NFTS Partners With Sidemen Entertainment To Train The Next Generation Of Unscripted Producers

The UK’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) has partnered with Sidemen Entertainment to launch a new industry programme to prepare the next generation of producers for the rapidly converging worlds of television, streaming and creator-led entertainment.

The NFTS x Sidemen Entertainment Unscripted Formats Programme will give every student on the NFTS’ one year Developing and Producing Unscripted Formats MA first-hand experience of one of the UK’s most innovative and influential creator-led entertainment companies.

Through a dedicated industry day and a one-week work experience placement, every student will gain insight into digital formats and professional production. They will explore how ideas are developed, commissioned and delivered across different platforms, as well as the creative, editorial and production decisions behind content that reaches millions of viewers worldwide.

With over 100 million subscribers across their platforms and more than six billion global views, The Sidemen – Simon, Josh, Tobi, Ethan, Vik and Harry, have grown from YouTube creators into one of the world’s largest creator-led entertainment brands.

From original formats on YouTube to Netflix productions and landmark live events, Sidemen Entertainment has developed a distinctive approach to creating content, building and entertaining audiences while turning ideas into global cultural moments. Earlier this year the team launched Sidemen Productions, marking their expansion into premium digital content with the development and production of creator-led formats for global audiences. The launch follows the success of their Netflix unscripted series Inside, with the third season released earlier this year landing at Number 1 in over 10 countries.  

This latest partnership reflects the NFTS’ continued expansion into emerging areas of the entertainment industry, strengthening its links with creator-led and digital first production, alongside its longstanding relationships across film, television, gaming and streaming. 

Jon Wardle, Director of the National Film and Television School, said: “Some of the most exciting innovation in entertainment is happening where television, streaming and creator-led content meet. The Sidemen have been at the forefront of that change, building an enormous global following while continually evolving the scale and ambition of their content. Our role at the NFTS is to ensure students are prepared for where the industry is heading next and this incredibly exciting new partnership will give emerging producers a unique opportunity to learn directly from a team that understands how to turn distinctive ideas into entertainment that connects with global audiences.”

Victor Bengtsson, CEO of Sidemen Entertainment, added: "We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the NFTS to help give the next generation of producers a genuine insight into what the future of the entertainment industry looks like. This is what the Sidemen are all about - ordinary people who found a passion and turned it into a career and that's what we want to help people do. We’ve learned so much by building The Sidemen from the ground up, and we’re passionate about sharing that experience with the next generation who want to be in this industry. This programme is a great opportunity to open the doors to Sidemen Entertainment, from how we develop ideas and build formats to how we create content that connects with audiences on a huge scale. We can’t wait to meet the next generation of producers and hopefully help inspire some of the ideas and talent that will shape the industry in years to come."

Students joining the NFTS Developing and Producing Unscripted Formats MA from January 2027 will be the first to benefit from the from the NFTS x Sidemen Entertainment Unscripted Formats Programme partnership, with every participant of the one-year course eligible to take part. 
Applications are currently open. Find out more here.