Industry Raises Over 300k In Support Of The National Film And Television School
The National Film and Television School's 2023 Gala took place on Tuesday 20th June at London's prestigious Old Billingsgate venue. It was a resounding success, as key figures from the UK’s thriving film, television and games industry came together to celebrate the incredible work of the NFTS.
Sponsored by BBC Studios, the annual Gala serves as the principal fundraising event for scholarships, providing crucial financial support for future film, TV, and games makers. The funds raised on this memorable night will contribute to meeting the challenges of delivering world-leading training for which the NFTS is globally renowned.
600 industry guests from leading film, television and games companies including Sky, Channel 4, Apple TV, Netflix, BBC Studios, Prime Video, Disney+, Banijay UK, Neal Street Productions, All3Media, Framestore and Pinewood Studios attended the Gala. Their generous contributions throughout the evening resulted in an impressive total of over £300,000 raised for the School.
The Gala was chaired by Zai Bennett and Philip Edgar Jones from Sky, who dedicated months of planning to ensure the event's success. They were joined by Gala Committee Members Layla Smith (Objective Media Group), Julian Bellamy (ITV Studios), Patrick Holland (Banijay UK), Wayne Garvie (Sony Pictures), Ralph Lee (BBC Studios), Liam Keelan (The Walt Disney Company), and Fiona Lamptey (Fruit Tree Media).
Over 30 NFTS students were present to assist in running the Gala, providing them with a valuable opportunity to network and connect with industry contacts. Many companies generously offered NFTS students "a seat at the table", opening doors for soon-to-graduate students to build meaningful connections as they prepare to enter the industry.
Comedian Rob Beckett served as compere and quizmaster for the evening, hosting the IMDb Quiz. Over four rounds, each table tested their general knowledge of film, television, and games. Congratulations to the winning team "Impossible Mission Force" for their outstanding performance!
Throughout the evening, guests at the Gala had the thrilling opportunity to participate in a fierce bidding war during an exciting Silent Auction, where a wide range of exclusive prizes were up for grabs.
These remarkable prizes included Daniel Craig's iconic tuxedo from No Time To Die, an invitation to the BAFTA Film nominees party, the chance to be a VIP guest at the live final of Love Island, a lunch for two with actor Dominic West at The Wolseley, attendance at the BFI Film Festival Red Carpet Gala Screening, a private screening of Barbie for the winner and their guests, a framed copy of the Sunday Times Culture cover signed by Brian Cox and Jesse Armstrong, a behind-the-scenes Alan Partridge experience with Steve Coogan, tickets to the iconic launch show of Strictly Come Dancing 2023, a t-shirt worn and signed by Daniel Radcliffe, and a luxury two-night stay for two in Saint-Tropez.
The prizes added to the excitement and success of the evening, raising significant funds in support of the NFTS and its aspiring talents.
The Gala was a night to remember, bringing together industry luminaries, talented students and passionate supporters, all united in their commitment to the NFTS' mission. We’d like to thank everyone who attended, donated, and contributed to the success of this remarkable event. Together, we are making a life-changing impact on emerging talent and shaping the future of the film, TV, and games industry.
Joint Gala Committee Chairs Zai Bennett and Philip Edgar Jones emphasised the school's wide-reaching influence on the industry, commenting: “The influence of the NFTS on our industry reaches far and wide with the School’s impact extending way beyond individual projects, playing a vital role in sustaining the skills pipeline within the film, television and games industries.
As demand for high quality content continues to soar, the NFTS stands as a beacon of excellence, nurturing a continuous flow of talented individuals who possess the skills and creativity necessary to drive our industry forward. By providing world-class training and equipping students with cutting edge knowledge and practical experience, the NFTS ensures that our industry remains at the forefront of innovation and storytelling. Without the NFTS, we would face a scarcity of fresh talent, creative visionaries and diverse voices.”
See more photos from the NFTS Gala 2023 here: bit.ly/43RjF9Z
Funds raised at the annual NFTS Gala changes the lives of many aspiring film, television and games makers by providing opportunities for new and diverse talent.
It’s not too late to contribute to help make the National Film and Television School as accessible to as many as possible. Any donations can be made via our JustGiving page and would be greatly appreciated by both staff and future students of the NFTS.
justgiving.com/film-televisionsch
Apply for a course today and get ready to join us in September 2023 or January 2024 to see how the award-winning work of the NFTS could make an impact on your life! nfts.co.uk/courses