have long-term difficulties with mobility which impact my regular day-to-day life

No, I don’t relate to any of these

Don’t know

Prefer not to say

Other or Self Identify

If you selected Other or Self Identify, please tell us more

Terms and Conditions

The BFI Film Academy will be delivered by the Hub partner in your area. Your submission of this form to us will constitute your confirmation of the following declaration:

I hereby confirm that the information I have given in this form is true and correct
By submitting this form, I understand that the Film Academy Hub provider and the BFI will store and process my data as described below in accordance with professional standards and data protection legislation.
If under 18 I confirm that my parent or guardian has given me permission to apply for this course

Data Protection

In order for you to be able to participate in the BFI Film Academy, the Hub provider needs to be able to process your personal data as part of the application processes.

Part or all of the information you give to your BFI Film Academy course provider and BFI Film Academy Hub will be provided to the BFI.
The BFI will retain this information following your participation in the BFI Film Academy for statistical purposes only unless otherwise agreed.
The BFI may share your name and contact details with an external company who helps evaluate the BFI Film Academy. They may contact you to invite you to participate in a survey evaluating your local Hub.

I am NOT currently enrolled at University or at University when the course starts

I have NOT previously taken part in a BFI Film Academy course

Signature

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Date

What Happens Next

We read every application and you will hear from us either way. If you would like to talk anything through first, reach out and we will set up a call.

BFI Film Academy Hub West Midlands

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BFI Film Academy Hub West Midlands is delivered by Rural Media, supported by the UK Government and National Lottery funding.