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London Film School

London Film School

London Film School

Introduction

London Film School (LFS) is the oldest film school in the UK. For more than 65 years, LFS has been the place for emerging creative talent to hone their craft, find their voice and engage directly with the vibrant UK screen industries. The School offers three full-time MA programmes, a PhD. Film by Practice, and a full calendar of short courses.

The School is celebrated for its commitment to film, innovation and creative freedom, and its reputation for teaching excellence and practical learning. In 2022 London Film School was awarded World-Leading Specialist Provider status by the Office for Students. Located in the heart of London’s Covent Garden, LFS welcomes a student cohort from every corner of the globe, LFS has always been a cultural hub where fresh voices, experiences and perspectives rub shoulders with tradition and history. This diverse range of cultures and film traditions makes for a creative hothouse. A global network, once built, lasts a professional lifetime.

The School is committed to collaborative practice-based learning and produces over 180 films every year, creating a dynamic and intensive film environment. LFS nurture and respect the imagination of students, allowing them to experiment, challenge conventions and explore new modes of storytelling, and to find new ways to connect with audiences. Mastering technical skills is balanced with the creative development of ideas. Students engage with the new challenges facing screen storytellers in an ever-changing landscape and are encouraged to apply that same imagination and experimentation in thinking about new business models, into developing a career as an independent filmmaker.

LFS is deeply connected to local and international screen industries, and its alumni span the globe, working in every part of the film industry. Its students have won every major award in the screen industries, and the School continues to foster and nurture the next generation of filmmakers. The nominations and awards list spans Cannes, Venice, Tribeca, Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival, The BFI London Film Festival, Edinburgh, Encounters, Oscars, and Sundance. Every role within LFS plays a key part in shaping future creative professionals, impacting the future of the global creative industries.

Within the MA Filmmaking there is no pre-specialisation, students will experience and be provided with a full education in all the craft areas to develop a full understanding of filmmaking and find their filmmaking voice. The experience offered is built around the notion that filmmaking is a collaborative process, not a product of any one individual. Students engage in all disciplines, with their fellow students and staff.

The MA Screenwriting provides a unique opportunity to develop a full-length feature film script, with individual mentoring and guidance from industry mentors. Screenwriting students have opportunities to work with filmmaking students to make several short films across the year.

Understanding digital strategies and new funding models is addressed in the MA International Film Business, a course run in conjunction with the University of Exeter. With modules in international finance, world cinema, and a research trip to a major Film Festival, the course prepares students for careers in programming, exhibition, and distribution in a fast-changing media landscape.

The University of Exeter College of Humanities is able to offer doctoral studentships to fund doctoral study in Film by Practice, as a joint degree with London Film School. These doctoral studentships are tenable for up to three years and cover full tuition fees and a maintenance allowance.

London Film School is a non-profit educational charity with Greg Dyke as its Chairman of the Board and Chris Auty as Director and CEO.

Campus Features

Located in the heart of central London, our two main buildings are based in the entertainment and creative hub of London’s West End in Covent Garden. Our facilities are split across two buildings, offering specialist teaching zones and unique learning spaces:

Studios

Two studios equipped with lightning rigs which are used for term time filming. A third studio is used as a multifunctional space to house rehearsals, auditions, and drama and script workshops.

CinemAs

Two in-house cinemas with projection facilities for digital and 16mm with 110 and 35 seat capacity respectively. Cinemas are used to screen term time work, Showcase screenings and Industry and Alumni events.

Design Studio

A fully equipped design studio with drawing boards, model making facilities, visual and material reference libraries, and design computer suite.

Camera Department

In-house camera department with an array of camera equipment at students’ disposal.

Editing Suites

Dedicated editing suites for post-production including an analogue film room for 16mm film formats.

Sound Suites

Dedicated sound suites for the preparation of soundtracks, commentary, recording and sound effects.

Workshop Suites

Multifunctional workshop space for collaborative and practical work, teaching and Masterclasses.

Library

An extensive collection of films and LFS productions are stored in our School Library. Our students also have access to the BFI Reference Library which is within a ten-minute walk from the School.

LFS is located in the heart of Covent Garden, central London, meaning student accommodation is not provided by the School. Students are encouraged to find external or private Student Accommodation options for their studies.

Our Student Support Team will be on hand to provide information on accommodation options during your time in London.

    Scholarships and Funding

    Several Scholarship opportunities are available to UK and International students both within and out with the school. A small example of Scholarship opportunities include;

    • The Leverhulme Arts Scholarship open to UK and eligible EU applicants for each September intake of our MA Filmmaking and MA Screenwriting course.
    • Chevening Scholarships available to eligible international applicants to our MA Screenwriting program.

    Why study at London Film School

    RECOGNISED GLOBALLY

    Named by the Office for Students as a World-Leading Specialist Provider internationally in the filmmaking specialism, providing a level of quality and expertise among the finest in the world. Our reputation for teaching excellence and practical learning attracts over 60 per cent of our students from outside the UK, from all corners of the globe.

    INNOVATIVE LEARNING

    A school that works with the film industry understands the market and employability – and also takes your ambitions and your originality very seriously. We want you to reinvent film form rather than copy what already exists.

    PROFESSIONAL TEACHING

    Our students are taught by experienced filmmakers and screenwriters. Their expertise provides an added value in our education, allowing our students to learn from the best and put real life working scenarios into practice. Our Academics involve industry throughout our courses, and our students have the chance to benefit from Visiting Lecturers and Industry experts across teaching, external examinations, and screenings. Films are made on built sets, shot on professional level cameras, recorded on professional digital recorders, edited on Avid and in most terms given a professional dub.

    VISIBLE

    LFS Graduation films regularly screen at Oscar and Bafta qualifying festivals, and often at A list Festivals such as Cannes La Cinef, BFI London Film Festival, TIFF and Berlinale. LFS graduates are accepted into multiple talent labs and development schemes such as Locarno Academy, Berlinale Talents, Film London Labs, Serial Eyes and other labs all over the world.

    PROVEN TRACK RECORD

    We have a rich and diverse Alumni network. Thousands of high-profile alumni and many networking opportunities await. Members of our Alumni include Directors, Michael Mann (Public Enemies), Mike Leigh (Mr Turner), Duncan Jones (Moon), Ann Hui (A Simple Life); Cinematographers, Jo Willems (The Hunger Games), Erik Wilson (Paddington), Roger Pratt (Harry Potter), Tak Fujimoto (The Sixth Sense), Paula Huidobro (CODA); Editors, Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir (Deadpool 2), Mark Goldblatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Robert Leighton (Now You See Me); Producer, Iain Smith (Mad Max: Fury Road).

    Awards & Accreditations

    Top International Film Schools

    The Hollywood Reporter (2020, 2021)

    The Best Film Schools

    Variety (2019)

    Campus Life & Facilities

    Student Services at LFS

    Our Admissions and Student Support team offer an array of support during both pre-arrival and enrolment, and throughout the duration of program study. The team are on hand to help with students’ development and wellbeing needs, and typical support includes

    • Visa and Immigration Support
    • Accommodation Advice
    • Fees and Funding Support
    • Counselling and Mentoring

    Clubs and Societies

    Our Student’s Union is affiliated with the NUS and LFS students are entitled to NUS Extra cards, offering a range of benefits which can be used throughout London.

    LFS is a full member of CILECT (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision), the international confederation of film schools, GEECT (European Grouping of Film and Television Schools) and NAHEMI (National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image) the national association for British film schools offering an array of social and networking opportunities.

    London Film School is in the Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad

    educations.com Top 10 Global rankings 2023 badge
    educations.com Top 10 Europe rankings 2023 badge
    educations.com Top 10 Global rankings 2022 badge
    educations.com Top 10 Europe rankings 2022 badge
    educations.com Top 10 Europe rankings 2021 badge

    Locations

    • London

      The London Film School 24 Shelton Street, WC2H 9UB, London

    Questions