BFI FILM CLUB

Want to learn the difference between flipaclip and stop motion studio and how to use them both to make animations? Maybe you just love films and want to have fun finding out more about how they are made or try your hand at creating your own short animated film? A new online film course from the British Film Institute (BFI) aimed at young people aged 12 – 15 years old from West Yorkshire and further afield will support you to do just that and starts next month. 

Focusing on animation, the 7 day online BFI Film Club encourages you to get creative and gives you the skills and confidence to start making your own animated films. You’ll learn more about model making, how to make a flipaclip and lots of other filming techniques to create a series of short animated films of your own guided by friendly film professionals who’ve worked for companies such as the world famous, four times Academy Award winning Aardman Animation, creators of Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run

We are looking for 20 young people aged 12-15 years old who want to find out more about film and think they might like to try for the first time, or further develop, their filmmaking skills over the Easter holidays – previous filmmaking experience isn’t necessary. If this is you, please complete the simple application form here –

What you’ll do on the course:

  • Have fun completing daily fun tasks and filmmaking challenges
  • Learn about claymation and make your own characters from plasticine
  • Be supported to create your own stop motion mini film in a day
  • Get top tips on how to write stories and create your own storyboard
  • Find out more about careers in film from some of the best industry professionals
  • Make a flipaclip
  • Watch and discuss films
  • Work with sound to make your own soundtrack
  • Learn about shot types and camera movements and angles

We will use Google Apps for Education, Discord and Zoom to access the online course so it will be useful to have an internet connection and device you can connect to the internet with such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone – if needed, we will work with you to resolve any gaps in home connectivity you may have
The new BFI Film Club builds on the success of Bradford’s BFI Film Academy which has run annually in the town since 2015 for 16-19 year olds and helped many local young people find work in the film industry. Reel Solutions, who also deliver the Film Academy in Bradford will deliver the Film Club in partnership with Screen Argyll who deliver fantastic online animation courses for the BFI Film Academy scheme. 

Cats are Liquid – Iona Wilson – BFI Film Academy 2020


We are so pleased that Bradford has been chosen as one of the first locations to launch the BFI Film Club scheme made possible by funding from BFI National Lottery and the DCMS Youth Accelerator Fund. It is hoped that the programme will continue to grow and develop next year adding more locations throughout the UK. 


The course will run for 7 days starting on Saturday 20 March with daily sessions from 10am – 3:30pm on Saturday 27 March, Monday 29 March – Thursday 1 April and Saturday 3 April 2021.
The course costs £20 which covers all software and course materials required and supplied. We welcome applications from young people from all backgrounds. If you think you will struggle to pay the course fee, please still apply – if your application is successful, we’ll make sure you can attend – bursaries are available to cover costs. Applications close at 5pm on Monday 15th March.