If you would like to enter the SE15 Young Filmmakers Competition and need help with planning, shooting or editing your film, why not get in touch with a local filmmaking project for young people?

Here are two to try – they both offer free filmmaking sessions for young people and support this competition.

Southwark Visual and Performing Arts

Southwark Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) organise free workshops in SE15 and can help you with your film if you’re making it from scratch or just need some editing time, support or advice.

Their Skool's Out Art Club, for example, is a film, animation and arts group for young people aged 11-16 and take place Thursdays, 5-7pm, at Bellenden Old School, Bellenden Road SE15.

They also offer a young women’s filmmaking group and Flix, a group for older teenagers and young adults. For more details contact Louise Doherty on 020 7525 8914, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.southwark.gov.uk/vapa or www.whtvr.org/get-involved/vapa.

2Inspire

2Inspire run a free film school (Tuesdays 6-9pm) where you will learn about the script writing process, cinematography, directing, producing, editing, sound recording and acting skills.

You can interact and work with other aspiring filmmakers and use the facilities and equipment such as Apple Mac computers and the centre camcorders to direct, shoot and edit your own film.

The film school takes place at 1a Wendover, Thurlow Street, London SE17 2UD. For more information visit www.2-inspire.co.uk or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel 020 7703 4309.

Useful websites

Interested in making films? Take a look at these useful websites.

BBC Blast - helping yong people aged 13-19 sharpen their creative filmmaking skills, plus there's also a useful list of other helpful organisations that give a hand to budding filmmakers.

First Light - lots of helpful advice about making a film.

Pocket cinema - watch a film by filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (director of Bend it Like Beckham), shot on her mobile film. Shows what can be done with a simple mobile phone.

My Street - if you want to make a film about your street you could send it to us and to this website too.

You and I Films - a guide to a few film techniques which you might find helpful

Apprenticeships and training

If you are interested in a career in the film and TV industry you might want to think about applying for an apprenticeship - a nationally recognised training programme combining real work with learning and training. The following links will give you more information about apprenticeships and other training opportunities.

Four Corners - runs short courses, talks and workshops, plus free training programmes and work placements for unemployed people to develop their practice and careers in creative media- offers young people paid apprenticeships within Film and TV

Diva Films - an independent training provider, including creative apprenticeships

Apprenticeships – about apprenticeships and how they work

Skillset – apprenticeships in the creative media

Creative and cultural skills – more information on apprenticeships

Training opportunities - informationa about media and communications training courses

ITV traineeships – opportunities to get a first step on the career ladder  

Creative Choices – advice on developing a career in the creative and cultural industries

Not going to uni – advice on jobs and training 

London Film Academy - up-to-date practical training to TV and film standard

London Film School - training film students for over 50 years  

London Academy of Film Media and TV  - helps aspiring students gain access to the media, film and TV industry