A programme helping teens get from their social feeds to the film set.
Most people think kids are wasting time on social media, but in reality, many of them are teaching themselves to edit, perform, direct and create.
Ahead of the EE BAFTA Film Awards, we built Set the Stage to turn those digital skills into real ones. In partnership with BAFTA, Daisy Edgar-Jones, David Jonsson and a team of industry experts, 16 young creators were taken from their feeds to a professional film set, learning every part of the craft before producing their own short film: Setting Sail.
How it worked
We opened applications on Instagram and TikTok, inviting teenagers to DM @EE with something they created with the word “STAGE.” From hundreds of entries, 16 young creators were chosen and brought to BAFTA 195 Piccadilly for a week-long crash course in filmmaking.
Guided by Daisy Edgar-Jones, David Jonsson, and a crew of BAFTA-winning mentors, they learned how to write, shoot and produce a film from scratch. The result - Setting Sail - was shot on location with full professional kit, ready to premiere in early 2026.
The behind-the-scenes content and lessons are now part of EE LearnSmart, so thousands more can learn from the same experience.
Impact
Set the Stage turned passive scrolling into active learning, giving teenagers their first real experience of life on set and proving that social media skills can translate into screen careers. The programme deepened EE’s partnership with BAFTA, generated wide coverage across national and industry press, and strengthened LearnSmart’s position as a credible platform for youth education and opportunity.
With Setting Sail premiering in early 2026, the initiative continues to inspire a generation to see their phones not as distractions, but as their first tools for creativity.
Recognition & PR
The programme is still ongoing but has been covered widely across both entertainment and industry press including LBBOnline, British Cinematographer, Televisual, and Creative Salon - all highlighting the programme’s unique approach to youth filmmaking and digital skills development.