Cambridge Film Festival Youth Lab
The Youth Lab is one of the Cambridge Film Festival's proudest achievements over recent years and is a key focus as we move into the next 40 years of CFF.
The Youth Lab is an exciting, young person-led film education initiative focusing on young people’s film evaluation and criticism skills and encouraging communication and network building. It is open to those aged 16-24, specifically addressing participation from underrepresented communities and those at risk of social exclusion.
Participants have opportunities to learn about careers in the film industry, conduct interviews, develop critical and writing skills, or work on film production and exhibition.
The Youth Lab is kindly supported by the Postcode Places Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People's Postcode Lottery, the Cambridge City Council, the Cole Charitable Trust and the Herefordshire Community Foundation.
"Joining the Youth Lab is a massive advance for local youth wanting to get into film. I've met industry professionals and experimented with various aspects of filmmaking in less than a year"
Rotem Perry
The Youth Lab runs regular film discussion groups, workshops, networking events, and presentations by industry professionals. Previous guests include Academy Award-winning director Asif Kapadia (known for his documentaries Amy, Senna or Diego Maradona), as well as film critics Mark Kermode, Beth Webb and Simon Mayo, amongst many others.
Over 80% of participants go on to employment or higher education within the film industry!
In addition to developing film knowledge and industry connections, participants build self-confidence as they progress through the Youth Lab programme. In fact, both our Short Film Programmer and Programming Panel Lead for CFF41 and CFF42 are previous Youth Lab participants.
A key contribution of the Youth Lab is its role in selecting and presenting the prestigious Youth Lab Jury Award. This award allows the group to spotlight a film that resonates deeply with them, reflecting their fresh perspectives and unique insights. By championing a film of their choice, they honour exceptional storytelling and amplify the voices and values of a new generation of film lovers.
Learn more about the Youth Lab Jury Award
"Being in the Youth Lab has been a lovely experience. I've met incredible people, built my confidence and had opportunities I never thought I would have. It's a supportive group that I am exceptionally grateful to be a part of."
Rhianna Roe
The Youth Lab is for everyone and actively recruits people from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, from minority communities, or from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is completely free of charge and we have bursaries available to support young people in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire to attend the sessions.
Interested in joining the Youth Lab?
Register Your Interest** Please note that we are currently particularly interested in recruiting those aged 16 - 21 from diverse backgrounds. Our recruitment prioritises young people who: are from low-income households, have spent time in care, are not in education, employment or training (NEET), have disabilities or long-term health conditions, or belong to minority ethnic groups. **
For more information, questions, or referrals, please email Abby, the Youth Lab Lead, at abby@cambridgefilmtrust.org.uk
