The National Film And Television School Establishes New Scholarship In Memory Of Influential And Much-Loved Entertainment Publicist, Lesley Land

The newly established scholarship will provide funding to support the next generation of NFTS students keen to excel within the entertainment industry.

The National Film and Television School is pleased to announce it has established The Lesley Land Scholarship, which will support an annual scholarship to study the School’s renowned Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition MA. The scholarship will be funded by Lesley’s parents, Anita and Brook Land.

Lesley Land was a highly regarded entertainment publicist who spent much of her career working in entertainment and broadcasting at Channel 4, Sky, The Outside Organisation, Taylor Herring and Planet Hollywood, where she delivered memorable PR campaigns for some of the UK’s most high profile and ground-breaking television programmes. Lesley was a passionate advocate of the film and television industry and was known for her flair, creativity and wit. She passed away unexpectedly in December 2022, leaving a lasting legacy on the industry, her family and all those who knew her.

The NFTS has worked closely with Lesley’s family and Channel 4 to honour her memory and support and inspire the next generation of talent to join the industry she loved passionately. The Lesley Land Scholarship will enable talented individuals to follow in her footsteps and make their own unique mark in the world of film and television. The scholarship will support tuition fees for the Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition (MDSE) MA which delivers specialist modules on press and publicity within the entertainment landscape over the course of two years.

During last night’s broadcast of the BAFTA Television Awards, Lesley was featured within their moving ‘in memoriam’ segment, paying tribute to her exceptional contribution to the entertainment industry.

Applications for The Lesley Land Scholarship are now open, with the first scholarship being awarded to a student starting the course’s next intake in January 2024. Former alumni of the MA have gone on to work in a range of roles within the industry at companies such as the BFI, Film4, and Warner Bros. Discovery. 

Jon Wardle, Director of the National Film and Television School commented: “It is an honour to establish The Lesley Land Scholarship, a fitting tribute to Lesley’s passion and commitment to the industry. We are proud to commemorate her legacy by supporting the next generation of talent to follow in her footsteps and thank her family for trusting us with something so meaningful. We look forward to welcoming the first Lesley Land scholar to our Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition MA in January 2024 and supporting them on their journey to excel in the world of film and television.”

Anita and Brook Land said: “We are delighted to endow this scholarship in our darling Lesley’s memory. The NFTS is a fantastic establishment and is the perfect place to honour what she achieved in her all too short life.”

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive Officer at Channel 4 added: “Lesley was much-loved member of the Channel 4 family and is sorely missed by her many, many friends and colleagues both here and throughout the industry. The Lesley Land Scholarship is a wonderfully fitting tribute to a warm, kind and brilliantly talented young woman who had more impact on people’s lives than she could have ever realised.”

More information on the NFTS Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition MA can be found here: nfts.co.uk/marketing-distribution-sales-and-exhibition