24 young people aged 16 to 19 from across the UK are taking part in our virtual BFI Film Academy Craft Skills programme.

Successfully gaining a place from 109 applications, the learners are receiving advanced and intensive craft sessions focused on screenwriting, cinematography, sound, directing, production and editing, taking part in masterclasses with film industry experts, viewing the UK’s best short films, working with professional actors, and collaborating in teams to produce short films via an innovative virtual production approach.

Upon completion, the films will screen virtually for industry guests, friends and family. Each learner is also given key advice on industry entry and supported to produce a personal development plan to aid their next steps in film.

The young people are specialising in their craft areas, alongside whole group learning focused on the film value chain with industry guests, UK short film, and in production groups producing four short films virtually.

Living in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales the young people are being developed by cinematography and lead programme tutor Sean Young, directing tutor Brian Robinson, editing tutor Chris Cook, sound recording and design tutor Alanah Walker, and screenwriting tutor Raisah Ahmed, with programme coordination from Steven Cook, learner development from Laura Findlay, and facilities coordination from Lara Richardson.

The cinematography learners are Sameen Ahmad, Mya Pask-Zulkiflee, Joe Williamson, and Tom Wilson.

Directing learners are Rowan Abbot, Rowan Attwood, Rhys Elsey, Angelica Gayle, Alicia Myers, Poppy Payne, Isaac Quinn, and Finlay Robertson.

Editing learners are Nicole Ablott, Honey Clark, Finlay O'Neale, and Jack Williams.

Sound learners are Hazel George, Tom Holmes, Amit Singh, and Grier Thomas Anderson.

Screenwriting learners are Imani Haven, Charlotte Imbert, Ross Lothian, and Vincent Wolff.

Industry masterclass guests include a focus on industry entry with BECTU Vision, the process from script to screen with writer/director Lucy Brydon, film festivals and exhibition with BFI Future Film Festival's Noel Goodwin, film marketing with Senior Vice President at Universal Pictures Elliot Linger, and a focus on craft roles and production dept's with a first assistant director, camera assistant, editor and screenwriter.