Three Young Directors From NFTS Shortlisted for YDA

The shortlist for the Young Directors Awards has been announced and The National Film and Television School is proud that out of 167 entries from over 25 countries, three graduates have made the list!

yda 2023 shortlist

In the Film School (10 minutes and over) category is Nick Alexander and Villo Krisztics who both graduated from the School earlier this year with outstanding graduation films Bandits, produced by Emma Grazette and Eterna, produced by Tidza Karup.

These brilliantly crafted productions were made by skilled teams of NFTS students across sound design, composing, cinematography, visual effects and production management, during their final year of training at the School.

Caught in the cycle of temporary housing amidst the UK’s living crisis, Bandits follows a young single mother who resorts to extreme lengths to try and change the course of her son’s future.

still from bandits showing woman and boy laughing in car

Not everyone is handed ETERNA, the coveted pill for eternal life. Young photographer, Elle, is desperate to prove she is worthy. She does whatever she has to for the pill, only  to discover that eternity might not be what her heart desires.

eterna still showing close up of mouth holding pill between teeth

Shortlisted in both the Short Film (10 minutes and over) and the Creative Use of Sound categories is graduate Mdhamiri A Nkemi’s film original skin. The film was made as part of the National Film and Television School Bridge To industry scheme which gives students and graduates further opportunities to collaborate with the School and industry partners to create short films.

Made with the support of BBC Film and produced by graduate Sabina Smitham, original skin is set in an alternate world where having sex means swapping bodies with the other person, a young woman struggles to be herself, defying her small conservative community where swapping is taboo. A deeply intimate portrait of identity in transition.

still from original skin showing two women's faces overlaid

The NFTS is so proud to see these directors get the recognition they deserve!

Gold and Silver Screen winners will be announced at the Winners Screening in Cannes on Thursday 22 June.

See the full shortlist here: youngdirectoraward.com/2023-shortlist

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