The National Film and Television School has published its third Graduate Impact Report, demonstrating how its graduates “quickly take centre stage in an industry vital to the UK economy”, the organisation has said. Covering 2020–2024, the report highlights the “critical…
Beatrice da Gama on reflecting the grit of 1700s Cornwall in the visual language of her NFTS graduate film, Bal Maiden. In the rugged landscape of 1700s Cornwall, Bal Maiden unfolds as an intense, unpaved road movie centred around two…
Rufai “Roo” Ajala rose to the challenge of shooting a feature on a short film budget for their ambitious graduate project, Que Te Vaya Bonito, Rico (May It Go Beautifully for You, Rico). Rico, an aimless teen from a strict…
Cinematographer Owen Cant reflects on crafting a sense of chaos in a seemingly everyday setting in NFTS graduate film Trouble. Trouble explores the intricate dynamics between two brothers in their early 20s, as they attempt to navigate their divorced parents’…
Essi Hyrkki leant into a naturalistic, documentary-style visual storytelling when crafting her NFTS graduate film Latcho Drom. Latcho Drom is a subtle, poetic film about three Romani brothers and their struggle to move on after the death of their father.…
Cinematographer Sunshine Hsien Yu Niu opted for a handheld approach for her NFTS graduate film, Rock, Paper, Scissors, based on a true story. Rock, Paper, Scissors follows a father and son who run a makeshift hospital on the front line.…
Natdanai “Ham” Naksuwarn relished the challenge of shooting on 35mm celluloid for the first time when tackling postcolonial psychological horror Remains. Remains follows a Windrush migrant who is employed as a servant on an estate – presumably to look after…
Cinematographer Edward Hamilton-Stubber draws on his experiences living in Berlin when crafting the visual language for his NFTS graduate film, Tapeworm. Trapped in a cycle of debt, years as witness and accessory to cold-blooded exploitation have hardened Worm. A final…
Jester, lensed by Bart Bazaz, is a 17th-century period piece imbued with a sense of scale and adventure. Bazaz shares his insight into the filmmaking process, including using some interesting lenses for a nightmare sequence and achieving a fable-like feel…
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) announces the expansion of NFTS Scotland, launching an open call to join an exciting new training programme for 30 emerging Scottish filmmakers from April 2024, through the newly established Sean Connery Talent Lab.…
In a concerted effort to promote a more inclusive and diverse British film and television industry, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) announces the launch of an exceptional new UK writers development programme, in partnership with Left Bank Pictures.…
The BBC and Channel 4 have announced plans for a new, two-week online programme to support the freelance community, delivered in partnership with the National Film and Television School (NFTS). Kicking off in October, the free programme will include masterclasses,…
Agents for change Although there is still some way to go to create a truly inclusive industry, there are many associations, initiatives and schemes making strides towards a more diverse filmmaking community. In part one of this special feature, we…
The National Film and Television School has announced Killing Boris Johnson, a powerful and deeply personal student-made film, has been selected for the prestigious La Cinef at Cannes Film Festival 2023. The film, written and directed by recent NFTS graduate…
Marlow Film Studios held its inaugural education summit in collaboration with the Royal Television Society and the National Film and Television School in early March. This event enabled Buckinghamshire’s leading education providers to meet with internationally acclaimed filmmakers and policymakers…
NFTS cinematographer Genevieve Reyes explores how she crafted her graduate short film, including taking inspiration from the work from Old Masters and the importance of a meticulous pre-production process. In this fictional short film, Hoora, a young girl from Iran,…
An age-defying pill is the focus of Cordelia Lawler’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate film. She shares how she and the team behind the film sought inspiration from ’60s European cinema and leant into a dreamy visual language…
Toby Elwes’ National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate short film is a claustrophobic journey into the depths of the sea. The project involved building ambitious sets, shooting dry for wet, and capturing the drama of both cityscapes and seascapes.…
R.J. Ong had the challenge of balancing an ensemble cast in his National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate short film while still telling a coherent story – not to mention having to shoot on some of the hottest days…
Linda Wu was tasked with bringing a tender tale of care home residents to the screen in her National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate film. Find out how she tackled the challenges of shooting underwater, including a complicated drowning…
Helena González takes us through her rigorous testing process and shares how she and director Simon London were immediately on the same page when it came to crafting the 1960s drama’s mood and atmosphere. Trapped in a 1960s facility evaluating…
A newlywed Indian couple’s early days in the UK in the early 1990s is the focus of Nina Oyens’ National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate film. She reflects on crafting the film’s nostalgic look, including using a period-accurate Hi-8…
Head behind the scenes on cinematographer Tom Simington’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate film, including the joys of shooting on film, the logistical challenge of shooting in Yorkshire, and how the team delved into AI image generation for…
Shooting on tungsten stock, cinematographer Jack Hamilton and the team behind Killing Boris Johnson sought a textural image, grounded in realism. Hamilton takes us behind the scenes on his National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate film, filmed over almost…
The bond between mother and son is seen through Toby Lloyd’s lens in his National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate film. He reveals how the project was influenced by Spaghetti Westerns, the difficulties of shooting in cars on a…
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has been granted full Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs), a significant achievement which acknowledges the exceptionally high standard of training offered by the NFTS as it continues to lead the way in providing skilled…
The National Film and Television School has announced that alumna Annika Summerson has won the 2021 NFTS Sue Gibson BSC Award. The award was voted upon by the alumni of the school and Summerson won for her work on the…
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary year, the NFTS has announced it has been listed as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 15 International Film Schools of 2021 for the 11th successive year. The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list ranks the world’s best film…
The NFTS Graduate Showcase, supported by BBC Studios, celebrates the culmination of over 500 students’ work towards over 80 short films, TV shows, commercials and games. The showcase is an opportunity for members of the screen industries to see firsthand…
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has unveiled an ambitious new partnership with Pinewood Group to train the next generation of UK filmmakers, establishing a dedicated education and training centre within Screen Hub UK, Pinewood’s expansion development which will…
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) Graduation Showcase, supported by BBC Studios is an annual celebration of the past 12 months of graduate productions. Produced and delivered during the pandemic, each and every project premiered is the result of sheer hard work and determination, made amidst challenging circumstances.…
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has announced it has appointed Judith Winnan, former chair of RTS Cymru Wales as Head of NFTS Wales, its latest new national hub. The opening of NFTS Wales, in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and Creative Wales, was announced…
Last week the NFTS announced that Sir Sam Mendes is to be awarded with an honorary fellowship and have now confirmed an upcoming BackStories Masterclass on 7 June in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI). Mendes was selected for…
Recruitment has launched for students to the UK’s second Centre of Screen Excellence which is designed to support the production hub at Elstree, Hertfordshire. ScreenSkills has joined forces with Elstree Screen Arts Academy (ESA), Elstree Film Studios and the National…
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