UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Fuels £10 Million Investment In National Film And Television School Expansion As First Supporters Announced

As one of the world’s leading institutions for screen industry training, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) will receive a major boost through the Creative Industries Sector Plan. The Plan, launched today, sits at the heart of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. It sets out significant Government investment across the creative industries to drive economic growth, create thousands of new jobs and support creative talent across the UK.

The government is delivering on a £10 million funding commitment to the NFTS, subject to a full business case, which will help to support the School’s ambitious £21 million expansion of its historic Beaconsfield Studios campus - its home for over 50 years.

Cementing the funding in Parliament, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said: “From Barbie and Killing Eve to Adolescence and Saltburn, the UK already has a stellar track record of producing award-winning films and cutting-edge TV which are enjoyed by millions at home and around the world. But I want us to go further and to cement the UK as the best place on earth to make film and television, as we deliver our Plan for Change. This landmark Sector Plan puts the creative industries at the heart of our economic growth strategy and is key to making that ambition a reality.”

The transformative investment will enhance screen sector skills and strengthen the pipeline of creative talent who will make up the workforce of the future. The government’s backing requires the School to raise an additional £11 million in private investment, which it has committed to securing from leading industry organisations and other visionary partners and donors.

Reaching the full £21 million target will allow the NFTS to expand and modernise its facilities, adding 25,000 sq.ft of cutting-edge teaching and production space. It will also increase student capacity by 25%, and for the first time in the School’s history, provide on-site, accessible student accommodation, ensuring disabled students can live and study on equal terms. If successful, construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with the new facilities opening in January 2027.

With 50% of its fundraising target already achieved, the School is today launching the next phase of its fundraising campaign to secure the final £5.5 million it needs by the end of 2025, as it proudly unveils its first confirmed supporters. 

The first phase of the fundraising campaign launched with strong momentum, backed by generous contributions from a number of donors including Banijay, Buckinghamshire Council, Channel 4, Dana and Albert R. Broccoli Foundation, Gareth Neame Foundation, ITV, John Gore Studios, Peppa Pig co-creator Mark Baker, Sky and Sony Pictures Television all helping to kick-start the School’s vision for this vital expansion.

The funding update comes as the NFTS prepares to publish the results of its five-yearly Graduate Impact Report in the Autumn, which will highlight the School’s critical contributions within film and high-end television between 2020 and 2025 and will reaffirm its vital role in training creatives who will shape the future of the screen sector.

Early headline findings underscore the NFTS’s influence right across the global screen industries:

• Over 70% of the top 20 UK box office hits since 2020 featured an NFTS graduate in a key creative or technical role, a testament to the school's industry-leading impact.
• NFTS alumni are at the forefront of premium production: a staggering 94% of the biggest budget high-end TV projects in the UK have NFTS graduates on their crews.
• Year after year, over 90% of NFTS graduates consistently secure high-level industry roles within months of completing training.

NFTS Director Jon Wardle commented: "We recognise that the creative industries are navigating a challenging and uncertain time, which makes the support from both the government and our early industry donors all the more vital. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment as we launch the final phase of funding to secure our transformative expansion. Our vision to grow reinforces the NFTS’s pivotal role in equipping the next generation of film, television, and games creatives, and it underpins the UK’s ambition to remain a global leader in content creation. By joining this campaign, we hope funders and supporters from across the industry will help us build a lasting legacy with a stronger, more inclusive creative sector, powered by the world-class talent trained at the NFTS."

Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: “The UK TV and Film industry is a major contributor to economic growth and there is a huge opportunity to drive this further as the market for high quality, distinctive, English-language programming continues to expand. We know the most distinctive programme-making comes from the most diverse voices whatever their backgrounds, and the NFTS shares our passion to support wider access to the industry. We look forward to working with these highly-skilled graduates in the near future.”

Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, states: “I’m really pleased that the government has committed to funding the next phase of expansion for NFTS. The NFTS plays a crucial role in preparing the next generation entering the film and television industry. Channel 4 has a longstanding relationship with the institution to foster new talent, and we are delighted to contribute towards the funding of the new building to include accessible accommodation for students at the Beaconsfield Studios campus.”

Barbara Broccoli, EON Productions commented: “I’m thrilled the Government is joining forces with the National Film and Television School as part of its Industrial Strategy. The NFTS is a world-class institution that has trained some of the most talented members of our industry, I’m especially pleased this investment will focus on much needed support for persons with disabilities.”

Gareth Neame, Producer said: “I’m pleased to see the government supporting this vital expansion of the NFTS as part of its full commitment to the Creative Industries, which is a priority area of growth. The impact on future generations of creatives will be huge and this will bring tangible benefits to the cultural and creative sector in the UK.  I am delighted to support the initiative.”

ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said: "The NFTS is crucial for nurturing the diverse creative talent that drives the UK's vibrant TV and film industry, which is a significant contributor to our economy. ITV is proud to be an early supporter of this expansion, continuing our long-standing relationship with the NFTS and ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled professionals from all backgrounds for years to come."

John Gore of John Gore Studios commented: “I am proud to support the NFTS expansion, which will empower talented people who might previously have been unable to access the school’s world-class training, whether for economic or accessibility reasons.  It will give them the chance to develop their craft and bring fresh perspectives to our screens. The more new storytellers we champion from all walks of life, the richer, bolder and more future-proof British creativity becomes - and that speaks directly to John Gore Studios’ mission to showcase the best of British talent on the global stage.”

Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer, Sky added: “Sky is proud to support the National Film and Television School’s expansion plans and growth ambitions, as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. As one of the world’s leading institutions for film, television and games, the NFTS plays a vital role in developing the UK’s creative talent. Our investment underscores our commitment to skills development and sector growth, and we’re excited to see future generations benefit from the school’s outstanding work.”

Wayne Garvie, President International Production, Sony Pictures Television said: “The NFTS is an unparalleled training ground for British creativity and it’s wonderful that the Government both recognises the importance of the film and television sector in its industrial strategy and the role the NFTS plays in developing the next generation of great British creative talent." 

More details of the School’s expansion plans can be found here: nfts.co.uk/our-future