Prestigious BFI Academy places for young New College filmmakers

By Barrie Hudson - 10 April 2024

College & Higher EducationEducationArts and Culture

Three New College Swindon Media students won places at the BFI Academy in London’s intensive documentary filmmaking course.

Of the hundreds who apply for a place on the course at the world-renowned London institution, only 40 succeed.

NCS candidates Ryan Walters, Chris Salata and Zach Coates said they found the application process fairly easy as they feel so passionately about the course. 

Whilst making their documentaries, the students attended Zoom master classes and met many different characters to help inspire their choices.

Ryan Walters focused his documentary on the over-population of honeybees in London. This was inspired by one of his friends, who found a hive on their building.

Chris Salata, who wrote a documentary about traditional headgear kaffiyeh, said: “My documentary is very on-topic. I want to spread awareness and clear up any stigma. I hope that this gets used in the future to help educate in schools.”

Zach Coates said: “Love and religion shouldn’t conflict. My documentary is about a gay vicar in London who is in a civil partnership.” 

When asked about their documentaries, the students said it was difficult to find the right people to be involved, but every 'failure' led them to something good, such as meeting a taxi driver who imparted some fantastic knowledge for one of the documentaries. 

Zach is hoping to go to the Boom Satsuma University in Bristol to study Film Making & Production.

The academy's intensive course in documentary filmmaking offers the chance to collaborate with other like-minded young filmmakers to produce a documentary, use specialist equipment, get an understanding of career routes and learn tricks from industry professionals.

To secure their places, students completed an application form detailing their experience and why they wanted to get involved, and pitched their ideas. 

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