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Cinema Today

Classes

Thursday 01 May - Thursday 10 July 2025, 6pm-9pm

10 sessions - Check class timetable

Overview

Contemporary cinema is an artistic activity, a cultural practice and a technological phenomenon all at once. Our Cinema Today short course will introduce you to thinking about, exploring and analysing cinema today and we will consider two vital questions:

  • What are the key changes that cinema has undergone in recent years? 
  • How have these affected our experience as spectators and students of film?

The course is structured around six key themes: 

  • Movie-going
  • Digital culture 
  • World cinema 
  • Film festivals 
  • Film criticism 
  • Film history

The course will enhance your ability to analyse films and introduce you to some essential theoretical texts in film studies. You will consider contemporary practices and immerse yourself in cinema culture by meeting film professionals working in the exhibition sector and by visiting the BFI library and film archives.

Assessment is via a research report of 1000 words (25%) and a 3000-word essay (75%).

This can be taken as a standalone short course or as a part of:

30 credits at level 4

  • Entry requirements

    Entry requirements

    Most of our short courses have no formal entry requirements and are open to all students.

    This short course has no prerequisites.

    As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.

    International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.

  • How to apply

    How to apply

    You register directly onto the classes you would like to take. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early. If you wish to take more than one short course, you can select each one separately and then register onto them together via our online application portal. There is usually no formal selection process, although some modules may have prerequisites and/or other requirements, which will be specified where relevant.