BFI Film Academy Labs
Labs are free Q&A sessions that provide young people interested in film with industry insight, professional advice and support to develop their own programming and filmmaking practices.
These monthly events are supported by the National Lottery and take place online. You can find out more information and sign up for future events on the BFI Film Academy website, or look below!
We are planning our next session, why not watch previous LABS while you wait!
Lab registration is presented below!
Creating Commercial Content
Join us from 18:30 – 19:45 on Monday 25 March, for a conversation led by award-winning, BFI NETWORK-supported filmmaker Alfie Barker. Alfie will be discussing his journey into filmmaking, and sharing insights on his experience producing content for commercial platforms.
Alfie’s work spans both fiction and documentaries, and has screened across international film festivals including Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), BFI London Film Festival, Sheffield DocFest, and Aesthetica. He has worked on commercial campaigns with brands including Doc Martens and Primark, and has recently had his work featured on Channel 4.
About Alfie Barker
Alfie Barker is a Leeds born/based writer and director who grew up making short films with his dog instead of going to uni. His recent BFI-funded fiction short HALF WAY premiered and won Best British Short Film at Leeds FF 2023. His short HANGING ON premiered at TIFF (Toronto), long-listed for a BIFA, shortlisted for a Grierson Award which went onto win both Best British Short and UK Audience Award at Encounters FF. He is a previous BFI Future Film Award winner, Sundance Ignite Finalist and Berlinale Talent 2024.
Commercially he has worked with talent that include KNUCKS, LOYLE-CARNER, JAMAAL EDWARDS and AMBAR DRISCOLL. He wrote and co-directed a two part mini doc that was funded and supported by YouTube Music and UnTold Studios. Previous clients include Nike, Dr Martens, Primark, Converse, Underarmour, etc.