Keystone logo
© BIMM University
National Film and Television School

National Film and Television School

National Film and Television School

Introduction

History

The National Film School (as it was first named) opened in 1971, the culmination of a major effort by the Industry and government to create an institution to educate and train talent for the British Film Industry.

In 1970, Colin Young, a Scot then chairing the University of California's Department of Theater Arts, co-founded the NFTS and was appointed as the School's first director. With a loan from Rank, the NFS bought the old Beaconsfield Film Studios in Buckinghamshire - which had been home to organisations as diverse as British Lion Film Corporation, The Crown Film Unit and the North Thames Gas Board - and set about refitting it to professional industry standards. Young established four permanent departments - production, camera, editing and sound - and in 1971 the first intake of 25 students passed through the studio gates. Directors Mike Radford (The Merchant of Venice, Il Postino), Bill Forsyth (Local Hero) and Ben Lewin (Ally McBeal), pioneering documentarist Nick Broomfield (Aileen: Portrait of a Serial Killer), and visual effects specialist Dennis Lowe (Cold Mountain, The English Patient) were among their number.

Production Facilities

The NFTS is the only UK film school with its own industry standard film studio, 4k Television and rehearsal studios. With a recent £20 million investment in the School, we offer cutting-edge dedicated workspaces for all courses, making our student experience unparalleled at any other UK creative institution.

NFTS students are given 24/7 access, 364 days a year to the largest production facilities at any UK film school. Not only do these include our studios, but also our sound and dubbing theatres, over 50 top of the range cameras, the latest editing software in dedicated suites, our Dolby Digital Surround Cinemas, and more. These unique facilities enable our students to create BAFTA, Royal Television Society, CILECT award winning and Oscar-nominated productions.

Curriculum

There is no other film school in the world that offers so many individual specialist practical filmmaking courses. 18 Masters, 14 Diplomas, 4 Certificates and a wide range of short courses.

NFTS Courses are based on learning and applying the crafts and skills of the medium. Students are encouraged to develop a solid understanding of how their specialist role fits into the overall process of project development, production and programme-making. All practical learning is carefully integrated with seminars and other activities that place film, television and games in a historical, cultural and business context.

Alumni Network

Just because you've graduated, doesn't mean it's over!

The NFTS has a very active Alumni Network, with many graduates staying in touch and working together long after they have left the School. There are also an increasing number of recent graduates working on projects with graduates from many years back.

As part of the Alumni Network, you will receive regular emails containing information about jobs, Bridges to Industry projects and news from the school. We also have our Annual NFTS Alumni Party that takes place in Central London every January – be sure to keep an eye out for your invitation!

Don’t forget to keep us up to date with contact details and let us know about any credits or festivals you are involved with!

To contact our NFTS Alumni team, please email [email protected]

To help you stay connected, reunite with old classmates or meet graduates from other years why not join us online on Facebook and Linked In.

Partners

The NFTS is indebted to the many organisations, companies and individuals who support our work, many of whom have supported the School for the majority of its existence.

PLATINUM PARTNER SPONSOR

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 4 IS A PUBLICLY-OWNED, COMMERCIALLY-FUNDED PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTER WITH A REMIT TO BE INNOVATIVE, EXPERIMENTAL AND DISTINCTIVE.

KEY PARTNER FUNDERS

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

DCMS WORKS TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNICATIONS, CREATIVE, MEDIA, CULTURAL, TOURISM, SPORT AND LEISURE ECONOMIES HAVE THE FRAMEWORK TO GROW AND HAVE REAL IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S LIVES.

HEFCE

PROMOTES AND FUNDS TEACHING AND RESEARCH IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

CREATIVE SKILLSET FILM SKILLS FUND

THE SKILLSET FILM SKILLS FUND IS SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL LOTTERY THROUGH THE BFI AND THE FILM INDUSTRY THROUGH THE SKILLS INVESTMENT FUND

KEY PARTNER SPONSORS

SKY

SKY IS THE LARGEST PAY-TV BROADCASTER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND WITH OVER 11 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS.

BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (BBC) IS THE LARGEST BROADCASTER IN THE WORLD, WITH MORE THAN 23,000 STAFF.

ITV

ITV IS THE BIGGEST COMMERCIAL TELEVISION NETWORK IN THE UK

FILM DISTRIBUTORS' ASSOCIATION

FILM DISTRIBUTORS' ASSOCIATION LTD. (FDA) IS THE TRADE BODY FOR THEATRICAL FILM DISTRIBUTORS IN THE UK - THE COMPANIES THAT RELEASE FILMS FOR UK CINEMA AUDIENCES.

UK CINEMA ASSOCIATION

THE UK CINEMA ASSOCIATION IS THE TRADE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF UK CINEMA OPERATORS.

KEY PARTNER ACCREDITATIONS

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

OUR MA COURSE IS VALIDATED BY THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

CREATIVE SKILLSET FILM ACADEMY

WE ARE A CREATIVE SKILLSET FILM ACADEMY IDENTIFIED BY THE UK FILM INDUSTRY AS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN FILM EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE LIAISON DES ECOLES DE CINÉMA ET DE TÉLÉVISION - CILECT

WE ARE A MEMBER OF CILECT THE ASSOCIATION OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOLS. ITS GOALS ARE TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AMONG MEMBER SCHOOLS

GROUPEMENT EUROPEEN DES ECOLES DE CINEMA ET DE TELEVISION - GEECT

WE ARE A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN GROUPING OF FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOLS

QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY

THE NFTS ACHIEVED A "COMMENDED" JUDGEMENT FOR THE QUALITY OF STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (QAA). SEE REPORT.

Bridges to Industry

The NFTS works with a range of partners in the Industry to provide opportunities for NFTS students and graduates.

The NFTS Bridge to Industry Schemes are designed to help NFTS students and graduates into the Industry - providing opportunities to create shorts, films and promos with our Industry Partner sponsors, whilst continuing to be supported by the NFTS.

Locations

  • Beaconsfield

    Beaconsfield Studios, 141 Station Rd, , Beaconsfield

Questions