Lord Puttnam, President of the Film Distributor’s Association, has announced the renewal of the FDA’s annual sponsorship of the NFTS as well as commissioning the School’s students to make a new anti-piracy film to be shown in UK cinemas 2013.
Speaking to an audience of film exhibitors, distributors, DCMS representatives and NFTS graduates at a party celebrating 21 years of sponsorship from the FDA, Lord Puttnam reeled off a list of successful graduates including Roger Deakins (Cinematographer on recent Bond film Skyfall) and said: “Over the years, the School has developed into the UK’s leading centre for people aspiring top work in film and TV production.”
Lord Puttnam, who is also President of the NFTS, praised both organisations for the longevity, depth and value of their partnership that began in 1992, saying: “Distributors have kept faith with the NFTS all these years precisely because of a commitment to the long-term success of our industry and the people who drive it…If your function is to connect talent with audiences, it makes perfect sense to do all you can to help nurture the next generation of talent- to be instrumental in helping enhance this industry’s capacity to create.”
In 2010, the FDA commissioned NFTS students to make a short film that gave a ‘fresh take on theatrical anti-piracy communications’ and the resulting film – The Last Cinema Directed by Jae-ha Myung – was shown in cinemas across the country. Lord Puttnam applauded the impact of this film on cinema goers, which together with the partnership with FACT, Crimestoppers and a host of suppliers, had created ‘…a step-change in the landscape for UK film distribution.’
Following on from this success, Lord Puttnam announced the launch of new commission and invited NFTS students to pitch their ideas by Spring 2013.