Chesterfield film academy sees huge response as expansion plans gather pace

A new Chesterfield-based film and screen acting academy is already looking at expanding before its first classes have even begun, following an encouraging response from families and people interested in getting involved.

Motion Film Academy, which is due to launch in January 2027, was originally established to give young people aged 11 to 17 the opportunity to explore the world of film and television in a practical, hands-on environment.

But the response to the project has exceeded expectations, prompting founder Stanley Roubaix to look at bringing additional tutors on board and potentially opening further classes to accommodate demand.

The academy takes a slightly different approach to traditional performing arts schools by bringing screen acting and filmmaking together.

Rather than concentrating solely on acting or theatre performance, students will have the opportunity to work with cameras, learn directing techniques, explore lighting and sound, develop characters and actually make films together.

For Roubaix, an experienced filmmaker and actor, the idea is about giving young people an opportunity to discover what they are capable of, regardless of whether they see themselves in front of the camera or behind it.

"One of the things I wanted to create was somewhere young people could come along, try something different and discover skills they might not even know they have.

"Some will arrive wanting to act. Others might be fascinated by cameras, directing or editing. What makes the project particularly exciting is that they get to work together, just as they would on a real film production.

"It's not simply about teaching somebody to deliver lines. It's about creativity, communication, teamwork and building confidence through actually doing something."

The interest generated by the academy has now created an unexpected challenge: finding enough suitably experienced people to help deliver the programme.

Motion Film Academy is actively looking for additional screen acting tutors who have experience working with young performers and an interest in developing the next generation of on-screen talent.

The intention is to build a larger teaching team and introduce additional classes as demand grows.

Roubaix is also exploring opportunities to take the academy into other towns and cities through a franchise model.

The idea is to work with people who have a background or genuine interest in filmmaking, acting, drama or education, giving them the opportunity to establish their own local academy using the Motion Film Academy model.

"There's enormous potential for this concept beyond Chesterfield. There are talented filmmakers, actors and creative people in towns all over the country, but not necessarily the opportunities or facilities for young people to learn these skills locally.

"I'd like to find people who share that vision and would enjoy building something of their own in their community.

"We're not looking to simply put our name on a building. We want to find the right people who understand the value of what we're trying to achieve."

For now, the immediate priority is preparing for the Chesterfield launch in January and finding the additional creative talent needed to help the academy grow.

Parents interested in opportunities for their children, prospective screen acting tutors and people who might be interested in establishing a franchise in another area can find further information at www.motionfilmacademy.com.