NFTS Gala 2026 Raises Record-Breaking Total to Support Future Creative Talent
Hosted by comedian Michael McIntyre, the National Film and Television School’s annual Fundraising Gala raised a record breaking £641,000 on Monday 15th June, making it the most successful Gala in the School’s history.
Held at Old Billingsgate in London and supported by Rolex, the evening brought together more than 650 leaders from across the film, television and games industries, united by a shared commitment to supporting future creative talent through scholarships and bursaries at the NFTS. Guests enjoyed live performances from the electric Bastille and band frontman Dan Smith, whose commitment to emerging artists and collaborative storytelling reflects the values at the heart of the NFTS ethos.
The Gala was chaired by Lee Jury, Senior Vice President, Walt Disney Studios, EMEA and UK who said: “At Walt Disney Studios, we believe that great storytelling has the power to move the world - and that the stories of tomorrow depend on the talent we nurture today. That belief is why our partnership with the NFTS sits so close to our hearts. The filmmakers, storytellers and creative visionaries of tomorrow are out there right now and it is our collective responsibility to give them every opportunity to flourish.”
A key focus of the evening went towards raising funds for the NFTS Humanitarian Scholarship, which supports talented individuals forced to flee conflict and persecution, enabling them to continue their creative education and rebuild their futures through storytelling. The appeal was introduced by Chair of the Gala Committee, Disney’s Lee Jury and brought to life through a powerful VT featuring Hosea Ntaborwa, a past recipient of the scholarship, who joined guests in the room. His story highlighted the transformative impact that access to education and opportunity can have on talented creatives rebuilding their lives. Michael McIntyre led a live fundraising appeal with pledges on the night generating £117,000 for The Humanitarian Scholarship, surpassing the original target of £100,000.
Reflecting on his experience, Hosea, who is now a successful Sound Recordist and Boom Operator working on globally acclaimed titled including Spider-Man, Mission: Impossible, I May Destroy You and The White Lotus said: “The NFTS Humanitarian Scholarship made a dream become a reality. It’s really hard for someone of my background to get into the industry, and it was a leap of faith to apply. Being around people with the same creative minds was unbelievable. Shoot for the stars!”
Please click here to learn more about the impact of the NFTS Humanitarian Scholarship. The School works hard to deliver scholarship funding all year round – discover the wide-reaching impact these scholarships have had on our most recent graduates here.
"Removing financial barriers is not just vital; it is essential to keeping the pipeline of skilled, diverse talent open and flowing."
The evening also featured the much-loved IMDb Quiz, hosted with trademark wit by Michael McIntyre, alongside a Silent Auction offering a range of exclusive film, television, sporting and cultural prizes and experiences.
Celebrations then continued late into the evening with the first ever official NFTS Gala After Party, generously hosted by 180 House in association with Variety, with all proceeds from ticket sales contributing to the fundraising total.
Representatives from many of the world’s leading media, entertainment and technology companies attended the Gala, including Amazon Studios, Apple TV, Banijay UK, BBC Studios, EON Productions, Google, Hartswood Films, ITV Studios, John Gore Studios, Lucasfilm, Netflix, PACT, Sean Connery Foundation, Sony Pictures Television, The Walt Disney Company and many more, alongside filmmakers, producers, creatives and long-standing supporters of the School.
Reflecting on the success of the evening, NFTS Director Jon Wardle said: “To see our industry come together so generously, year after year, in support of future talent is incredibly moving. Every pound raised will help ensure that financial circumstances, or the circumstances people find themselves forced into, are never a barrier to creativity, ambition or potential. Ensuring access to opportunity has become more important than ever. Removing financial barriers is not just vital; it is essential to keeping the pipeline of skilled, diverse talent open and flowing.”
Special thanks go to this year’s Gala Committee led by Disney’s Lee Jury, whose dedication, expertise and enthusiasm helped make the event such a success: Edith Bowman (Radio and Television Presenter) Stephen Burdge (Managing Director, Empire Design) Dan Grabiner (CEO, Orchard Studios) Marc Robinson (President of Globe and Globe Originals) Hilary Strong (CEO, John Gore Studios) and Katie Goodson-Thomas (Director of Production and Acquisitions, Fox Searchlight Pictures.)
Funds raised through the Gala will directly support scholarships and bursaries, helping talented students from all background access world-class training and ensuring the future of the screen industries remains diverse, innovative and creatively ambitious.
A gallery of images from the NFTS Gala 2026 can be viewed here.