The annual National Film and Television School (NFTS) Graduation ceremony, sponsored by BBC Studios, took place on Friday 23rd February at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square. The celebration not only recognises and celebrates the successes of the graduating students, but also offers them the chance to forge connections for their future careers with screen industry members.
Emma Wilford, Sales and Marketing Manager at Sargent-Disc, attended the ceremony as a proud sponsor of three NFTS students (two Production Management Diploma students and one Production Accounting student [John Sargent Scholarship]). These serve as a key element of Sargent-Disc’s work to recognise the efforts of the NFTS and its students in achieving excellence.
Sargent-Disc Award winners
Each year at the ceremony, a number of students are chosen by key NFTS industry partners Sargent-Disc, Avid, Christie, IOSH and Panalux to recognise outstanding levels of achievement.
The 2024 Sargent-Disc Awards went to two Production Management Diploma graduates. Helena Hunt and Carl Mason received a Final Draft software licence as well as £500 each.
Helena production managed a large and very diverse set of projects ranging from a Documentary shot in America, to Animation projects and a Children’s TV musical extravaganza. She also took on a demanding Fiction project called Resort, filmed in Spain and which required weeks of budget preparation with the Producer and meetings with crew members.
Carl showed a high level of commitment to production management throughout the course, working on over eight graduation films across a wide range of genres from animation to international documentaries filmed in Australia, California and across the USA, as well as a challenging period fiction film shot on location. Carl stepped up to every challenge with conviction and courage to ensure his teams had the resources and support needed to make the best possible films safely, on budget and on schedule.
Dr. Laurence Sargent commented, “The students graduating from the NFTS today are the future of our industry. Their hard work, skill and creativity are critical to its ongoing success. Sargent-Disc is proud to support this year’s Production Managers with awards in addition to providing an annual scholarship for two Production Management students. We wish them every success as they embark on their careers.”
Photo Credit: National Film and Television School
NFTS Honorary Fellowship
In recognition of the exceptional contribution they have made to the film industry, Production Design legends Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer were awarded the impressive Honorary Fellowship. Not only have the pair been nominated for a total of seven Oscars, most recently for their work on Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, they were also celebrated for their efforts to nurture emerging filmmakers.
Photo Credit: National Film and Television School
For more information about the NFTS, click here.
