Youth Lab

Youth Lab is one of the proudest achievements of the Cambridge Film Festival over recent years and is a key focus as we move into the next 40 years of CFF.

It is an exciting, young person-led film education initiative focusing on young people’s film evaluation and criticism skills, as well as encouraging communication and network building. It is open to anyone aged 16-24, specifically addressing participation from under-represented communities and those at risk of social exclusion.

"My first goal within the Youth Lab was to build personal connections with the members and network with other professionals."

Raveen Choudhury

Youth Lab runs regular film discussion groups, workshops and networking events, as well as presentations by industry professionals (previous guests have included Mark Kermode, Beth Webb, Simon Mayo, and Simran Hans). During the Covid pandemic, the Youth Lab partnered with the BFI to produce and present a special online screening of County Lines, which included an in-depth interview with director Henry Blake.

"Youth Lab has connected me with a range of like‑minded individuals that share a profound interest in filmmaking."

Chloe Kelly

As well as developing film knowledge and industry connections, participants build self-confidence as they progress through the Youth Lab programme. Over 80% of participants go on to employment or higher education within the film industry! In fact, both our Short Film Programmer and Programming Panel Lead for CFF41 are previous Youth Lab participants.

Youth Lab is for everyone and actively recruits people from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, from minority communities, or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

If any young people would like to join the 2023 cohort, please email Abby, the Youth Lab Lead, at abby@cambridgefilmtrust.org.uk