Lisa Kenney Most Promising Student Directing Animation (1)

Source: NFTS

Most promising student Lisa Kenney

The UK’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) has awarded prizes to its students at the 2023 Graduate Showcase, celebrating the past year of graduate productions.

Directing animation MA student Lisa Kenney won the coveted most promising student prize, with a £1,000 award.

Robert Bradbrook, head of Kenney’s course, described her as “a wonderful and caring student who understands that the process of making a film is just as important as the final animation. Not just her journey but the students that work with her. She always goes out of her way to ensure that the needs of others come first, resulting in a supportive family environment that allows everyone to do their best work.”

Scroll down for the full list of winners

The best cinematography prize went to cinematography MA student Toby Elwes for his work on Will Peppercorn’s fiction short Dive. Elwes receives a seven-day lighting hire package, with the jury praising “bold choices with a consistent voice throughout, demonstrating genuine expertise of the craft.”

Gemma Wilks and Emily Morgan shared the production management diploma award, consisting of £500, and Final Draft software; while further awards included excellence in sound design, to Sound Design MA graduate Luke Barnfather for his work on animation Mum’s Spaghetti.

Screenwriter Jack Thorne was present at the ceremony to receive his previously-announced honorary NFTS fellowship, “in recognition of the exceptional contribution he has made to the film and television industry both as a writer and as a campaigner for disability access and inclusion”, according to the school.

The showcase consisted of four days of some 80 screenings and industry meetings at the BFI Southbank in London, culminating in the ceremony today (Friday Marrch 3) at Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square.

NFTS 2023 Graduate winners

Most promising student – Lisa Kenney, directing animation MA

Best cinematography – Toby Elwes, cinematography MA for Dive

Production management diploma award – Gemma Wilks, Emily Morgan

Health and safety management in film production award – Frank Martin, directing documentary MA; Ciara McKenna, Sophie Outhwaite, production management diploma graduates for PromisedLand

Excellence in composing award – Samuel Read, composing MA

Excellence in sound design award – Luke Barnfather, sound design MA for Mum’s Spaghetti

Excellence in editing award – Donya Maguire, editing MA for Dive