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Young Creatives

Young Film Programmers

image of a panel seated in front of a cinema screen which has the Barbican logo displayed

Transform your passion for film into practice by curating, marketing and delivering the Chronic Youth film festival at the Barbican.

Young Film Programmers is a programme aimed at 16 to 25 year olds who are passionate about film and eager to dive into the world of programming.

As a Young Film Programmer you will be equipped with the skills to put on film events, find out exactly what it takes to create your own cinema event and spend quality time with a group of people who are as enthusiastic about film as you are. 

Guiding you through the programme is our esteemed course leader, Isra Al Kassi, an experienced programmer and co-founder of T A P E Collective and has worked for Reclaim The Frame, Catford Mews and the Ritzy Cinema. Each month she will be joined by Curators from our Cinema team or film industry guests who will give you insights into programming, marketing, running events and festivals, film distribution and other aspects of film production and exhibition.

During the course, you are required to watch many films from around the world, widening and honing your tastes and acquiring programming skills, moving on to collectively programme, market and deliver Chronic Youth film events in our cinemas. Outings are organised to other venues to watch films.

Please note, participants will be required to watch films and work on the programming between sessions.  There will also be deadlines for submitting the programme to the cinema department and marketing deadlines for the festival to meet. 

We are no longer accepting applications for the 23/24 programme.

Join Young Barbican

Be there when it happens with discounted access to unmissable art and entertainment as well as events and creative opportunities for 14-25 year olds
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‘‘Fantastic. Such care and passion was shown and I’ve left the programme inspired to continue working as a curator and programmer.‘
Past Participant

More info

Discover: Young Film Programmers

Young Film Programmers

Hear directly Young Film Programmers about their experience as a young creative.

‘‘[it] has highlighted career paths I never knew existed. For me working in film was a secret and unachievable dream, but thanks to you all this is no longer the case'‘
Young programmer, 2016

Film at the Barbican

a fantastic photo of boy blue entertainment the barbican centre's artistic associates

Watch: Short Films

Commissioned or curated by us, you’ll experience a taste of the Barbican through architecture, performance and drama in our short films, filmed in and around the Barbican.

Watch more

Apply Now

Applications for the Young Film Programmers 23/24 programme are now open!

Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible opportunity. Fill out the application form by Tuesday 12 September 2023. For any questions, reach out to [email protected] with the subject line 'Barbican Young Film Programmers'. 

We are no longer accepting applications for the 23/24 programme.