The British Film Institute (BFI) has selected the NFTS to run a 2-week residential craft skills course as part of its national BFI Film Academy training programme for 16-19-year-olds.
For the second year running, the NFTS has been chosen to deliver an intensive two week residential craft skills course, held during the Easter break in 2014, for 66 young people, featuring master-classes from leading film industry figures and offering students practical experience of using high-tech, industry-standard equipment.
The news was announced at a star-studded celebration event at the Houses of Parliament yesterday (04.09.13), hosted by Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP and BFI CEO Amanda Nevill, attended by Director Tom Hooper (Les Misérables, The King’s Speech), Actor Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), and Managing Director of Classic FM (UK) Darren Henley, at which the BFI Film Academy said it was ‘…delighted to, once again, be working with world renowned and multi award-winning NFTS in 2013/14.’
It follows on from a glittering showcase of films made at the NFTS by last year’s Film Academy graduates at the BFI Southbank in April hosted by BFI Chair, Greg Dyke and NFTS Director Nik Powell, attended by film industry figures including Working Title’s Eric Fellner and Bond actress Naomie Harris.
The search is now on to find 900 talented 16-19 year olds from across the UK and from all backgrounds to take part in this pioneering and exciting programme. The main requirement is that they be passionate about film and want the opportunity to develop the skills and ambition to forge a career in film.
BFI CEO, Amanda Nevill said: “Following an enormously successful inaugural year in 2012, the Academy is now establishing itself as a gold standard training and development programme with a vision for future growth. This wouldn’t be possible without the backing of the Department for Education and we thank them and all our partners for their continuing support as we this year take the Film Academy to more people than ever across the UK.”
Last year’s participants benefitted from masterclasses from leading British talent including directors Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, The World’s End), Ken Loach (The Angels’ Share, The Wind That Shakes The Barley), and Asif Kapadia (Senna), actor Riz Ahmed (Four Lions), and Bond production executive, Anthony Waye, and were taken on insider tours of facilities including Pinewood Studios and the BFI National Archive and received masterclasses, career surgeries and one-to-one mentoring support from industry professionals courtesy of BAFTA.
The BFI Film Academy forms a key part of the BFI’s ambitious plans to revolutionise film education for 5-19 year olds, a core aim of the BFI’s Film Forever five-year plan to support the future success of UK film. Its funding partners include the Department for Education in England, which has provided £3m for the programme, with the National Lottery, Creative Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen this year working with the BFI to take the Academy to every nation of the UK.
Strategic partners include BAFTA, Pinewood Studios and Creative Skillset, helping to ensure the Academy is a gold standard film industry-focused educational programme.
For more information on how to apply for the BFI Film Academy delivered by the NFTS please see:www.nfts.co.uk/bfi-film-academy
Pictured are participants from last year's BFI Film Academy with BFI CEO Amanda Nevill, Director Tom Hooper, actors Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne-Serkis, Aardman Animation's Peter Lord and actor Reece Shearsmith.
For more information about the BFI Film Academy scheme as a whole please click here: www.bfi.org.uk/filmacademy
The BFI is the lead body for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:
• Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema
• Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations
• Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work
• Promoting British film and talent to the world
• Growing the next generation of film makers and audiences
