North East England 2025-26
Jack Drum Arts is proud to be Regional Lead Partner delivering the BFI Film Academy Short Courses across North East England alongside our regional consortium partners ACT 2 CAM, Beacon Films and Writers’ Block North East.
Are you interested in a career in the film and screen industry?
Are you 16-19 (or 20-25 with an EHCP)?
Do you want to learn from professional filmmakers and make your own work for FREE?
Sign up to one of our BFI Film Academy Short Courses for the chance to:
work as part of a team to make at least one short film, working at pre-production, shoot and post production stages,
attend masterclasses by film professionals,
access industry equipment,
see your own work on the Big Screen at a regional BFI Film Academy Short Course screening event,
be part of the BFI’s growing network offering year-round events, opportunities, and more!
Sounds good, where can I find out more and sign up?
There are four locations throughout North East England where you can sign up and take a course this autumn. See below for a BFI Film Academy Short Course near you.
PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL COURSE PAGES FOR APPLICATION OPENING DATES AND INFO.
Worried about how to get to your nearest course? Travel costs can be supported, contact your nearest centre for details.
ACT 2 CAM
NORTH TYNESIDE
Contact: info@act2cam.com
ACT 2 CAM is a person-centred drama school where young people make and star in their own films. They run inclusive and welcoming after-school and weekend classes, where creative children and young people can choose from all areas of film production, including screen-acting classes, filmmaking classes and production design classes.
ACT 2 CAM is running an 11 session BFI Film Academy Short Course starting on Sat 1st November 2025. This course is FREE to attend.
Riverside Family Hub
Minton Lane
North Shields
NE29 6DQ
and The Big Local
158 Whitley Road
Whitley Bay
NE26 2LY
BEACON FILMS
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Contact filmacademy@beaconfilms.org.uk
Beacon Films is a production company based in the North East of England, which supports the talents and creativity of disabled and/or neurodivergent filmmakers and exhibitors. The BFI Film Academy Short Course, Delivered by Beacon Films, is open to all with a special focus on creating a supportive and inclusive environment for disabled and neuro-divergent young people.
The BFI Film Academy Short Course is starting on Sun 26th October 2025 with a taster session on Sat 11th October so you can find out more and decide whether the course is for you. This course is FREE to attend.
4 Glendale Terrace
Byker
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne & Wear
NE6 1PB
JACK DRUM ARTS
COUNTY DURHAM
Contact: bfi@jackdrum.co.uk
Jack Drum Arts is a community arts organisation situated in the heart of Crook, County Durham. Over three decades, we have evolved into a vibrant hub, uniting diverse communities, including adults, young people, and families.
Jack Drum Arts is running an 11 session BFI Film Academy Short Course starting on Mon 27th October 2025.
St Cuthbert’s Centre
Church Hill
Crook
Co. Durham
DL15 9DN
WRITERS’ BLOCK NE
MIDDLESBROUGH
Contact: wbne2020@gmail.com
Since 2010 Writers' Block has been active in Teesside, running creative sessions and inspiring writers to write. A number of writers have been made offers by prominent agents as a direct result of WBNE opportunities, and to date four of our writers have been published.
Writers’ Block NE is running an 11 session BFI Film Academy Short Course starting on Sun 23rd November 2025.
The Dorman Museum
Linthorpe Rd
Middlesbrough
TS5 6LA
