More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Could you be Kent's next famous film maker?
A BFI Film Academy course, run in partnership with Screen South, will give 20 young people the opportunity to gets hands-on experience in the film industry.
Scroll down to hear from the head of the Kent BFI, Jo Nolan
Mdhamiri Á Nkemi was in the first cohort in 2013 and has since become a renowned film editor with multiple film festival awards.
And Oscar-winning film maker Andrea Arnold, who has worked on well-known titles including Fish Tank and Big Little Lies, grew up in Dartford.
BFI is looking for 16 to 19 year olds interested in anything from script writing to camera work to come and learn the ropes.
Those selected will create two short films over 10 Saturdays between October and February.
They will learn about all aspects of the production with help from industry professionals, and can specialise in a particular area.
Most sessions will be held at Screen South in Folkestone, with possible trips to Maidstone Studios.
Films made on the course will be screened at various locations including the Quarterhouse in Folkestone, and distributed online.
Students will also get to visit BFI in London and meet people from BAFTA and the National Film School.
Jo Nolan, who runs the film academy, wants to emphasise you don't have to have made films before to apply.
She said: "If you have an interest in film all you need to do is help us understand where you're coming from creatively.
"Maybe you have written lyrics for a song before or like painting - don't be shy, show us.
"Film making is all about ideas and supporting other people's ideas too - it's that kind of team approach we want people to engage in."
Taking part in the course will also give you the chance to apply for National Residential Academies and BAFTA mentoring.
Jo, who is also managing director of Screen South, added how the county is an attractive place for film makers.
She said: "A lot of film producers come to Kent, firstly because it's so close to London but also, there is a real range of different settings. You can shoot an historic castle then turn around and be in a council estate.
"Kent Film Office is also very good at supporting production."
Entry to the BFI Kent Film Academy is open until Thursday, September 26.
There is an admin fee of £25 but bursaries for this plus travel costs and child care are available.
The academy encourages applications from all backgrounds.
