Start your filmmaking journey today

Our next training academy will take place in the Easter Break – 7th to the 11th April. 9:30am to 4:30pm

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The Blackburn Film Academy will once again be opening its doors to budding filmmakers aged 14 to 19 that live in the Blackburn with Darwen area. During the Easter break we will deliver filmmaking masterclasses and take you through the process of making a short film in a week.

Following on from our successful first event in February we are super excited to welcome another team of creative young people from our region. Successful applicants will join us in to our film studio and editing suites to work alongside the professional team of filmmakers from the BFA and our partners from the world-leading National Film and Television School.

Our professional crew is made of experienced and award winning professionals including a Director, Producer, a Director of Photography, an Assistant Director as well as the Development Manager from the NFTS and the Director of the BFA.

Meet the Crew

Director of Photography – Jenni Suitiala

Director – Beth Rowland

Rosie Perry – Producer

Director of the Blackburn Film Academy – Rich McKenny

All places on the course are free to successful applicants and your completed film will be screened to family and friends at the Blackburn Festival of Film in July!

To apply for a place, you simply need to complete the form below. Don’t worry if you have no film making experience, we are looking for creative young people with the ambition and drive to work in our brilliant industry. If you believe that is you, we want to hear about it!

In no more than 500 words tell us why you would love a place on our course.

Director of Photography – Jenni Suitiala

Jenni Suitiala is a Finnish director of photography based in the UK shooting narrative film as well as documentary. After studying cinematography in her home country she relocated to the UK in 2010 and worked her way up in the lighting department in TV dramas and features (Judy, Peaky Blinders, Dad’s Army, Utopia). Her films have screened on Oscar and Bafta qualifying festivals (Aesthetica, Iris Prize, Leeds International Festival) as well as Channel 4. She’s a member of illuminatrix rising and Bafta Connect.

IMDB

Director – Beth Rowland

Originally from Stoke now based in Manchester, Beth work’s collaboratively using workshopping and improvisation to develop authentic, character driven stories.

Beth’s BFI backed short Bury the Dogs starred Paddy Rowan (Time, Little Boy Blue) and Frank Harper (Football Factory, Lock Stock) was supported by Producers Hollie Bryan (Cosmosquare Films) & Diva Rodriguez as well as Executive Producer Shane Meadows. Bury the Dogs Premiered Internationally at Clermont Ferrand 23 and screened at BAFTA & BIFA qualifying festivals including Bolton & Norwich.

Beth has also directed several episodes of British TV drama, Waterloo Road.

IMDB

Rosie Perry – Producer

Rosie is a respected figure in Yorkshire’s TV industry with over a decade of experience in production, strategy, and leadership. She began as Executive Assistant to the legendary Kay Mellor at Rollem Productions, going on to play a pivotal role on multiple HETV dramas including Love, Lies & Records, Girlfriends and The Syndicate.

Since becoming a freelance producer in Autumn 2024, Rosie has served as a jury member for the RTS North West Awards; produced a scripted mini-series with Northern Imposters; and, joined the Creative Cities Convention to produce a Skills Summit for the conference in Bradford in May 2025.

Director of the Blackburn Film Academy – Rich McKenny

Rich is and experienced live television camera operator and sports photographer. He has 12 years of experience working in film education that has seen numerous students go on to win awards and forge exciting careers in all departments of the film and television industry.

He started the Blackburn Film Academy (BFA) as a means to bring exciting filmmaking opportunities to the young people of Blackburn with Darwen and inspire them to pursue a career that might at first seem out of their reach.

Working out of Blackburn College’s amazing film studio and edit suites, with the support of Blackburn with Darwen Council and our friends at the National Film and Television School has allowed the BFA to deliver unbelievable training and experiences for the young people of our region.