A-Z Databases: BFI Player: Library Guide

BFI Player is a video on-demand service from the British Film Institute, streaming acclaimed, landmark, and archive films. The focus is on British and European independent films, as well as international releases. UWS has an institutional subscription to this database. Please use the instructions in the 'how to access' box to set up your free subscription..

Access your UWS BFI Player subscription in 3 easy steps: 

1. Select this link and create an account OR sign in if you already have one, by selecting 'Already have an account? Sign in'
2. Select our university from the dropdown list 
3. Authenticate subscription using your university email address

Make sure you tick the box ‘I’d like to receive the newsletter’ for exclusive competitions, watchlists and other BFI opportunities via email. 

FYI: Once you've set up your subscription, you can simply login at BFI Player for the remainder of this academic year. You don't need to use the subscribe link.

• UWS users need to re-subscribe every year e.g., if you had an account last year, you simply need to visit this link and select 'Already have an account? Sign in'. Use your username and password set up last year, you will be prompted to select the university from the dropdown list and login. For the remainder of the year you can then login at player.bfi.org.uk 

• You can watch everything listed in the subscription tab
• You can create your own watchlist
• You can watch BFI Player films in the UK only, it is unavailable outside the UK because of licensor restrictions. BFI Player films cannot be watched via a VPN.
• Rentals and festival events are not included in the subscription offer
• To stream the films, you must have internet access and a BFI Player compatible device. You cannot download the films.
• More technical information is available here Help | BFI Player

• Explore by director, genre or language
• Explore the 'Free' tab - see shorts and features, showing the best from the BFI, national and regional archives - including 120 years of Britain on film
• Featured Collections
• Instant Film School
• Kermode introduces
• Sight & Sound greatest films poll - top 100

In line with most streaming platforms new titles are added each month and some may drop off – so register and bookmark BFI Player for regular visits and viewings.

The Reuben Library at BFI Southbank is available to everyone, free of charge. It contains a huge collection of books, journals and digitised material about the world of film, television and the moving image. 

Their Digital Library on Demand service is included as part of our BFI Subscription and is free for UWS staff and students.

Please email the library at library@uws.ac.uk if you have any questions.