BFI NETWORK Midlands

🎤 Pass the mic Ahead of our BFI NETWORK Midlands Short Film Showcase at Flatpack Festival, we took a look at last years ultra talented panel with: @taylahalfacre @georgiecowanturnerdirector @simi.notes @jameswilliammellors @qianhui_yuu 📢 Be some of the first people to see new UNRELEASED work supported by BFI NETWORK in the Midlands. Proving, you don’t need Hollywood to make great films 🏆 PLUS, our BFI NETWORK Talent Executive will be there! 🎬 BFI NETWORK Midlands Short Films x Flatpack Festival PANEL + Q&A 📆 15 May 🕑 2 PM - 3:30 PM 📍The Mockingbird, Birmingham @mockbirdcinema 🎟 Find out more and book at flatpackfestival.org.uk #proudlymidlandsmade

Calling writers working in animation! Four BFI NETWORK Hubs (@filmhubsw , @filmhubnorth , @networkfhm , @networkfhse ) have teamed up with ScreenSkills Animation Fund (@uk_screenskills ) to create this new lab for writers to develop, experiment and expand their skills and understanding of storytelling in animation. The lab will support up to 12 early-career writers already working in animation, or with the ambition to write for animation. With a range of speakers and masterclasses on subjects such as structure, collaboration and audience, the lab will offer tangible and practical insights to the exciting visual potential of animation storytelling. Applicants must apply with a short film idea, and selected writers will then work with a script editor to develop it during the lab. The lab will run from Mon 29 June to Wed 30 Sep. The lab will take place mostly online with one in-person day at Aardman in Bristol (reasonable travel expenses will be covered). Applications are now open and will close on Mon 11 May. Find out more through the link in our bio. Image credit: Traces dir. Tilly Wallace (funded by @bfinetworkfhse )

💡Applications are open for BFI NETWORK Midlands Feature Ideas Writing Lab! Now closed Designed for eight emerging writers from across the Midlands, ready to move towards their debut feature film. This is a space to spark inspiration and begin shaping the stories only you can tell. 🎨 Discover how to dig into your own creative instincts 💫 Experiment with new approaches ✍ Gain a stronger sense of your own voice 📜 Come away with tangible starting points for a feature-length narrative Led by story developer and screenwriter Laura Jayne Tunbridge. In-person @broadway cinema ~ 12 April Online sessions ~ 15 & 17 april 🔗 For more information, head to the link in our bio! 📆 Application deadline: 23 March 2026, 5pm. Image from our short film fund slate film Pennywort, dir. Rebekah Fortune @r4tunefilm @networkfhm @bfinetwork

🎬 MIDLANDS MIXERS ANNOUNCEMENT! Join us at Borderlines Film Festival! The BFI NETWORK Midlands team will be hosting their annual Filmmaker Mixer following the Open Screen short film showcase. 🔗 Sign up via the link in our bio 📍Where: The Courtyard, Hereford 📅 When: Sunday 8 March | 4.30pm - 6.30pm Expect: ✨️ A chance to meet the BFI NETWORK Midlands team 🎥 Insight into the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund and how it supports emerging filmmakers 🎤 An opportunity to ask questions during a relaxed Q&A 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 Plenty of time to network with fellow filmmakers old and new from across Herefordshire, Powys, Shropshire, and Worcestershire who love film just as much as you! @networkfhm @borderlinesfilmfestival @courtyard_arts @thecourtyardcinema

💥You don’t have to battle through guesswork alone There are just a few tickets left to join our BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund Application Walkthrough, where we will guide you to: 🔸Get a clearer understanding of the questions in the form as we take them on one by one 🔹Get the full picture on how we assess the applications 🔸Have your burning questions answered 📆 Wednesday 4th March 🕕 6pm - 7.30pm Online 🔗 Book all BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund sessions via the link in our bio P.S We won't be covering budgeting in this session, but if you would like to learn more about creating a budget for your short film, join us for our online Budgeting Workshop on the 11th March

Join us for speed networking at Nottingham Contemporary tomorrow - Sunday 22nd February at 4:30pm Head to events in the link in bio to find out more. Travel bursaries to attend are available for Midlands based filmmakers.

🎬 Now available to book - BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund events and sessions! Join us for the below opportunities designed to help you learn more about the fund, figure out the best way to apply, make connections and get answers to your burning questions 🔗 Book via the link in our bio 📜 Information Session 18 February (TOMORROW) 6pm - 7:30pm Online ⚡Speed Networking 22 February 4:30pm - 6:30pm Nottingham Contemporary ⚡Speed Networking 25 February 6pm - 7:30pm Online 👯‍♀️ Short Film Fund Application Walkthrough 4 March 6pm - 7:30pm Online 💸 Short Film Fund Budgeting Workshop 11 March 6pm - 7:30pm Online 🎤 Quick Question Friday 13 March 9am - 6pm Online Deadline for applications is 18 March, 11am

📢 Calling all emerging filmmakers in the Midlands! Are you ready to build a sustainable, confident and connected career in film? 💫 In partnership with BFI NETWORK, BFI Film Academy Midlands invites emerging filmmakers and creatives to a full day of panels, talks, and networking, exploring careers, production, programming, wellbeing, and more 🗓 Saturday 14 March 2026 🕙 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM 📍 @broadwaycinema , Nottingham Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your career in film, this is your chance to: 🎙️ Hear from industry pros & creatives 💡 Join panels, talks & insight sessions 🤝 Build real connections with peers & organisations 🎯 Discover opportunities to sustain your career in the screen industry 👥 Explore the industry marketplace & network all day 🎬 Finish with a celebration screening + Q&A featuring some of our recently made BFI Film Academy & BFI NETWORK short films 🎟️ Join us for a single session or stay for the full day! 🚉 Travel a barrier? No worries - travel support is available (details on the booking link in our bio). 👉 Book your spot now! @networkfhm @bfifilmacademy @filmhubmidlands #BFINetwork #FilmAcademy #FilmIndustry #MidlandsFilm #Filmmakers #Networking #FilmCareer #BroadwayCinema #Nottingham #CreativeCommunity #IndustryDay

🎬 @bfinetwork Short Film Fund is now open for applications from filmmakers in the Midlands! This fund supports the production costs of standalone fiction shorts, live-action, animation, and immersive/VR. (Not supporting adaptations of existing material) 💵Filmmakers can apply for amounts from £5,000 up to a maximum of £25,000 📆 Applications close on 18 March 2026 at 11am 🔗 Follow the link in our bio to apply We will be hosting free events and roundtables designed to help Midlands filmmakers with their Short Film Fund applications - Look out for more details coming soon! BFI NETWORK Talent Executives are also available for 1-1 general support with applications bookable on our website.

👋 Come and say hey to BFI NETWORK Midlands at our @indie_lincs Industry Talk this week! 📆 6 February 🕒 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM 📍 Lincoln Arts Centre 🎫 Find tickets to attend Indie Lincs @lincsartscentre Join the industry talk for application tips on the upcoming Short Film Fund! #filmfestival #filmfunding #shortfilm #lincolnfilm

⏳ Less than one week left to apply! Applications for the BFI NETWORK Midlands Directors Lab are closing soon. 🌟 Start 2026 with a career-defining opportunity and join two inspiring days of roundtable discussions, workshops and panels led by industry experts and actual working directors. During the Midlands Directors Lab, you will: 🔸 Learn more about how to direct for TV 🔸 Improve directing skills 🔸 Make the leap from shorts to features 📍 Activity will take place across 21 - 22 February (Please be available for both dates) @broadwaycinema Travel and accommodation will be provided for successful applicants. 📆 Application deadline: Sunday 25 January. 🔗 Find out more via the link in bio!

Applications close this weekend for our Midlands Directors Lab! Do you have a background in directing shortform and want to make the leap to your debut feature or HETV? Apply to join us for a weekend of talks, practical sessions and screenings to learn more about your next steps in directing. Link in bio to apply!