The Showroom Cinema has opened applications for its 2026 BFI Film Academy Residential in Film Archive & Curation and 2026 BFI Film Academy: Film Programming Specialist Course.
The courses are free and open to anyone based in the UK who is aged 16–19 years old on the first day of the course.
Film Programming Specialist Course
Dates: 29 March – 4 April (in-person residential)
Location: Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
Application Deadline: Midday, Friday 28 February 2026
This free, week-long course offers participants the chance to learn about film programming, distribution, marketing, and audience engagement, culminating in the creation of a film festival at Showroom Cinema in August 2026.
What you’ll do:
Work with industry professionals, including film critics, filmmakers, and festival programmers.
- Explore a wide range of cinema and exhibition practices.
- Collaborate to design and deliver your own film festival programme.
- Join the BFI Film Academy Alumni network and access ongoing opportunities and mentorship.
Past alumni have gone on to careers at: BBC, Warner Brothers, Sheffield DocFest, Leeds INDIs Film Festival, and more.
Accommodation and meals are provided, and they offer a generous bursary scheme to ensure that anyone, regardless of their financial situation, is able to take part.
To find out more and apply, visit the BFI Film Academy website.
Film Archive & Curation Residential
Dates: Monday 16 – Sunday 22 February 2026
Location: Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
Application Deadline: Midday, Friday 16 January 2026
This specialist course focuses on film preservation, archiving, and curation. Participants will engage in daily workshops, masterclasses, and hands-on sessions with archive materials, learning how archival material supports filmmaking and documentary production.
What you’ll do:
- Visit leading film archives and cinema venues.
- Meet experts from organisations such as LUX, June Givanni’s Pan African Cinema Archive, and HippFest.
- Learn film preservation, restoration, programming, and curation.
- Curate and edit an archive touring package for cinema exhibition to present to industry professionals.
Past alumni have gone on to careers at: Warner Brothers, Sheffield DocFest and other key screen sector organisations.
Accommodation and meals are provided, and they offer a generous bursary scheme to ensure that anyone, regardless of their financial situation, is able to take part.
To find out more and apply, visit the BFI Film Academy website.
Both courses are excellent opportunities for young people interested in pursuing careers in film, cinema exhibition, programming, or archiving. If you have any questions, please contact: BFI.Academy@srws.org.uk
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