NFTS 2018 Graduating Students Awarded Industry Prizes

The 2018 National Film and Television School (NFTS) Graduation Showcase - sponsored by AMD Studios - is a celebration of the last 12 months of graduate productions and an opportunity to showcase the resulting work to the industry.

This year the Showcase took place at Picturehouse Central in Soho on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th February. Graduation films, television entertainment shows, projects and games played to full houses of leading industry representatives scouting for the next generation of talent.

Students chosen by key industry partners – AMD Studios, Avid, Christie, IOSH, Panalux and Sargent Disc – receive awards at the graduation ceremony for high levels of achievement in production. This year, the following graduating students were recognised for their work:

AMD Studios

John Rowe, NFTS Head of Digital Effects awarded the AMD ‘Best Use of Technology in Film’ prize to NFTS graduating Digital Effects MA student, Niall Harty. Niall received AMD Radeon Pro WX7100 graphics card to continue his DFX creation.

Rob Jamieson, ISV Manager, AMD said: “This award recognises an NFTS student for their notable work with technology in film. Niall impressed us with his creation of the full CG plates throughout the film Phantom. We are excited to see where his career will take him and we look forward to supporting his future DFX work.”

Christie

Cindy Symons, Christie Partnership Manager, awarded the Christie prize for the ‘Most Promising NFTS Student’ to NFTS graduating Editor, Mdhamiri Nkemi. Mdhamiri received a professional grade Christie DHD555-GS (GS-Series) projector with 5,000 lumens brightness to enjoy super-bright screenings at home.

Richard Cox, NFTS Head of Editing said: “The moment Mdhamiri walked through the NFTS gates it was obvious that here was a student full of enthusiasm and energy and potential. He immediately demonstrated with his editing skills that he was a star in the making. He has always been in demand as an editor at the School, and runs his cutting room with humility and good humour. But apart from working on the huge variety of films at the NFTS he has managed to find the time and energy to work on multiple projects outside of the School, with many of them selected for film festivals around the world. In an industry where the editor is invisible, and the best editing is seamless, Mdhamiri has the skill, passion and commitment to the craft of editing to get it noticed and understood.”

Panalux

Ole Mienert, Marketing/Account Handler at Panalux Lighting Ltd awarded the Panalux Prize for Cinematography – a 5-day lighting hire package - to NFTS graduating Cinematographer Matt Gillan.

The jury commented: “Matt’s cinematography helped build a distinctive look through the use of camera and lighting and created a constant uneasiness and tension in the story. He is a cinematographer that shows great ability and maturity in both technical control and sense of lighting and composition. His cinematography is not overstated but very competently and smoothly operated with great proficiency, ease and overall flow.”

Sargent-Disc

Director Dr Laurence Sargent presented the Sargent-Disc awards to students graduating from the Production Management Diploma. Jenny Martin (winner of Movie Magic Scheduling software) won the ‘Scheduling Award’; Alexandra McArdle (winner of Movie Magic Budgeting software) won the ‘Budgeting Award’ and Emma Clarke won the ‘Best Overall Award’ (winner of both Movie Magic & Scheduling software).  

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"

IOSH

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Award of £1000 for ‘Health and Safety Management in Film Production - Best Safety Plan on a Fiction Shoot’ was presented by Chris Stops from IOSH. This year the prize was awarded to graduating producer, Sabina Smitham and graduating production manager, Emma Clarke for their work on NFTS fiction, Dead Birds.

Simon Malin, NFTS Head of Health and Safety said: “Only one fiction film can win this annual award, but this year, the IOSH panel asked for all the other seven projects to be congratulated on their achievement in safety management. The IOSH selection process gives our students a vital external perspective of in Health and Safety in the workplace. Our thanks to IOSH for so generously continuing to give our training programme this support.”

Avid

The Avid Award for Excellence in Sound Design was presented by Claire Sayers, Field Marketing Specialist for EMEA to Sound Designer Felipe Bolaño Pinedo for his work on Triptych where he used EUCON™ Artist Control and Pro Tools® software.

Simon Sherbourne, Audio Application Specialist, Avid said: “All eight films show an extraordinary level of accomplishment of which the sound designers and NFTS should be proud. The deciding factor with Triptych was the level to which the sound supports the film. The sound gives shape to the story, such as with the pounding on the door followed by a night time flight through the woods; and sets the tone with subtle atmosphere and music. The thoughtful choices contribute hugely to the emotional engagement of the piece. Huge congratulations to Felipe and the other designers for their achievement with these films.”

The Avid Award for Excellence in Editing went to Conor Meechan for his work on Fake News Fairytale and he was awarded with Avid Pro Tools Duet and Media Composer® software.

Richard Cox, NFTS Head of Editing said: “The quality of the editing of the films submitted was exceptional, and the range of films from animation to fiction to documentary was very impressive, giving the editors the opportunity to show case their obvious talents. But we had to choose a winner of the Avid Award for Excellence in Editing and we decided to award the prize to Conor Meechan for his work on Fake News Fairytale. This documentary demonstrates the skills of the editor in using sound and images from different sources and styles, and playing with a variety of editing techniques to construct this highly entertaining and topical film.”

Congratulations to all of the prize-winning students and a big thank you to all our industry supporters!