London, 9th June 2016: The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has today announced a major new sponsorship with the UK Cinema Association, the trade body representing the UK cinema operators.
The Association has become an NFTS ‘Key Partner Sponsor’ and will work with the school’s board, tutors and students to support a wide variety of new initiatives to embed exhibition practice within the school including a new Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition MA*.
As part of the partnership, the Association will also award two scholarships to MA students to support them through their two-year courses.
The new MA has been developed in conjunction with the Association, who will help structure course content as well as providing expert speakers. The sponsorship deal between the NFTS and UK Cinema Association will be supported by a nationwide fundraising preview of a major title, details of which will be announced in due course.
Welcoming the announcement of the new agreement, UK Cinema Association Chief Executive Phil Clapp said: “On behalf of UK cinema operators, I am delighted that the Association has become a key sponsor of the National Film and Television School. For over forty years and more, films involving graduates from the NFTS have entertained many millions of UK cinema-goers."
"It is therefore only right that the sector gives something back in recognition. Using nominated film previews to raise support, and training students in the commercial film business is a logical and natural contribution from our sector, and we look forward to working with the NFTS on this basis.”
NFTS director, Nik Powell added: “Developing practical courses with clear career paths and industry links is at the heart of the NFTS’ philosophy so we are delighted to announce this new partnership. It is a brilliant opportunity for NFTS students to learn the skills required to market and distribute films from an industry leader like the Association, whose members represent the vast majority of UK cinema operators.”
For more information on the course and how to apply, please visit https://nfts.co.uk/our-courses/masters/marketing-distribution-sales-exhibition
ENDS
Notes for editors
*NFTS Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition MA: The course is a two-year MA aimed at giving participants all the tools they require to pre-sell, market, distribute, retail and exhibit films, television shows and games in the digital age. It includes two four-week placements as well as the opportunities for participating students to attend one key market in each sector. Applications are open for the course up until October 13th 2016 and the course will commence in January 2017.
Contacts:
Vicky Hewlett, Head of PR, NFTS: vhewlett@nfts.co.uk
Rebecca Davies, Policy Executive, UK Cinema Association: rebecca.davies@cinemauk.org.uk
About the UK Cinema Association
The UK Cinema Association represents the interests of well over 90 per cent of UK cinema operators by number and market share. The Association’s membership includes single screen/owner-managed sites as well as the largest circuit and multiplex operators. The UK Cinema Association advocates on behalf of the UK cinema sector at international, national, regional and local level.
About The National Film and Television School
The NFTS is one of the World's leading film, games and television schools. It has been cited by some media as one of the top five film schools globally and by one as the No.1 international film school. In 1967, the government recommended the creation of a national film school for the UK and in 1971 the National Film School opened its doors for the first time focussing on postgraduate education. In the 1980s, the school officially changed its name to the National Film and Television School to incorporate the demand for courses in television production and has since added games to its remit. The NFTS prides itself on producing world-class, award-wining industry leaders. It has more Student Academy Awards (Foreign Category) than any other film school. NFTS students and graduates also regularly win BAFTAs and have won the short film category for the last three years. Other prestigious accolades include the Grierson Award for Best Student Documentary, which NFTS students have won for the last three years as well as multiple Royal Television Society student awards and Annecy Animation Awards. NFTS graduates have gone on to win seven Oscars and 100 BAFTAs with alumni including cinematographer, Roger Deakins (12 times Oscar nominee); BAFTA winning director, David Yates, (best known for directing the Harry Potter films); Oscar winning animator Nick Park (creator of Wallace & Gromit) and Oscar winning composer Dario Marianelli among others. The NFTS is a registered charity (313429). For more information see www.nfts.co.uk
