Beginners Film School – Summer 2026

Become a young budding filmmaker from around the globe to take part in our intensive director training programme. Aimed at those with little or no practical filmmaking experience, this comprehensive two-week course will give you the foundations and the confidence you need to make your start. 

The training places an overwhelming emphasis on making films. In small groups, you will learn how to direct actors, act, understand the fundamentals of cinematography, production etiquette, recceing locations, turn ideas into dramatic short scripts, and edit. The course will also teach you that filmmaking is about communicating your ideas and working with others in a creatively rich way. 

Each participant will make 3 short film exercises, each one building on from the next. These exercises are dictated by practical restraints designed to allow participants to evolve creatively. As the course progresses, the exercise limitations become looser. The exercises are screened and critiqued throughout the course, where you will be able to reflect on your and others’ work and quickly learn from your mistakes and remedy them for the next shoot. 

In addition, the course offers group workshops in screenwriting, camera work, editing and sound design. The learning culminates with the production of your final short film, which will be made with the help of a professional cast, crew and of course your peers.  

Before the course begins, you are encouraged to come up with at least two ideas that you might consider filming. These ideas will evolve as you discuss and think about them rigorously throughout the course. They must be 5 minutes maximum in duration and feature two characters, ideally in one location.  

At the end of the course, each participant will receive a certificate of attendance, plus a USB of rushes and assembled footage which may be used for showreel purposes or as part of an application portfolio. 

A summary of the course is available below. Please keep in mind that course content is subject to change. 

Week One  

The first sessions are all about filmmaking fundamentals: identifying the building blocks that make a Short Film successful, and how to Direct Actors and sculpt performance. You will get to practise your learning immediately by completing the 1st directing exercise with your peers: participants must select a short excerpt from a script and will, in small groups, each rotate roles in directing, camera operating, and acting. This exercise allows participants to focus on using the language of direction and understand how basic composition is used to accentuate drama. You will be assisted by assistant production managers, who will ensure shoots are completed in the allocated time. Rushes are assembled by a trained team of Editors who, along with the course leader, will provide feedback for the following day’s critiques.  

The first week continues with screenwriting, cinematography, and editing classes taught by professionals who will guide students through the creative process of developing story ideas, capturing them visually effectively, and examining how different editing choices using the same rushes can affect an audience’s reaction. Participants will be developing original ideas for their 2nd directing exercise in between these sessions and will recce potential exterior locations. This exercise takes place on location, again, participants rotate roles in directing, acting and camera operating. Editors assemble rushes and again provide feedback for the following day’s critiques.  

Week Two 

Though there will be a short break in the course to recharge (1 day and ½), during this time participants will be expected to conceive ideas for their final directing exercise. 

This 2nd week is no less intense, though! Participants will have the opportunity to work with an industry-standard camera, offering them a glimpse into what it takes to achieve cinematic-style shots using a camera dolly. This class emphasises technique, concentration, teamwork and strong, clear communication. As participants continue to fine-tune and complete their scripts for the 3rd directing exercise, you will have the opportunity to recce your final locations, discuss your vision with trained cinematographers, and rehearse with trained actors. The following two days are then devoted to filming your last exercise. Participants who aren’t directing will be supporting shoots in secondary roles such as Boom Operating, Camera Assistant and Assistant Directing. After the shoot, participants will work with Editors to shape their films.  

The final day will feature a Q&A with a filmmaker whose career is on the rise, and this is your chance to find out as much as you can about how to get into festivals and directing high-end shorts. All films are then screened and critiqued by the tutors, and we will review how far you’ve progressed from your first exercise to your last. Lastly, this will be followed by a celebratory farewell event.