The new term has gotten off to a busy start, as well as getting stuck straight into the new year we’ve also hosted the first of this term’s masterclasses. Production Design Helen Scott joined us to lead our Masterclass and talk through her career in British film and TV across productions including Small Axe, A Very English Scandal, and Fish Tank. We have also been lucky enough to be joined by Kahleen Crawford, Casting Director.

September marks the new academic year and a fresh start for our new and continuing students. We were delighted to host welcome drinks with students and staff this month, meeting lots of new faces and see student work start to take shape.

Over the last month we’ve also seen festival successes with former Filmmaking student Robin Moran taking Autobiography (Dir: Makbul Mubarak, DoP: Wojciech Staron), the film he co-produced to Venice Film Festival and London Film Festival, picking up the Fipresci Prize in the process.

The annual BFI London Film Festival has returned and this year it will be taking place across 10 venues nationwide offering simultaneous screenings to widen the reach, as well as a virtual festival on the BFI player. We’re hugely proud at the level of alumni involvement in the festival each year with 2022 proving to be another fantastic showcase of achievement.

London Film School has joined the National Saturday Club to offer 13 – 16 year olds an insight into the filmmaking world. The new LFS Film & Media Saturday Club will launch from 8th October and will run for a total of 18 weeks, giving young people a chance to study at LFS in the heart of Covent Garden.

Club members learn various film techniques as they watch, discuss, and make films in class and at home.  Sessions are led by professional filmmakers and take place at LFS in Covent Garden on Saturday mornings, from 10am until 12pm over three terms until 18th March 2023. 

We had the chance to speak with former LFS Student and MA Screenwriting Grad, Ameir Brown as he has just been announced as one of the writing team for forthcoming Disney+ drama, A Thousand Blows. Ameir has worked on the new project from Steven Knight and Stephen Graham with a group of writers including Insook Chappell, Harlan Davies and Yasmin Joseph. The UK original series is set in the world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London, based on real-life figures and stories.

Responding to the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Interim Director and CEO of London Film School, Peter Holliday, said:

“On behalf of the staff, students, and Governing Body of London Film School, I share our sincere sympathies with the Royal Family. Throughout her life, the Queen demonstrated a keen interest in and support for the arts, education and research both in the UK and around the world and valued the contribution of those working to support the development of others. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and supporters at this very sad time.” 

After an eventful School year, August tends to be a little quieter for LFS but students, alumni and staff have been just as busy as ever this month with exciting projects, a wealth of achievements and preparations for the new School term.

The 79th Venice Film Festival will be taking place from 31^st August to 10^th September and is one of the highlights of the year for the film and screen industries. We are thrilled that the achievements of our alumni and staff have been recognised.