Evaluation of the BFI Film Academy 2020-21 - AWARD

BACKGROUND The BFI's current strategy, BFI 2022 outlines how we intend to give everyone the educational opportunity to build a lifelong relationship with film ; to create clear progression paths for future audiences and talented young people and ensure that film is celebrated and explored in formal education. Our plans for 2017-22 have a focus on maximising the impact of education, learning and skills initiatives across all our funded partners.

Since 2012, the BFI Film Academy scheme has been providing opportunities for talented and committed young people between the ages of 16-19 to develop new skills and build a career in the film industry, no matter where they live or what their background. Led by industry experts, BFI Film Academy courses cover every area of the industry, enabling young people to develop the commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to make those first steps. Our aim is to find film talent wherever it is in the UK and to ensure that the opportunity is available to all. After its ninth year of operation, there are now almost 8,000 alumni in the BFI Film Academy network.

Over the next period, we wish to build on and further professionalise the Department for Education-backed BFI Film Academy, while continuing to ensure young filmmakers from a range of diverse backgrounds get the opportunity to take part. To achieve this, the BFI, with funding from the Department for Education in England (DfE), National Lottery, Creative Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen deliver the BFI Film Academy UK Network Programme.

BFI FILM ACADEMY PROGRAMME Now in its ninth year and open to young people from anywhere in the UK, the BFI Film Academy offers a real chance for talented 16-19 year olds to develop the specialist filmmaking skills they need to be part of the future of the UK film industry - no matter where they're from or what their background. The BFI Film Academy offers bursaries to help those in need with costs, ensuring it is open to as diverse a range of young people as possible.

The BFI Film Academy comprises a regional programme of 48 courses across the UK, 6 specialist residential programmes covering animation, documentary, programming and audience development, screenwriting and visual effects, a one week Craft Skills course in Edinburgh and a two week craft skills residential programme at the National Film and TV School in Buckinghamshire.

On diversity, the Academy is succeeding in all areas - in 2019/20, approximately 77% courses are outside London, 25% of the participants were from BAME communities, 19% in receipt of free school meals, 16% have a disability and there is 53% female representation. We also offer bursaries and allowances to ensure the courses are available to everyone.

SCOPE The BFI is seeking a contractor with the appropriate knowledge and expertise to undertake comprehensive monitoring and evaluation for the BFI Film Academy during 2020/21.

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