2018 National Film and Television School Graduation

The 2018 National Film and Television (NFTS) Graduation Ceremony took place at the O2 Arena (Cineworld Super Screen) on Wednesday 28^th February. Preceded by the NFTS Showcase (held at the Picturehouse Central in Soho on 26^th and 27^th), the ceremony celebrated the students' hard work over the past 12 months whilst enabling members of the industry to meet new talent.

Former NFTS Director, Nik Powell, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at this year's ceremony. In his acceptance speech, Nik advised the graduates to always be ambitious and to never stop trying to improve. Academy award and four time BAFTA award winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia also received an Honorary Fellowship, reminding those present to keep trying new things.

Alongside other industry partners Dr Laurence Sargent, Director of Sargent-Disc, presented awards to a number of Production Management students. Jenny Martin, a Sargent-Disc scholar, won the Best Scheduling Award(winning Movie Magic Scheduling software) whilst Alexandra McCardle won the Best Budgeting Award(winning Movie Magic Budgeting software). Emma Clarke won the Best Overall Award and was gifted both Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software.

(Left to right: Dr. Laurence Sargent-Sargent-Disc, Alexandra McCardle, Jenny Martin, Emma Clarke, Emma Hicks-Sargent-Disc)

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Paul Grover

Dr Laurence Sargent, Director said: "The production office is often overlooked when it comes to awards season so we are delighted to be able to recognize the efforts of this year's NFTS Production Managers. Sargent-Disc is proud to support the NFTS with a scholarship for two Production Management students.'     

Sargent-Disc congratulates all of the students on their graduation and prizes.

(NFTS Industry Partners with 2018 Graduate Prizewinners)

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Paul Grover

The NFTS has been in the spotlight recently for being the first film school to receive the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. In addition, NFTS Director Jon Wardle and Former NFTS Director Nik Powell collected the Bafta for Oustanding British Contribution to Cinema- the school is the first educational institute to win the prestigious award.

The NFTS students were also celebrating with Poles Apart, directed by Paloma Baeza and produced by Ser En Low, taking the Bafta for British Short Animation(the fifth consecutive win in this category for NFTS students). Director and writer Rungano Nyoni and Producing MA graduate collected the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer Bafta for I Am Not A Witch. Blade Runner 2049 was awarded the Cinematography Bafta, making it NFTS graduate Roger Deakins' fourth Bafta.