BFI FAN marks 75 years of youth culture in the UK
May-October 2026
The 2026 BFI FAN UK-wide season – Rip It Up – explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak – on screen in the UK.
Youth culture in the UK has a wide and varied history, from the defiant rebellion of Teddy Boys, mods and rockers and the many activist movements that have shaped our society to hedonistic self-expression in the music and fashion scenes and the emotional rollercoaster that simply is being a teenager – all of which have been portrayed on screen in a multitude of ways.
With The Southbank Centre marking the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain – a landmark moment of post-war cultural renewal – and the 50th anniversary of Punk being celebrated in 2026, BFI FAN members are invited to join in these UK wide celebrations and explore how youth scenes and counterculture have impacted and resonate to this day inspiring new generations and beyond.
Rip It Up has two core elements, both of which need to include big screen moments and offer audiences opportunities to reflect on the evolution of generational rebellion from the 1950s through to today here in the UK.
- Activity involving young programmers/creatives focussing on youth scenes and/or counterculture that they themselves are part of or can relate to with clear potential to engage their peers.
- Activity celebrating the transformative energy and evolution of youth culture over the past 75 years tapping into a selection of key titles with potential to engage a range of audiences across generations.
If you are interested in taking part in this UK wide season, please also read the Funding Guidelines that sit alongside this brief.
You must be a member of Film Hub South West as part of BFI Film Audience Network to access support from this programme.
