Six Up and Coming Directors Join Prime Video Workshop at NFTS

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) recently welcomed a brand new intake of six directors to its Prime Video Directors Workshop, a 12 month course designed specifically to increase the number of people from under-represented groups working in screen directing.

Directors Abbey Monteiro, Maxine Sibanda, Mitch Kalisa, Claire Molloy, Nez Khammal and Steven Eniraiyetan started their exciting new journeys at the NFTS on Friday 13th May. Tutors Shakil Mohamed and Emily Smith, both former graduates of the NFTS, will lead their intensive training in narrative filmmaking, with each student creating a short film by the end of the course with the help of a range of industry professionals.

Prime Video Directors Workshop forms part of a recently announced three-year flagship collaboration between the NFTS and Prime Video, the first streaming service to join as key partner of the School.

Prime Video Pathway is a first of its kind, multifaceted training initiative designed to open up access to jobs in the TV and film industry across the UK. Committing to spend £10m across three years, the partnership opens up access to the creative industries and will support the entry of new diverse voices into film and television production. Read more here: bit.ly/3FJbly7

Here, new directors Nez, Abbey and Mitch reflect on their first day as Prime Video Directors and the opportunities offered by being selected to take part:

“I’ve always dreamt of going to film school and was recommended this opportunity by a friend. I’m keen to build my narrative muscle and the first day has been great. It’s a cool little group and our tutors Shakil and Emily are awesome. It’s early days but I’m really excited about what they’ve got planned for us.” Nez Khammal

“I've been thinking about going into directing seriously and when this opportunity came up I thought, this is perfect - get funding, support and be taught by the best people in the world for directing. I had to apply. The first day was emotional! The feedback was really good. I got asked a lot of good questions that really made me think about my script and things I didn’t even think about in the story. It was a really good, intense day.” Abbey Monteiro

“The Prime Video Directors Workshop is an incredible chance to work with the NFTS and with Prime Video involved it felt like a really cool place to learn more as a filmmaker. It will increase my skill-set and experience and I’ll get the opportunity to make another short film which is something I'm super excited about. Day one was amazing, we’ve got a really amazing group of people and the NFTS staff are amazing as well. It sounds cliché because I’m saying amazing a lot, but it really was. I’m having a lot of fun!” Mitch Kalisa

The NFTS previously ran a Diverse Directors Workshop in 2017 and 2019, receiving hundreds of applications each year for the six sought after places.

Director John Ogunmuyiwa, took part in the last Diverse Directors Workshop, resulting in his short film Mandem, made during his time on the course, being nominated for a 2020 British Independent Film Award (BIFA).

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We wish our new intake of directors the best of luck and hope they gain all the knowledge and skills needed to take their directing careers to the next level!

To find out more and register your interest for the next intake to the NFTS Prime Video Directors Workshop, visit nfts.co.uk/prime-video-directors-workshop