The BFI’s first course on FutureLearn, a collaboration with the National Film and Television School (NFTS), is available now. Entitled ‘Explore Filmmaking: from Script to Screen’, the course is supported by the Lottery-funded BFI Film Academy. This provides opportunities for young people aged 16-19 to learn more about the film industry and the range of disciplines it encompasses.
The course will begin on 2nd February 2015 and run for six weeks. It will see a team of award-winning filmmakers – whose credits include The Crying Game, Leaving Las Vegas and Touching the Void – guide learners through their own approach to telling stories. They will also demystify their individual filmmaking specialisms – from writing and directing to cinematography, editing and composing.
FutureLearn CEO Simon Nelson said: “As the internet continues to transform learning and education, it is heartening to see more and more of the world’s great cultural and storytelling institutions using free online courses to reach brand new audiences and nurture new talent.”
The BFI joins 39 internationally renowned universities and three cultural bodies in the FutureLearn partnership – the British Council, British Library and British Museum – delivering free short courses to anyone with an internet-connected device. As well as developing its own courses, the BFI will share its expertise in filmmaking, and open up its content archive to other FutureLearn partners creating film-related courses.
Paul Gerhardt, the BFI’s Head of Education, said: “This important new initiative will extend the reach of the highly successful BFI Film Academy programme. FutureLearn provides an opportunity to connect with even more talented young film makers, and to inspire them to join the creative production sector. The BFI has always had an education mission and we are delighted to be able to join this great experiment in social learning.”