What you'll gain

• Mentorship from industry-leading experts
• Access to a network of professionals working in film, as well as connection to a community of fellow curators and programmers at the Barbican
• Hands on experience programming and delivering a large-scale film festival. Gaining practical skills in marketing, event planning, decision-making, and live hosting skills
• Greater knowledge of film and the film industry
• Access to Barbican screenings, exhibitions and shows

What you'll do

• Work as a collective to deliver the Chronic Youth Film Festival.
• Organise the public facing events, such as Q&As, panel discussions, workshops etc.
• Liaise with film makers, film distributors and various Barbican departments.
• Conduct audience research and create an outreach plan to market to target audiences.
• Contribute to the overall design of the festival, including posters, social media assets and foyer spaces.

What we're looking for

• Young people aged 16–29
• Open-minded, enthusiastic, and passionate about public programming, film and/or other creative disciplines.
• Open to trying something new and challenging yourself.
• Enjoy and thrive working as part of a collaborative team. Able to advocate for your ideas whilst making space for others too.
• Confident you’ve time to fully commit to the programme, all session dates, and work in between sessions. Ability to meet various deadlines.
• No prior qualifications needed.

The selection process

• APPLICATIONS OPEN FROM LATE SUMMER
• Filmed/audio recorded answers to questions 6-9 in Section 3 of the form are welcome. For all other questions please write in the box provided.
• If you do not include answers in sections 1-2 it will affect the outcome of your application as this is essential info.
• Once applications are reviewed, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a recruitment workshop which serves as a chance for our team to get to know you within the context of the group setting as well as for you to get a taste of the programme itself and if it’s right for you. We will also hold an online recruitment workshop for those who are unable to attend in person and shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a member of the team if they want to.
• After the recruitment workshop, a panel made up of Isra Al Kassi, Blair Davis (Young Creatives Producer) and Rikky Onefeli (Assistant Young Creative Producer) will decide the final cohort, based on the written application and recruitment workshop.
• If you have any questions or have access requirements relating to the application process or programme, please get in touch! Email [email protected] with ‘Barbican Young Film Programmers’ in the subject line.

Schedule

• Barbican Young Film Programmers sessions will run at the Barbican Centre every Wednesday evening 6pm – 9pm and on occasional weekends, from early Autumn 2025 until mid Spring 2026
• The Chronic Youth Film Festival will take place in April 2026.
• An evaluation session will take place after the festival.

General information

• Young Film Programmers is an in-person programme but can be attended in a hybrid format if required.
• We encourage and will support you to attend in-person if able to, but participation via Microsoft Teams is there when you need e.g., for mental and/or physical health conditions, disabilities, or if feeling unwell/testing positive for Covid.
• Your ability to participate in the programme in-person versus online, does not affect your application. 
• The programme takes place in step-free spaces with accessible toilets on the same floor.
• We do not have fragrance-free areas, though do encourage people to be mindful of how strong fragrances may adversely affect others. 
• The programme is generally relaxed in nature, meaning stimming and tics are welcome, and people can leave the space if they need to. There are opportunities for regular breaks during sessions and we aim to ensure quieter spaces are available nearby. 
• This programme is not currently BSL interpreted.

Bursaries

A bursary fund is available to assist in covering the cost of travel, childcare, Wi-Fi, or other costs that would prevent your application or participation. 

• Bursary Information
• Download the bursary scheme guidance
• Download the bursary scheme guidance in large print 

COVID-19 impact

• We strongly encourage you to stay home if you feel unwell or test positive for Covid, and to always be mindful before encroaching on other’s personal space.
• We’re aware there may be members of the group with Covid-related health vulnerabilities/anxieties. As such, we encourage mask-wearing when participating in-person and will check-in on a regular basis to ascertain the ongoing needs of both individuals and the group.
• The programme will take place wholly online if there is a lockdown or be adapted if increased social distancing measures are required.