New Year’s Resolutions come in all shapes and sizes, yet most are guided by the same impulses: the urge to uncover a new version of ourselves, or to give space to a side we’ve long felt waiting beneath the surface. The greatest challenge, however, is taking that very first step.
At London Film Academy, we believe that anyone who wants to enter the world of film – and all its different avenues – should have a suitable outlet to do so. Not everyone has the time and means to drop everything, take a career break, and enrol in one of our flagship BA (Hons) Filmmaking or MA programmes. Finding the time in a busy life is one of the most common and reasonable reasons that people don’t get to fulfil their New Year’s Resolutions.
When we launched our short courses over a decade ago, this was one of the fundamental pillars of their conception: offering prospective filmmakers intensive, enriching academic study without prohibitive time commitments or experience thresholds. We want passionate storytellers, regardless of their background or current career. It doesn't matter if you have no prior experience in filmmaking whatsoever; our courses are designed to be accessible to skill levels, with our tutors tailoring their teaching accordingly.
As we enter 2026, our short courses continue to deliver on this promise, offering people from all walks of life and career paths the chance to dip their toes into a specialised area of filmmaking that they’ve always wanted to pursue.
Is entering the world of film one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Here’s what we offer to help you get started:
Filmmaking Certificate – 4 Weeks
If you’re keen to learn more about filmmaking but not sure of what area you’d like to specialise in, our flagship Filmmaking Certificate short course is the perfect catch-all experience. You’ll get a taste of each of the key roles on a film set, get a grasp on the fundamental principles of film, and walk away with a showreel of short films that you can use to take your first step into the working world. The best part: you get hands-on experience with our range of ARRI Alexa cameras, which are the industry standard and are used on professional film sets across the globe.
Check out upcoming Filmmaking Certificate dates here.
Directing Certificate – 4 Days
Want to jump straight into the director’s chair? Our intensive, four-day Directing Certificate is exactly what you need to immerse yourself in the thrills and responsibilities of directing a film crew. You will direct a short film in a studio environment with a full camera crew and professional actors and have the opportunity to screen your film at the end of the course in our on-site cinema. It’s the perfect, time-efficient way to get directing experience and see if you want to take your filmmaking dreams further.
Check out upcoming Directing Certificate dates here.
Cinematography Certificate – 1 week
Reckon your place is behind the camera? Our Cinematography Certificate provides newcomers with the chance to get a feel for life through the lens and see what they can bring to a director’s production. You’ll be introduced to key concepts including lighting, camera operation, framing, colour correction, and grading, and get a sense for what a good director of photography can – and should – bring to an on-set production.
Check out upcoming Cinematography Certificate dates here.
LFA also offers a two-day Cinematography: Shooting and Lighting for Film & Digital short course, which focuses purely on those two crucial aspects of cinematography.
Check out upcoming Cinematography: Shooting and Lighting for Film & Digital dates here.
Documentary Filmmaking Certificate – 6 Weeks
Looking to focus on telling real stories with visual quality and fidelity? Our Documentary Filmmaking Certificate offers rookie filmmakers a comprehensive crash course on non-fiction filmmaking in just six weeks. You’ll learn key interviewing techniques, hone your camera and sound skills, and develop a final project through use of broadcast-quality digital cameras and Adobe Premiere Pro. You’ll then pitch your final project to a panel of documentary industry professionals, and have it screened for yourself and your peers.
Check out upcoming Documentary Filmmaking Certificate dates here.
Intro to Documentary Certificate – 1 week
Want to explore factual filmmaking in a tighter timeframe? Our one-week Intro to Documentary Certificate distils some of the key elements of our six-week course and provides future documentarians with the chance to grasp the basics of the medium and better position themselves for pursuing their own personal documentary projects.
Check out upcoming Intro to Documentary Certificate dates here.
Screenwriting Certificate – 2 weeks
Got an idea for a film that you want to craft? Wish you knew how to translate your stories to the screen? Our Screenwriting Certificate teaches budding screenwriters how to write story outlines and scene-by-scene breakdowns and think in a character and narrative-driven manner – all as you write film screenplay of your own. You’ll then workshop your ideas in small groups with film and TV industry professionals and get practical experiencing in pitching and presenting your work. This short course is an ideal way to put get your ideas on the page and beat writer’s block.
Check out upcoming Screenwriting Certificate dates here.
Producing: Certificate, Production Management, and Budgeting & Scheduling – 1 to 5 days
Do you want to gain a greater understanding of producing a film? Keen to learn more how a producer interacts with other heads of department on a film set? Look no further than our variety of Producing short courses. Our Producing Certificate is well-suited towards individuals who are workshopping a script and would get a realistic overview of the complete development process. This includes handling talent and budgets, pitching to financiers, and learning the best recruitment methods for heads of department and crew members.
Check out our upcoming Producing Certificate dates here.
LFA’s Producing: Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling is four days and offers a comprehensive look at how to use Movie Magic, which is the industry-recognised software used globally for ensuring productions stay on-budget and on-time. Films live and die by budget and schedule management, and learning the ropes on this will make you all the more employable when it comes time to look for roles on set.
Check out our upcoming Producing: Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling dates here.
Thirdly, our Producing: Production Management one-day course covers the key duties and day-to-day tasks like paperwork and risk assessments. You’ll explore the intricacies of location scouting and location management and learn crucial basics on film risk assessments and post-production workflows.
Check out our upcoming Producing: Production Management dates here.
At London Film Academy, we’re keen to work with passionate storytellers in whatever capacity they’re looking to pursue filmmaking. Film is one of life’s great arts, and everyone has a story to tell. Share yours in 2026.