Impact on Film and TV in the UK.

A look at how the National Film and Television School graduates have impacted the film and TV industries; taken from the Grad Impact Report of March 2020.

David Puttnam by NFTSNational Film and Television School

The NFTS Graduate Impact Report was released in 2020 ahead of the School celebrating its milestone 50th Anniversary.  Launched by NFTS President Lord David Puttnam, the report’s findings revealed how NFTS graduates demonstrated the enormous impact they have made to the UK Film and Television industry.

Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema BAFTA & Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education (2020) by NFTSNational Film and Television School

Since first opening its doors in 1971, over 4,000 graduates have passed through the doors of the NFTS. Alumni of the National Film and Television School are some of the UK’s most significant and well-known creative talents. 

The School was awarded both the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema and the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2018.

Director Lewis Arnold on the set of Echo (2012) by Courtesy of Lewis ArnoldNational Film and Television School

Two thirds of all UK high end television spend is on content with at least 1 NFTS graduate in a key role. Lewis Arnold (Pictured) directed both Time and Des for ITV. 

NFTS Graduate Segun Akinola (2021) by NFTSNational Film and Television School

17 alumni worked on Stars Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. Composing MA graduate Segun Akinola (pictured) was hired within 12 months of leaving the NFTS to compose the music for Doctor Who. The BAFTA winning and Oscar nominated For Sama featured the graduate involvement of  Editor Chloe Lambourne and Composer Nainita Desai.

Martin Phipps & Jon Wardle (2020) by NFTSNational Film and Television School

Cinematographer Suzie Lavelle was BAFTA nominated for her work on His Dark Materials and more than a dozen NFTS graduates worked on the Emmy award winning The Crown. Martin Phipps (Pictured) composed the music for The Crown.

Krysty Wilson-Cairns (2) (2021) by NFTSNational Film and Television School

Krysty Wilson-Cairns studied the Screenwriting MA course in 2011 and won a BAFTA for her work on 1917, which she co-wrote with director Sir Sam Mendes. Sex Education was written and created by another Screenwriting graduate, Laurie Nunn.

Shola Amoo, Segun Akinola, Antonia Lowe, Mdhamiri A Nkemi (2019) by NFTSNational Film and Television School

Notably, the NFTS has also become more diverse and inclusive to better represent the UK population and one in four recent graduates are from ethnically diverse backgrounds in contrast to the 3% in the industry overall.

NFTS Grad Impact Report 2020 Page (35) (2020) by NFTSNational Film and Television School

“Our success is totally disproportionate to our small size and I couldn’t be prouder of what the School and its graduates have achieved. Moving forward, we will continue our mission which is to produce the people that power production both in the UK and globally." 
NFTS Director: Jon Wardle 

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