Record Number Of NFTS Student Made Films Named Student Academy Award Finalists

Last week The Academy announced the finalists for the Student Academy Awards and five National Film and Television School (NFTS) student-made films have been selected across fiction, animation and documentary categories!

This is not only the highest number of nominations for any school worldwide, but also a record for the NFTS in a single year. Trouble, Dragfox, Burnt Country, Mail Order Queens and The Undertakers are amongst a standout programme of 28 productions that will be screened in Beverly Hills this October.

Director of the NFTS Jon Wardle said: “Seeing our students' work recognised at the prestigious Student Academy Awards is always a source of immense pride. This year, with a record number of five films making it to the finals, it's truly the cherry on top for the School. It’s a testament to the exceptional talent and hard work of our students, as well as the world-class training they receive at the NFTS."

Last year at the 50th anniversary of the awards, the National Film and Television School celebrated a win for graduate animation Mum’s Spaghetti in the animation category. Read the full story here: nfts.co.uk/article/nfts-animation-mums-spaghetti-enjoys-rap-turous-reception-win-2023-student-academy-awards

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR 2024 FINALISTS

Trouble

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Synopsis
Trouble explores the intricate dynamics between two brothers in their early twenties, as they attempt to navigate their divorced parents’ shortcomings when Mum shows up uninvited to Dad’s birthday.

NFTS Crew
Director/Co-Writer - Sarah Blok
Producer - Arpita Ashok
Cinematographer - Owen Cant
1st AC - Davide Azzalini
2nd AC - Eden Bokrezion
Production Designer - Melissa Davis
Production Manager - Athena Vlachos
Production Coordinator - Teodora Petre
Assistant Directors - Yaz Evans, Ashley Gadsby, Tobias Gregory
Production Sound Mixer - Luke Predeth
1st Assistant Sound - India Holdstock
2nd Assistant Sound - George Philip Blake
Editor - Ben Sales
Sound Designer/Dubbing Mixer - Alex Faingold
Colourist/Online Editor - Emmanuel Benjamin
 

Dragfox

 

Synopsis
Sam's search of identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox. Together, they embark on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate the ways in which they differ.

NFTS Crew
Director/Animator - Lisa Ott
Producer - Owen Thomas
Screenwriter - John Cooney
Story by -  John Cooney, Amy Tattersall White, Lisa Ott, Owen Thomas
Cinematographer - Rufai Ajala (Roo)
Production Designer - Lia Chiarin
Production Manager - Olivia Song
Coordinating Model Makers - Leah Brown, Aurelia Chilvers
Puppets and Props - Katie Booth, Anika Chowdhury, Fran Dare, Lara Hosking, Darcie Kearns, Oonagh McDonald, Rob Mackie, Hannah Miller, Sam Mortimer, Felix Surplus
Sound Recordist - Emily Compton
Editor - Mariana Moraes
Sound Designer/Dubbing Mixer - Em Edwards
Composer - Charli Mackie
VFX Conformist - Shaunak Ranade
VFX - Melwin George Mathew
Colourist/Online Editor - Fox Bamber Barron
 

Burnt Country

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Synopsis
In the summer of 2019/20, catastrophic wildfires wiped out more than a billion Australian animals, and pushed 500 species to the brink of extinction. 65,000 years in the making, Burnt Country is about fighting fire, with fire; it invites audiences to connect to country and community for the future of all Australians.

NFTS Crew
Director/Producer/Camera/Sound - Kirsten Slemint
Production Manager - Anna Siow
Editor - Piotr Zuchniewicz
Sound Designer/Dubbing Mixer - Em Edwards
Composer - Umberto Gaudino
Additional Music - Talia Morey
Colourist/Online Editor - Karolina Matela
 

Mail Order Queens

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Synopsis
Beekeeping is broken. The extraordinary tale of why and what might be done to fix it began a century ago with a tragic bee epidemic, a Benedictine monk and a lifetime’s obsession that changed our relationship with the honey bee, forever.

NFTS Crew
Director/Producer/Camera - Luke Purdye
Sound Recordists - Emily Compton, Lawrence Gartshore, Roscoe Gibson-Denney, Luke Purdye
Production Manager - Olivia Song
Editor - Tanya Singh
Sound Designer - Lucas Lehmann
Composers - Niklas Sandahl, Charli Mackie
Colourist/Online Editor - Ivan Michael
 

The Undertakers

Synopsis
African Vultures are in trouble, but saving them from extinction is a huge challenge. Vultures have an image problem: they are often seen as harbingers of death – as ugly creatures plying an ugly trade. But luckily for them, Kerri Wolter is on their side. Her lifelong mission is to save them and the precious African ecosystem that relies on their grizzly work.

NFTS Crew
Director/Producer - Zac Lazarou
Cameras - Zac Lazarou, Sinéad Reynolds
Production Manager - Beatrix Gerencser
Editor - Maria Elena Capra
Sound Designer/Dubbing Mixer - Alex Faingold
Composer - Aleksandra Vilcinska
Colourist/Online Editor - Fox Bamber Barron
 

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The NFTS is incredibly proud of the graduates behind these incredible productions. Being recognised at such a prestigious organisation is testament to their passion, dedication and talent.

To see the full list of 2024 finalists visit: oscars.org/news/meet-2024-student-academy-awards-finalists