NFTS and Pinewood Group Announce Partnership To Train The Next Generation Of Filmmakers In The UK

The National Film and Television School (@NFTSFilmTV), which is celebrating its landmark 50^th anniversary in 2021, has unveiled an ambitious new partnership with Pinewood Group (@PinewoodStudios) to train the next generation of UK filmmakers, establishing a dedicated education and training centre within Screen Hub UK, Pinewood’s expansion development which will also include an international visitor experience and new film production facilities.

The ground-breaking NFTS training facility is the first partnership of its kind globally which will see one of the top film schools in the world and one of the world’s leading film studios come together. This new provision will develop and strengthen skills within the UK screen industry’s workforce, bringing much needed jobs and spending to the local economy.

NFTS training facilities within Screen Hub UK will be multi-functional and include shooting space to enable practical filmmaking to be taught in addition to office and teaching space, seminar rooms and workshops for hands on training sessions.

The NFTS training centre at Pinewood will aim to provide:

• Core Craft Skills training
• Work Experience placements
• Professional Short Courses for those already working in the screen industry to further develop and upskill their expertise
• Training within Virtual Production led by StoryFutures Academy
• In partnership with the BFI Film Academy, courses for 16-19 year olds from across the UK to develop their specialist filmmaking and craft skills
• Local community access to workspaces for Adult Learning

Jon Wardle, NFTS Director commented:

“As we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the School in 2021, the NFTS and Pinewood Group remain at the heart of the creative industries. The scale and ambition of this partnership will level up the talent incoming to the UK screen sector, ensuring global productions will benefit from a highly qualified workforce, trained on site at one of the most exciting and progressive studios in the world.”  

Andrew M. Smith, Corporate Affairs Director, Pinewood Group added:

“Our unique partnership with the NFTS is an exciting step forward in our commitment to providing a dedicated training and education hub and meeting the growing needs of the UK film industry.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“Film and TV production is booming across the country, with government support helping to keep cameras rolling through the pandemic and safeguarding the UK’s reputation as a creative industries powerhouse. I’m delighted to see this new partnership between NFTS and Pinewood, which will train the talent of the future and create even more high quality jobs in the years to come.”

Joy Morrissey, Conservative MP for Beaconsfield commented:

“Pinewood Studios and NFTS are institutions at the backbone of the UK film industry. This partnership, to be based on our doorstep in Buckinghamshire, is hugely positive and progressive in the mission to fill the current skills gap that is opening up within the film industry.”

Buckinghamshire Council is due to make a decision on the Screen Hub UK planning application later in the year.