BFI Film Academy: Short Film Script Call Out

Following our first BFI Film Academy last year, we’re preparing to welcome another cohort of 16-19 year olds to take part in this practical filmmaking skills development programme this October.

We’re looking for writers to submit an existing script to be made into a short film by this year’s Film Academy participants. The film will be up to approximately 10 minutes in length, and made during a course of practical filmmaking sessions, including 3 shoot days.

Submission deadline: 21 August 2025
Fee: £300

Script requirements

• Approx. 10 pages (10 minutes)
  
• BBFC rating:
  • U – Universal – Suitable for all
  • PG – Parental Guidance
  • 12A/12 – Suitable for 12 years and over; or
  • 15 – suitable for 15 years and over
    
• Please write submissions in screenplay format – ideally, industry standard formatting, such as:
  • Final Draft (free trial available)
  • Celtx (free trial available)
  • Writer Solo (free/pay what you can model
    or a similar layout
    
• Students will be shooting in Blackpool in November, please take this into consideration.
  • They have 3 days production time
  • Ideally, we’d like a maximum of 2 locations and a maximum of 3 on-screen characters
    
• All genres welcome

Selection process

After the submissions deadline, all scripts will be read and longlisted by our project team. The longlist will be passed on to our delivery staff, who will shortlist the scripts. They will then work alongside previous Film Academy participants to assess the shortlisted scripts and decide on their final choice. The writer whose script is chosen will be notified by 15 September 2025. If selected you must be open to small script changes due to production limitations and student creative interpretation.

How to apply

Please use the link below to send us your script. The maximum file size is 16MB.

Important notes

If your script is selected for the project, it will be creatively interpreted by the course participants. It may also be subject to minor cuts and edits by our project staff due to production limitations. 

• You will be invited to an initial read-through with the cast in October 2025.
• You will not be involved in the shoot or post-production of the film. 
• You will receive a credit in the film, and be invited to any screenings held once the film is complete.
• This is a non-commercial educational project.

For any questions or further information, please email us.