From cinematography and composing to directing, editing and sound, talent developed at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) can be found throughout the 2026 BFI London Film Festival.
Across this year’s exciting 12-day programme, LFF will present 251 features, shorts, series and immersive works from 88 countries. An impressive number of NFTS graduates have contributed to films screening in some of the festival’s most prestigious strands, including four Galas and nine titles in the First Features Competition, while the shorts programme features both student-made and alumni-led work.
The roll call spans established, internationally recognised alumni including director Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, alongside a new generation of filmmakers making their mark, with NFTS talent represented across virtually every stage of the filmmaking process.
Among the major films receiving the red-carpet treatment at this year’s Festival is Fatherland, produced by NFTS graduate Lorenzo Gangarossa, while cinematographer Natasha Braier brings her distinctive visual style to Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters.
Oscar-winning NFTS graduate Dario Marianelli has composed the score for the highly anticipated stop-motion Wildwood from LAIKA Studios, while Simon Chase serves as Dialogue Editor on Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy, Wild Horse Nine which is already garnering early Oscars buzz.
The NFTS is also strongly represented in the First Feature Competition. Animol includes NFTS graduates Herbert Butler as Digital Intermediate Supervisor and Steven Eniraiyetan as First Assistant Director.
A particularly impressive concentration of NFTS talent can be found on the Lagos set Lady, with graduate Alana Mejia Gonzalez serving as Director of Photography and Ines Adriana as Sound Designer. Behind the scenes, fellow alumni Jonathan Fransman, Kamila Serkebaeva, Max Park, Phoebe Sutherland and Victoria Thomas have also contributed across legal and business affairs, executive production, production and development, and producing roles.
Several recently completed NFTS made films will premiere in this year’s programme including Dance of the Spirits, Eyeliner and I Was Kidnapped.
Jon Wardle, NFTS Director said: “The BFI London Film Festival is one of the great showcases for filmmaking talent from the UK and around the world, and it is always a source of enormous pride to see the contribution of NFTS talent reflected so strongly across its programme. What stands out again this year is not only the number of our graduates involved, but the incredible range of roles they occupy. From directors, producers and cinematographers to composers, editors, sound teams, designers and the many specialists whose expertise brings a production to life, NFTS graduates can be found at every stage. It is particularly exciting to see films made at the School sitting alongside work from established alumni who are now leading their fields internationally. Congratulations to everyone represented at this year's Festival.”
Congratulations to all the NFTS graduates, students and tutors whose work is being celebrated at this year's Festival!
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The BFI London Film Festival will run from 7th to 18th October 2026. To explore the festival programme and find out more, click here.
