Apply to Director Lab 2025

BFI NETWORK South West, in partnership with Bournemouth Film School (BFS), is pleased to announce that our Director Lab is back and taking place over a whole weekend this summer! The Lab will provide two in-person days of tutor-led masterclasses. This includes workshopping with professional actors and the opportunity to utilise your skills in shooting a pre-written scene on a bespoke film set with the support of BFS crew. We will cover one overnight stay in Bournemouth and any reasonable travel costs. Lunch will be provided. 

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Who is the Lab for?

Please note that this is not an entry-level scheme. This Lab is aimed at directors/writer-directors who have previous experience in directing live-action fiction, or those with drama-doc experience and the ambition to develop their scripted showreel. It’s designed to give you advanced skills in directing actors, a heightened appreciation of character-focused storytelling, and a creative challenge under tight parameters. 

At the end of the Lab you will have increased confidence in your craft, some advanced tools and techniques to utilise on your next fiction film, and some great new contacts for future collaborations. 

We’re looking to select up to six directors to take part in this Lab. You must be based in the south west of England (see region map on our FAQs page), aged over 18 and not in full-time education. 

Applications are now closed.

Timeline

Applications open: Mon 28 April

Applications close: Fri 23 May 5pm

Applicants notified (via email): Thu 5 June

Brief chats with shortlisted candidates (15min, Zoom): Tue 10 June

Participants confirmed: Wed 11 June

Lab takes place: Fri 27 & Sat 28 June (includes one overnight) 

 

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