Over the years, Bradford filmmakers have won four Academy Awards for their work.

Shipley-born Tony Richardson got two for his 1963 feature film Tom Jones. James Hill got one in 1960 for a short black and white film called Giuseppina. Three years later another of his short films, The Home-made car was nominated for an Oscar.

Keighley-born Simon Beaufoy got the fourth Oscar for his work on the screenplay of Slumdog Millionaire, a film which also won him a Golden globe and a Bafta.

As part of the film festival’s Filmmakers’ Weekend on April 20-21, Beaufoy, who also wrote The Full Monty and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, will be giving a masterclass on the craft of screenwriting.

He will be sharing his experiences of the movie industry, which often isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, and what it takes to create scripts for films that turn out to be commercially and critically successful.

Special guest speaker is director and producer Menelik Shabazz. He rose to prominence in 1981 with Burning An Illusion, made with the BFI Production Board.

Menelik has directed and produced films for BBC, Channel Four and ITV, and is the founder and editor of Black Filmmaker Magazine. A continual pioneer of black British cinema, Menelik’s most recent film is The Story Of Lovers Rock (2009), which looks at black British music history.

Producer Ed Barrett of Hook Pictures will give an insider’s perspective on how to make a career in getting films funded, made and screened.

Topics covered during Filmmaker’s Weekend will include: developing low-budget features in a recession, new funding opportunities such as engaging private investors, tax break schemes and crowd funding; implementing effective distribution models; working with actors; composing for film; a producers’ master-class, and a director’s toolkit talk.

Kathryn Penny, film manager at the National Media Museum, said: “BIFF has often included an industry element, but 2012 saw the first year of the Filmmakers’ Weekend in partnership with Northern Film School at Leeds Met. In this second year of the weekend, we have asked delegates to apply as a writer, producer or director.

“Most sessions are universal to all filmmakers, but there is one session per day for the individual disciplines. The weekend is primarily intended for independent filmmakers who are currently in or want to be in the filmmaking industry.

“We wouldn’t exclude anyone with an interest in filmmaking, but typical delegates might be first feature makers, post graduate students or filmmakers who have been involved in shorts and want to make the leap to features.

“It would be a very fulfilling and inspiring weekend also for someone making tentative steps with their first short film project. All delegates with get practical tips and insider knowledge from our industry experts and guest speakers.

“There are only a couple of directors passes left, but still some availability for writers and producers. For details and tickets, visit nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/ bradfordinternationalfilmfestival, or call the usual box office number.