BFI NETWORK Shorts School: Producing Short Films

Film London / BFI NETWORK

Dates: 23–26 February 2026
Eligibility: Open to producers and filmmakers; free to attend (registration required)

BFI NETWORK Shorts School is a free, four-day online programme designed for filmmakers developing or producing short films. The course explores collaboration, financing, production and navigating the industry, with talks, Q&As, screenings and networking sessions led by filmmakers from BFI NETWORK–supported projects. All sessions are recorded and fully captioned.

Script Development Workshop

My First Job in Film

Date: 25 February 2026
Eligibility: Free for MFJF Pro Members (Use code NEWSLETTER to get 50% off your first PRO Membership)

You’ve had a great story idea - but how do you turn it into a screenplay that attracts producers, directors and financiers? Led by producer Jack Tarling (KNEECAP, God’s Own Country), this interactive workshop explores story structure, character development, giving and receiving notes, and how scripts move through development. A must-attend session for emerging writers or filmmakers developing narrative projects.

Inside Screen 2026

BFI NETWORK South West

Date: 28 February 2026
Eligibility: Open to 16–25-year-olds interested in film, TV and immersive media

Inside Screen is an all-day, low-cost event in Bristol aimed at young people looking to break into the screen industries. The programme includes screenings of recent BFI NETWORK-funded shorts with filmmaker Q&As, panels on producing, insight into regional TV opportunities, and a practical introduction to networking followed by a structured networking session with industry professionals. Tickets cost just £5.

Northern Directors: Shadowing & Mentoring Programme

Film Hub North / BBC / Clerkenwell Films

Deadline: 27 February 2026, 5pm
Eligibility: Directors based in the North of England with an established short-form track record; must not have directed HETV

Northern Directors is a paid shadowing and mentoring programme for emerging directors ready to progress into high-end television. Two directors will each complete a two-week on-set shadowing placement on the BBC drama Shy & Lola, produced by Clerkenwell Films, in Hull and Grimsby. The opportunity includes mentoring from an experienced director, pays £1,000 per week, and covers travel and accommodation, with placements taking place in April and June 2026.

BIFA: Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention

British Independent Film Awards (BIFA)

Date: 4 March 2026
Eligibility: Open to film and screen industry professionals at all career stages

This 90-minute online training session from BIFA is designed to build confidence in recognising, preventing and responding to bullying and harassment in the workplace. The course covers handling disclosures, understanding escalation and support options, challenging inappropriate behaviour and demonstrating allyship. The session operates on a pay-what-you-can model to ensure accessibility to anyone who might find it useful.

Write Across Bradford

BBC Writers

Deadline: 10 March 2026 at 12 noon
Eligibility: Writers aged 18+ living full-time in the Bradford District; no prior credits required

Write Across Bradford is a free, eight-week development programme for emerging writers at the early stages of their careers. Running from July to September 2026, the programme offers weekly workshops, industry sessions and peer networking focused on developing an original TV drama or comedy-drama series idea, culminating in a one-page pitch. Delivered mostly online with some in-person sessions in Bradford, the scheme supports up to 12 writers and covers travel and access costs.

BFI NETWORK England Short Film Funding

BFI NETWORK

Deadline: 18 March 2026, 11am
Eligibility: Early-career filmmakers based in England applying with original fiction short films up to 15 minutes

BFI NETWORK England Short Film Funding awards National Lottery grants of £5,000–£25,000 to support early-career filmmakers making original fiction shorts across live action, animation and immersive/VR. Projects should be scheduled to start production between November 2026 and October 2027. The fund prioritises bold storytelling, creative risk, equity and career progression, and offers successful teams both financial support and creative input from BFI NETWORK Talent Executives.

Upcoming Virtual Mentor Sessions

My First Job in Film

Deadline: Rolling, book ASAP!
Eligibility: Free for MFJF Pro Members (Use code NEWSLETTER to 50% off your first PRO Membership)

Looking for tailored career advice from working industry professionals? Our upcoming 1:1 mentor sessions give you direct access to producers, directors and department heads across HETV, features and commercials. There’s multiple slots available across the month and they’re ideal for anyone looking for practical, honest advice on breaking in, progressing or repositioning their career.