NFTS For You Event Welcomes Aspiring Black and Asian Screen Talent To Explore Careers In Film, TV, And Games
On Saturday 3rd October, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) hosted another successful NFTS For You event, packed with screenings, panels, tours and activities designed for creatives from Black and Asian backgrounds to explore future career opportunities across film, television and games.
It is essential to the integrity of the creative process to ensure people from every background are represented across all departments. As a key talent pipeline to the industry, the NFTS strives to enable those from under-represented backgrounds to access opportunities that can help them build successful careers.
NFTS For You is delivered by Access NFTS, a dedicated outreach programme supported by Netflix, that aims to encourage and support young people who want to pursue a career in our industry.
The day kicked off with a welcome talk from the Director of Marketing and External Relations, Ijeoma Akigwe, who emphasised:
“We want to ensure that the film, television and games industries reflect the full diversity of our country and that those from ethnically diverse backgrounds are seen, heard and represented across all areas of the industry in which they work and shape.”
Following the welcome talk was a panel hosted by screenwriting graduate Tracey Murray, who, since graduating, has gone on to work for the likes of the BBC and Netflix. The panel was made up of current students across a range of specialisms, from Editing, Cinematography, Screenwriting, Animation to Documentary. Attendees were able to find out first-hand what it's like to study at the School, get their questions answered, and hear personal insights into the application process and student culture.
Participants then got the chance to tour the School’s award-winning facilities, from our state-of-the-art 4K TV Studio to our dubbing theatres, edit suites and historic Main Stage, led by NFTS Student Ambassadors. NFTS staff across a range of departments were also on hand to give advice and signpost to funding opportunities, clarify application processes and highlight how the School can support students during and after their time with us.
After lunch, there were several lively panels and an exclusive screening of 2025 graduation film Weekend One, followed by a Q and A with graduate director Mykea Fairweather Perry.
Hosted by Ijeoma, our alumni panel featured NFTS graduates working across multiple industries. Production managers Diana Duah and Lena Boateng, colourist Nigel Tadyanehondo, animator and director Aisha Boudjillouli, composer Segun Akinola and screenwriter Tracey Murray shared memories from their time at the School and invaluable advice on navigating the industry post-graduation.
We were fortunate to be joined by an incredible Industry Panel who helped to paint a clear picture of the inner workings of the film, TV and games industries, as well as to offer guidance on getting your foot in the door and forging a successful career. A huge thank you to ITV’s Ade Rawcliffe, Anthony Andrews from We are Parable, Funmbi Ogunbanwo from Fatherland and BBC Film’s Anu Henriques for sharing their perspectives and advice.
Throughout the day, the School aimed to encourage attendees to actively engage in conversations about the barriers faced by those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, while also highlighting the support available to help them take this exciting step into the industry. By platforming students, graduates, and industry professionals, we hope to emphasise the positive experiences and opportunities available to those who wish to establish a successful career. The NFTS is committed to increasing diversity in our student body and eliminating barriers to entry into the creative industries.
On the NFTS’s mission, Director Jon Wardle said: “We are making progress. Our most recent Graduate Impact Report showed that over a third of our graduates come from diverse backgrounds, more than double the wider industry rate. But we know there is much more to do. We are committed to widening access to our training and reaching talented people who may not previously have considered the NFTS. That means providing around £2million annually in scholarships and bursaries, with over 80% of British students receiving financial support.”
A massive thank you to the students, alumni and industry members who made NFTS For You such a successful event, and we are extremely grateful to the attendees who took the time to attend.
Couldn’t make it? Access NFTS holds events throughout the year aimed at under-represented groups. To keep up to date with future Access NFTS initiatives, keep an eye on our social channels and bookmark nfts.co.uk/access
For more info on our Access NFTS programme, please email our Head of Outreach, Joe Bradbury-Walters: JBradbury-Walters@nfts.co.uk