Want to make your own short film?

FACT and Let's Make Films are looking for young filmmakers aged 16-19 to take part in a free film academy, supported by the BFI. The academy takes place between October 2026 and February 2027, where you'll work alongside fellow young filmmakers and a range of industry professionals to make a short film from start to finish. 

You will learn everything about development, production, post-production and distribution as you are guided through the filmmaking process. The academy will take place at FACT, with opportunities to join in with activities across Manchester and the North West.

Sessions will take place at FACT on weekends and with some Monday, kicking off during October half-term for an intensive hands on introduction to filmmaking during which you will shoot a scene that will be part of your final film.

Interested? Read on for more information. 

To apply, please complete this form by Wednesday 23 Sept 2026, 23:59.

What's Involved?

As part of a group, you will help make:

• 1 short film (up to 10 minutes long)

To do this, you will learn about and try your hand at screenwriting, camera operating, sound recording, directing, art design, editing, producing, sound design and composition, special FX, film programming and distribution. 

To find out more about any of these roles, check out this guide to working in Film and TV.

At the end of the academy, you can invite your friends and family to watch the films you have made at two celebration screenings, premiering your films at FACT in Liverpool and HOME in Manchester.

Where and when?

All sessions will take place at FACT in Liverpool, 88 Wood Street, L1 4DQ, except:

• Saturday 17 October and Saturday 20 February, which will take place at HOME in Manchester.

The BFI Film Academy course will take place on the following dates:

OCTOBER

Friday 2 - Successful applicants informed

Sunday 11, 10:00 - 18:00 - Kick Off meeting 

Saturday 17, at HOME, Manchester - 9am meet at Lime Street station for 9.19am train return for 2pm.
 

HALF-TERM WEEK COURSE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST SCENE PRODUCTION
 

Monday 26, 10.00 - 18.00

Tuesday 27, 11.00 - 17.30

Wednesday 28, 11.00 - 14.00

Thursday 29, 11.00 - 17.00 (time may change)

Friday 30, 10.00 - 18.00

NOVEMBER: SHORT FILM PRE-PRODUCTION

Monday 9, 17.00 - 20.00

Sunday 15, 10.00 - 17.00

Monday 16, 17.00 - 20.00

Saturday 21, 10.00 - 17.00

Sunday 22, 10.00 - 13.00

Monday 24, 17.00 - 20.00

Saturday 28, 10.00 - 15.00

Sunday 29, 10.00 - 15.00

DECEMBER: PRODUCTION FINALISATION

Saturday 5, 10.00 - 17.00

Saturday 12, 10.00 - 15.00

Sunday 13, 10.00 - 18.00 (Includes Christmas Party) 

JANUARY: FILMING AND POST-PRODUCTION

Saturday 9, 10.00 - 17.00 (Set Build)

Sunday 10, 10.00 - 17.00 (Set Build)

Saturday 16, 09.00 - 19.00 (Filming)

Sunday 17, 09.00 - 19.00 (Filming)

Saturday 23, 10.00 - 17.00

Sunday 24, 10.00 - 17.00

Saturday 30, 10.00 - 17.00

Sunday 31, 10.00 - 17.00

FEBRUARY: POST-PRODUCTION

Saturday 6, 10.00 - 17.00

Monday 8, 17.00 - 20.00

CELEBRATION EVENTS

At FACT Liverpool: Saturday 13 February, 10.00 - 13.00

At HOME Manchester: Saturday 20 February

Who is it for?

This academy is for anyone aged 16-19 years old, living in the Liverpool City Region and not attending university. We will support all participants with their travel costs to and from sessions, and encourage those. You don’t have to have any film-making experience or be studying art, media or film.

We’re particularly keen for people who don’t see themselves represented in Film and TV to take part. We will make every effort to support those with accessibility requirements.

How to Take Part?

If you’re interested in taking part, tap on the link below to fill out a form and tell us a little more about you. 

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 23 Sept 2026, 23:59.

Complete form

We’d like to know why you’d like to take part and what you’re currently up to, and to share links of things you’ve seen that you like (TikToks, Reels, music videos, YouTube clips, films). 

We’d also like you to propose a scene that takes place in a cabin in a remote location. You could tell us about the cabin and where it is, or who is in the cabin, a particular object, or a moment that takes place in or around the cabin. You can write a maximum of 200 words or bullet points, or upload a sketch or mood board for the scene, a video description or voice note up to a minute long.