Creative Futures

Inspiring the Next Generation of Filmmakers, Storytellers and Creative Professionals

Norwich Film Festival’s Creative Futures programme is designed to help young people discover the opportunities available across film, television and the wider creative industries.

Through industry events, careers talks, screenings and networking opportunities, we connect students and emerging talent with professionals working across the creative sector, helping them explore career pathways, develop industry knowledge and build confidence in their future ambitions.

Whether you’re taking your first steps towards a creative career or preparing to enter the industry professionally, Creative Futures provides opportunities to learn, connect and be inspired.

Two Events. Two Stages. One Creative Journey.

Our Creative Futures programme consists of two dedicated industry events, each tailored to a different stage of the creative journey.

Creative Futures Schools & Colleges Day

Exploring Creative Careers

Designed for:

KS4 Students
Sixth Form Students
FE Colleges

This dedicated careers-focused event introduces students to the wide range of opportunities available within film, television and the creative industries.

Students will hear directly from industry professionals and discover how subjects including English, Art, Design, Technology, Media, Business and Computing can all lead to exciting creative careers.

Students will:

Meet filmmakers and industry professionals
Discover careers beyond acting and directing
Learn about university, apprenticeship and training pathways
Participate in live Q&A sessions
Gain insight into creative career opportunities

Perfect for students exploring future study options and career pathways.

Creative Futures Undergraduate & Emerging Talent Days – NUA & UEA

Preparing for the Industry

Designed for:

University Students
Film & Media Undergraduates
Recent Graduates
Emerging Filmmakers

Our university and emerging talent events focus on helping the next generation of creative professionals bridge the gap between education and industry.

Sessions explore the realities of building a sustainable creative career while giving attendees opportunities to hear from and connect with filmmakers, producers, writers and other industry professionals.

Topics may include:

Breaking into the industry
Freelance careers
Festival strategy
Funding and development
Networking and collaboration
Building a portfolio and professional profile
Developing creative projects
Practical creative workshops

Ideal for students, graduates and emerging professionals preparing to take the next step in their creative careers.

Why Creative Futures?

The film and creative industries offer far more opportunities than many young people realise.

Our goal is to demonstrate that there is no single route into the industry and that creative careers are accessible through a wide range of skills, interests and educational backgrounds.

Creative Futures showcases careers across:

Film & Television
Animation
Visual Effects
Screenwriting
Production
Editing
Sound Design
Marketing & Distribution
Digital Media
Creative Technology

Provisional Programme

A typical Creative Futures event may include:

Time	Session
09:30	Registration & Welcome
10:00	Keynote Industry Talk
11:00	Careers in Film & Television Panel
12:00	Lunch
13:00	Workshops & Industry Sessions
14:15	Student Q&A
15:00	Closing Remarks

Final programme and speakers confirmed closer to the event.

Creative Futures Opportunities

Creative Futures goes beyond our festival events.

Throughout the year, Norwich Film Festival works with partners to help create and promote practical opportunities for emerging filmmakers and creative talent – from training and development to funding, collaboration and the chance to get work made and seen.

Current Opportunity: Colton Lives

Norwich Film Festival is proud to be a partner in Colton Lives, a new documentary filmmaking opportunity supporting the next generation of factual storytellers in Norfolk.

Created in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts, the National Centre for Writing, Young Norfolk Arts Trust and Colton’s Acre General Trust, the project will select three aspiring documentary filmmakers to develop and direct their own short films exploring the lives of people who live or work in the St Giles parish of Norwich.

Successful applicants will receive:

A £1,500 bursary
Workshops and training in factual filmmaking
Support to research and develop their documentary
The opportunity to work with graduating Norwich University of the Arts film students
Access to professional filmmaking equipment and resources
A world premiere at Norwich Film Festival in 2028

The opportunity is open to anyone aged 18 or over who lives, works or studies in Norfolk and can demonstrate an interest and commitment to factual storytelling.

You don’t need professional documentary filmmaking credits to apply. Relevant experience could include filmmaking, journalism, blogging, podcasting or other forms of storytelling.

Find Out More & Apply

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Visit the National Centre for Writing website for full eligibility details and information about how to apply.

Find Out More & Apply

Information for Schools, Colleges & Universities

We understand that organising educational visits requires clear information and planning.

To support teachers, tutors and careers leads, we provide a comprehensive information packs.

Email us at creativefutures@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk to receive a pack

Information Pack Includes:

Event overview
Learning outcomes
Draft programme schedule
Speaker information
Group booking guidance
Travel information
Safeguarding information
Promotional assets for newsletters and social media

Supporting Creative Futures

Creative Futures exists to help young people access opportunities within the creative industries, regardless of background or location.

Support from partners, sponsors and funders enables Norwich Film Festival to expand the programme and create more meaningful opportunities for the next generation of creative talent.

Your support helps us:

Subsidise student places
Increase access for schools and colleges
Bring leading industry professionals to Norwich
Deliver workshops and practical learning opportunities
Support emerging regional talent
Develop partnerships with education and industry
Create meaningful pathways into creative careers

If your organisation would like to help us inspire and support the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers and creative professionals, we’d love to hear from you.

Support us by emailing creativefutures@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

Register Your Interest

Whether you’re a teacher, careers adviser, lecturer, student, emerging filmmaker or industry professional, we’d love to hear from you.

Register your interest to receive updates about future Creative Futures events, speakers and opportunities.

6th - 15th November 2026

Inspiring the Next Generation of Filmmakers, Storytellers and Creative Professionals

Two Events. Two Stages. One Creative Journey.

Creative Futures Schools & Colleges Day

Exploring Creative Careers

Students will:

Creative Futures Undergraduate & Emerging Talent Days – NUA & UEA

Preparing for the Industry

Topics may include:

Why Creative Futures?

Film & Television

Animation

Visual Effects

Screenwriting

Production

Editing

Sound Design

Marketing & Distribution

Digital Media

Creative Technology

Provisional Programme

Time

Session

Creative Futures Opportunities

Current Opportunity: Colton Lives

Successful applicants will receive:

Find Out More & Apply

Information for Schools, Colleges & Universities

Supporting Creative Futures

Support us by emailing creativefutures@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

Register Your Interest

Register Interest by emailing creativefutures@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

Inspiring the Next Generation of Filmmakers, Storytellers and Creative Professionals

Two Events. Two Stages. One Creative Journey.

Creative Futures Schools & Colleges Day

Exploring Creative Careers

Students will:

Creative Futures Undergraduate & Emerging Talent Days – NUA & UEA

Preparing for the Industry

Topics may include:

Why Creative Futures?

Film & Television

Animation

Visual Effects

Screenwriting

Production

Editing

Sound Design

Marketing & Distribution

Digital Media

Creative Technology

Provisional Programme

Time

Session

Creative Futures Opportunities

Current Opportunity: Colton Lives

Successful applicants will receive:

Find Out More & Apply

Information for Schools, Colleges & Universities

Supporting Creative Futures

Support us by emailing creativefutures@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

Register Your Interest

Register Interest by emailing creativefutures@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

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