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Film activities

Film

From first short to feature film — discover filmmaking, screenwriting, and directing programmes for young people across the UK.

Your Film Journey

BFI Film Academy, NFTS, and Into Film clubs provide pathways from first script to professional production.

7-11

Into Film Club

Ages 7-11

Watching and discussing films, first storyboarding, and storytelling through moving image.

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls - Film Making 11-16 yrs

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

film

BRIT Kids – Filmmaking (Canterbury)

ClubHub UK

film
11-14

Junior Filmmaker

Ages 11-14

Short film production, basic camera and sound technique, and editing on iMovie/DaVinci.

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls - Film Making 11-16 yrs

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

film

BRIT Kids – Filmmaking (Canterbury)

ClubHub UK

film
14-16

GCSE Media/Film

Ages 14-16

GCSE Media Studies, youth film festivals, and BFI short film schemes.

Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice (Film & TV)

London Screen Academy

film

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls - Film Making 11-16 yrs

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

film

BRIT Kids – Filmmaking (Canterbury)

ClubHub UK

film
16-17

BFI Film Academy

Ages 16-17

BFI Film Academy residential and regional programmes, professional mentorship.

Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice (Film & TV)

London Screen Academy

film

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls - Film Making 11-16 yrs

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

film

BRIT Kids – Filmmaking (Canterbury)

ClubHub UK

film
17-18

Pre-Film School

Ages 17-18

NFTS/Met Film School preparation, first runner roles, and degree applications.

Level 4 Creative Enterprise

London Screen Academy

film

Level 4 Film Production

London Screen Academy

film

Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice (Film & TV)

London Screen Academy

film

Where Film Can Take You

The skills developed transfer to many careers in and around the field.

Film Director

Leading creative vision from script to screen

£35.5kmedian salary

Range: £26.2k - £45.7k

Source: ONS ASHE 2024

Key Skills

StorytellingLeadershipVisual styleCommunication

Typical Route

Short films → Music videos → Commercial work → Feature films

Cinematographer

Capturing the visual look of films and productions

£28kmedian salary

Range: £20.4k - £32.1k

Source: ONS ASHE 2024

Key Skills

Camera operationLighting designCompositionCollaboration

Typical Route

Camera assistant → Operator → Cinematographer → DoP

Film Editor

Assembling footage into finished films

£28kmedian salary

Range: £20.4k - £32.1k

Source: ONS ASHE 2024

Key Skills

Editing softwareStorytellingPacingSound design basics

Typical Route

Assistant editor → Editor → Senior editor → Head of post

Screenwriter

Writing scripts for film and TV

£32kmedian salary

Range: £23.2k - £41.6k

Source: ONS ASHE 2024

Key Skills

Story structureDialogueVisual writingPitching

Typical Route

Spec scripts → Short films → Commissions → Feature films

Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024

Film Heroes

These stars started at local clubs just like yours. Their journeys show what's possible.

Steve McQueen CBE

Film

Oscar winner — 12 Years a Slave, Small Axe series

Started atAge 14
FromWest London

“A Super 8 camera at 14 in West London. Stories are everywhere if you look.”

Edgar Wright

Film

Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver — British cult filmmaker

Started atAge 9
FromWells, Somerset

“I made films on my parents' camcorder aged 9. You do not need permission to start making films.”

Joanna Hogg

Film

Director of The Souvenir (BAFTA winner) — celebrated for intimate, autobiographical filmmaking

Started atAge 17
FromLondon

“I started with a Super 8 camera as a teenager. The desire to capture life honestly drives everything I make.”

Asif Kapadia

Film

BAFTA/Oscar documentary maker — Amy, Senna, Diego Maradona

Started atAge 15
FromHackney, London

“East London gave me the stories. Documentaries let me share them with the world.”

Featured Film Providers

These organisations offer structured programmes for young people across the UK.

N

New City College

3509 programmes

New City College is East London's educational powerhouse, formed from the merger of several historic institutions including Tower Hamlets College and Hackney Community College. With campuses stretching from Shoreditch to Hornchurch, they serve one of the most diverse student populations in the UK. What sets New City apart is their dual focus: high-level professional training (personal training diplomas, childcare qualifications) alongside intensive ESOL provision for the many first-generation immigrants in their catchment. Their campus locations put students within reach of London's job markets in fitness, hospitality, and early years. The college has invested heavily in modern facilities, including industry-standard fitness training suites and early years simulation rooms. For young people in East London seeking vocational routes into employment, New City offers genuine career launchpads rather than just qualifications.

View provider page →

Sample Programmes

First Foot in Film Screen Industry Starter Bootcamp Level 4

📍 Hornchurch

Ages 16–?

Film Studies AL - Year 2 of 2

📍 HORNCHURCH

Ages 16–?

Film Studies AL - Year 1 of 2

📍 HORNCHURCH

Ages 16–?

T

The City Literary Institute

3451 programmes

City Lit is London's adult education institution like no other — a place where you might study medieval literature in the morning and pottery in the afternoon, Latin alongside British Sign Language. Founded in 1919 to provide education for returning soldiers, it remains dedicated to learning for its own sake. Their curriculum is genuinely eclectic: from academic subjects like classical civilisation and creative writing through practical crafts like bookbinding and printmaking to holistic practices including Theta Healing. This breadth reflects their mission of lifelong learning rather than purely vocational training. For older teenagers and young adults interested in exploring subjects beyond school or college curricula, City Lit offers a unique environment. Their BSL courses are particularly renowned, while the ceramics and print studios attract serious practitioners. It's education as enrichment, not just employment.

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Sample Programmes

Film Moments 2

📍 London

Ages 16–?

City Lit expanded experimental film

📍 London

Ages 16–?

Spanish film evening

📍 London

Ages 16–?

ClubHub UK

ClubHub UK

2625 programmes

ClubHub UK is a directory of children's activities, classes and clubs across the UK. Founded in 2016, it helps millions of parents discover trusted activities for their children.

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Sample Programmes

BRIT Kids – Filmmaking (Canterbury)

📍 CT1 3AJ

Ages 7–18

Find Film Near You

Search by location, age, or programme type to find clubs and courses in your area.

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