BFI Film Club Recruitment

We are excited to announce that we will be delivering the BFI Film Film Clubs in Doncaster for 2021 with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery and DCMS.

We are searching for 15 enthusiastic 12 - 15 years olds from Doncaster, to take part in the prestigious BFI Film Clubs which will be delivered online with resources provided. The deadline for applications is Thursday 31st January, 5pm.

The course will run from Saturday 6 February - Saturday 3 April 2021, giving you the opportunity to develop your filmmaking skills, work with industry professionals and take your first steps into the film industry. The course will run between 9am-1pm every Saturday.

The filmmaking course provides the chance to learn essential skills such as scriptwriting, cinematography, video editing and acting. You will work alongside industry professionals to create a short film which will be screened at an industry event at Cast or online, depending on the Covid situation. This is a fantastic opportunity for those new to filmmaking to gain new interest and abilities and for experienced young filmmakers, it’s a brilliant way to develop existing skills further.

To apply, please click here. The deadline for applications is Thursday 31 January, 5pm. Course fees are £25 for the nine week course, but we offer a bursary scheme that will cover the course fee and any additional support you may require including travel to ensure there are no financial barriers in place.

The course will be held online with resources provided.

How do I apply?

To apply, please click here.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 31 January, 5pm.

What is involved?

By taking part in the BFI Film Club, you will:

•   Explore all aspects of hands-on filmmaking which will help you to develop your practical knowledge and skills working alongside industry professionals who are respected practitioners in their field.
• Gain a real insight into the exciting world of cinema, providing you with skills and experience that are essential to becoming part of our future film industry.
• Watch a range of cinema and work with Directors, Actors and Writers from across the UK.
• Work in teams on a practical film-based project spread across nine weeks and show your film on the big screen in front of friends, family and filmmakers!
• Become part of the BFI Film Club Alumni and access exclusive opportunities, advice and professional development after the course has finished.

Who can apply?

To apply for the BFI Film Club you must:

• Be aged 12–15 years old on the first day of the course
• Be based in Doncaster
• Have an interest in filmmaking
• Be able to commit to the duration of the course (9 weeks, 6 February – 3 April 2021)

Course Dates

Saturday 6th February 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 13th February 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 20th February 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 27th February 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 6th March 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 13th March 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 20th March 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 27th March 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

Saturday 3rd April 2021 (09:00 - 13:00)

The Speakers

Bill Buckhurst – Director/Actor

Bill is an award-winning film and theatre director. His debut feature, Pond Life (Open Palm Films), starring Esme Creed-Miles and Daisy Edgar Jones, premiered at the 2018 Leeds International Film Festival and was released in the UK in 2019. It was long-listed for 6 BIFAs including the Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director and Best British Independent Film.

Having originally trained as an actor, he has directed theatre productions in the UK and internationally for more than ten years. His multi award-winning production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd transferred to the West End and Off-Broadway in 2017. In July 2021 he directs Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Saunders in Sister Act The Musical at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.

Sally Cancello – Director / Actress

Sally Cancello is an award-winning actor, writer, director and producer based in Sheffield. Sally studied acting and theatre directing in London before progressing onto film. She started writing and filming her own comedy in 2014, going on to film 10 comedy shorts/sketches over the next 18 months. Sally entered The Funny Women Awards with her fifth short film "Time Again", which then won "Best Comedy Short". She continued to make comedy films on zero budget until she secured BFI Network funding for her current short film, "Fargate" (which had it's World Premiere at The Manchester Film Festival in March). She is currently working on a treatment for a comedy feature film (which also has development funding from the BFI Network) and is developing two ideas for tv.

Richard Heap – Director / Writer

Richard Heap has been making films for 20 years recently completed the feature film ‘The Runaways’. Prior to this he directed and co-produced 4 documentaries for the BBC and one for Channel 4. All have received great reviews (‘Terrific’ – Guardian, ‘Brilliant’ – Daily Express, ‘Exemplary’ – Radio Times), one nominated for a prestigious Grierson award, one BAFTA long-listed. He has also made films for the United Nations, Sky Sports, English Heritage and 5 sell through DVD’s for the British Mountaineering Council.