Inaugural Left Bank Pictures - The Crown Scholarship Programme Recipients Start Their Creative Journey At The National Film And Television School

In 2024, Bonhams held a once-in-a-lifetime auction of close to 450 props, furniture, and costumes from the hit historical drama The Crown, written and created by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television. Over 60 National Film and Television School alumni made up the crew of this iconic series, including Composer Martin Phipps, Editor Lucia Zucchetti, Art Director Ian Crossland, VFX Supervisor Dillan Nicholls, Post Production Coordinator Elaine Robertson, and Sound Mixer Nina Rice among many others.
 

The proceeds from this remarkable auction established the Left Bank Pictures – The Crown Scholarship programme, the brainchild of Andy Harries, Chief Executive of Left Bank Pictures and Executive Producer of The Crown. It will enable dozens of students to attend the National Film and Television School over the next 20 years on fully funded scholarships, with additional living expenses covered. This initiative ensures the NFTS can continue nurturing the next generation of film and television talent by removing financial barriers to its world-class education and facilities.

Now, in 2025, the inaugural Crown Scholars have arrived at the NFTS to start their exciting journey into the film and TV industry. Thanks to the support of The Crown Scholarship Programme, Screenwriting MA student Charles Entsie, Producing MA student Eve Grant, and Sound for Television Production student Merville Demoko-Ceccaldi can fully develop their talents, expand their creative networks, and forge successful careers at an award-winning institution - free from financial barriers.
 

The impact of this life-changing scholarship is not lost on the scholars themselves, as Eve reflects on the importance of receiving this funding: “I’m just a few months into the Producing MA course at NFTS and I have never felt so creatively fulfilled or inspired in my life. Knowing that I have funding secured for my two years at the NFTS is such a huge relief and I am incredibly grateful to Left Bank Pictures and The Crown Scholarship for making this possible.”

After getting to know our inaugural Crown Scholars, and seeing in practice the value this scholarship brings to talent across the UK, Andy Harries said: “It's thrilling to meet the first beneficiaries of the fund and I love that their interests are spread across the industry from script writing to sound recording and mixing.”

“They are the future of our industry - the talent of tomorrow.”

Andy Harries

If you are ready to take the next step in your creative career, apply now to any full time MFA or MA course: nfts.co.uk/places-available

If you have been a permanent resident in the UK for the last three years and hold a British passport, you could join the prestigious Crown Scholarship Programme and play a role in shaping the future of the UK’s film and television industry as you begin your transformative journey with the NFTS!

The NFTS awards an unparalleled number of scholarships and bursaries to British students, underscoring its commitment to developing talent within the industry. For more info go to: nfts.co.uk/scholarships