NFTS and BBC Film Join Forces for Ninth Year to Support and Develop New Filmmaking Talent

Following the success of Bridge to Industry short film Stomach Bug, nominated for a BAFTA for Best Short Film earlier this year, The National Film and Television School (NFTS) and BBC Film are excited to announce allegorical horror So What as the latest project to be made through the scheme. Now in its ninth year, Bridge to Industry supports emerging NFTS filmmaking talent by providing a further opportunity to develop their skills, while building relationships with key industry players, with continuing support from the NFTS.  

Pictured: So What writer Tejas Ewing (Left), producer Ellie Lomas (Centre) and director Danielle Rhoda (right) outside BBC HQ in London

As in previous years, the 2025 scheme received a high standard of submissions, full of diverse film ideas. After a comprehensive shortlisting and interviewing process with representatives from BBC Film and the NFTS, So What was selected as this year’s project.  Reflecting an aspect of the pressure of the housing crisis, necessitating rental flat-shares with strangers, the visceral horror sees a sleep-deprived young woman, tormented by her selfish flatmate, reach her breaking point - only to discover her greatest enemy might actually be herself.

Danielle Rhoda, a Polish/Ghanian filmmaker and graduate of the NFTS Directing Animation MA, who has recently been working as an illustrator and animator visualising stories for The New York Times, CNN, BBC, and The Guardian, will direct the film. It will be written by NFTS Screenwriting MA graduate, Tejas Ewing, who has a background in journalism, climate advocacy and teaching, and produced by NFTS Production Management Diploma graduate Ellie Lomas, whose credits as production manager include the BAFTA nominated Stomach Bug.

The team will work closely on script development through the rest of 2025 and early 2026 with BBC Film development executives, Alice Ojha and Anu Henriques and NFTS Executive Producer, Venetia Hawkes, and will be supported creatively by them as Executive Producers throughout the making of the film. The film, anticipated to shoot in 2026, is being financed by BBC Film, and it is intended the film will be showcased on BBC iPlayer following a festival run.

Danielle, Tejas and Ellie said, “We're thrilled to bring So What to life - a dark yet grounded horror film that transforms the silent agony of shared living into nightmare fuel. We are truly thankful to BBC Film and the NFTS for believing in our vision. To say we're honoured is an understatement. With their invaluable support and creative input, we'll be able to make a deeply unsettling film that will really get under your skin. So What will resonate with anyone who's ever felt trapped, unheard, and desperate in the forced intimacy of a terrible flat-share. We can't wait to make this film!”

BBC Film’s Alice Ojha and Anu Henriques said: “We’re over the moon to be continuing our partnership with the NFTS for the ninth year and to be supporting the wonderful team Danielle, Tejas and Ellie in bringing their unsettling body horror film about a sleep-deprived young woman being pushed to breaking point to life.” 

Jon Wardle, Director of the NFTS added: “We are thrilled to continue our creative partnership with BBC Film for the ninth year and wish the So What filmmaking team the best of luck for the exciting journey ahead!”

2024’s BBC Film/NFTS Bridge to Industry, BLAND, written and directed by Hugh Clegg and produced by Joanna Vymeris, is currently in pre-production, anticipated to shoot later this summer. The previous BBC Film/NFTS Bridge to Industry, THE DEPARTMENT OF THEY, directed by Lisa Kenny, written by Jack Maraghy and produced by Martina Buendia Silva, is in post-production and stars Maxine Peake and Zawe Ashton.  

Bridge to Industry films are made by teams of NFTS graduates across the key HoD roles, providing opportunities to support career development for NFTS filmmaking talent from the whole spectrum of NFTS courses.

As well as the BAFTA nomination for STOMACH BUG, written and directed by Matty Crawford and produced by Karima Sammout-Kanellopoulou, films made over the years through the NFTS/BBC Film Bridge to Industry have received film festival and awards recognition across the world. SHÉ (SNAKE), written and directed by NFTS Animation MA graduate Renee Zhan and produced by NFTS Producing MA graduate Jesse Romain, was selected for Sundance Film Festival and SXSW and was awarded the IMDbPro Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award at Toronto International Film Festival. ORIGINAL SKIN, directed by Screen International Star of Tomorrow and NFTS Editing MA graduate, Mdhamiri A Nkemi garnered the Young Director Award at Cannes Lions 2023, was selected for Tribeca Festival 2024 and won Tampere Film Festival’s Best Genre Film award. Both films are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Other notable films from the Bridge to Industry scheme include THE PASSENGER, starring Conrad Khan and THE BIND, starring Lorraine Ashbourne, directed by BAFTA winner Caroline Bartleet (OPERATOR) and produced by the award-winning Hélène Sifre (BLUE JEAN) and Marie-Elena Dyche (HOW TO HAVE SEX).

The success of these graduates exemplifies how the Bridge to Industry initiative serves as a comprehensive pathway for NFTS students and graduates as they transition into the industry. Find out more about this initiative here: nfts.co.uk/life-nfts

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