Brunel University London and the British Film Institute (BFI) have entered a partnership that will give students in Brunel’s Media & Communications, Film Studies and Journalism programmes access to the BFI’s film streaming service, professional development opportunities, and access to short courses.
The creative partnership, which started on 1 September 2023, is part of the BFI’s initiative to collaborate with higher education institutions with strengths in media education, research and innovation. Students studying undergraduate or postgraduate programmes where film plays a central role will have access to these opportunities; this includes courses in the subject areas below:
Promotional shot of Sick of Myself movie (Source BFI)
At the heart of the partnership is BFI Player, a streaming service showing hundreds of independent films from the UK and across the globe, a valuable educational resource for students studying film and media. In addition to award-winning, critically acclaimed, landmark and archive films, it also offers additional exclusive content on the making of specific productions. Alongside the ‘set text’ films that are part of core teaching across Brunel’s course, students also will be able to watch more widely for a greater appreciation of movies from visionary directors, brilliant screenwriters and celebrated actors.
Students will also have the unique opportunity to learn from industry experts through:
- a BFI training opportunity and series of workshops honing key skills and knowledge, that will put students in a strong position as they prepare to target their first roles in industry.
- a Sight and Sound masterclass in media journalism
- online careers masterclasses, in which BFI and film and TV industry figures convene talks and discussions with the aim of illuminating and engaging students with professional opportunities across the sector
- a BFI careers day
- a student trip to the BFI’s home on London’s Southbank.
The partnership has, from the Brunel side, been spearheaded by Niki Ashby, senior lecturer in Digital Film Technology, and by Dr Paul Moody, senior lecturer in Media and Communications.
Speaking about the partnership, Professor Tom Betteridge – Executive Dean of the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences at Brunel – said: “We are excited to be starting this significant partnership with the BFI. Access to BFI Player will open up invaluable opportunities for our students to engage with film and media, both as part of their formal programme of study and as part of the wider student experience at Brunel. Our partnership with the BFI is focused on key objectives around media teaching and employability within the creative and cultural sector. Working with the BFI will allow us to further enhance the quality of our media education offering, and to gain insights and opportunities from a world-class organisation at the centre of the UK’s thriving film industry.