The Northern Film School

The Northern Film School We make great filmmakers. Our students make great films. The Northern Film School is one of the best-known film and television schools in the UK.

Making innovative and award-winning films for over 25 years (although we can trace our history back much further). Storytelling, technical expertise and creativity, all taught by professionals, make our graduates the filmmakers of the future. The school prides itself on:

Practical filmmaking, with real production budgets. Teaching staff with international film and TV credits. Industry partnership

s, placements and collaborations. Specialised teaching in Producing, Directing, Screenwriting, Production Design, Cinematography, Sound, Editing, Animation and Documentary. State of the art camera, lighting, sound, editing and post equipment. Industry standard studios, post-production suites, and production offices. Courses informed by film theory and criticism. With its roots originating in the late 1970s in the Leeds Polytechnic Film Unit, the Northern School of Film and Television came into being in January 1990. Eventually simplifying its name to the Northern Film School and residing within the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts at Leeds Beckett University. The Northern Film School offers filmmaking awards at BA (Hons), MA, MFA and PhD levels, attracting students from around the world. The main school site is currently in the historic Electric Press building on Millennium Square in the centre of Leeds. Here we have studios, edit labs, edit suites, grading suites, animation facilities, props and set storage, kit storage, a sound studio, production offices, flexible teaching spaces and staff offices. We have another site at the professional Prime Studios on Kirkstall Road. In early 2021 the Northern Film School will move into the £80m purpose-built Leeds School of Arts building on Leeds Beckett University city campus. This will bring a significant expansion in resources and facilities as well as greater opportunities to collaborate with other creatives with the Leeds School of Arts. Many Northern Film School alumni have gone on to win major awards, including BAFTAs and Oscars, for their work in television and film. In 2014, the Northern Film School was recognised by the Hollywood Reporter, the leading American entertainment trade publication, as one of five film schools’ to watch in the world. The school is tremendously proud of its graduates and looks forward to their continued success as it prepares the next generation of filmmakers.

Next up in our BA3 Graduation Film showcase… 🎬Blackcurrant LemonadeAurora, 9, waits bored and alone at the back of the s...
21/05/2026

Next up in our BA3 Graduation Film showcase… 🎬

Blackcurrant Lemonade

Aurora, 9, waits bored and alone at the back of the social club for her father to finish his night and take her home.

Tender, observant, and deeply atmospheric, Blackcurrant Lemonade captures the quiet moments of childhood and the feeling of waiting for something — or someone — to change everything.

Take a look at their posters, BTS, and stills from the film ✨

We are very excited for our BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase this Saturday 23rd of May!!

The BA3 Graduation Films of 2026 presents… 🎸🎥“School of Indie Rock”A short documentary following the events of a small h...
20/05/2026

The BA3 Graduation Films of 2026 presents… 🎸🎥

“School of Indie Rock”

A short documentary following the events of a small high school in rural West Yorkshire getting bands from around the world to play in their sports hall and, how these events came to be.

From grassroots gigs to global acts, School of Indie Rock dives into the passion, community, and determination behind these one-of-a-kind events, uncovering how they came to life and the impact they’ve had along the way.

Take a good look at their poster, BTS, and stills from the documentary ✨

We're getting close to our BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase this Saturday 23rd of May!!

Next in our BA3 Graduation Films 2026 showcase… 🏫✨Introducing "How Come We Never Talked About It"In the emptiness of her...
19/05/2026

Next in our BA3 Graduation Films 2026 showcase… 🏫✨

Introducing "How Come We Never Talked About It"

In the emptiness of her school, a girl finds refuge from home, drifting into a hyper-aware world of her own making. The film follows her exploring her emotions through the empty school.

Quiet, intimate, and visually immersive, How Come We Never Talked About It explores isolation, vulnerability, and the unspoken feelings we carry alone.

Take a look at their poster, behind-the-scenes moments, and stills from the film 🎬

Excited for the BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase this Saturday 23rd of May!!

BA3 Graduation Films 2026 continues… 💀🕺✨Introducing "Death Dance”During a traumatic time in his life, a troubled young m...
18/05/2026

BA3 Graduation Films 2026 continues… 💀🕺✨

Introducing "Death Dance”

During a traumatic time in his life, a troubled young man has a surreal encounter with an eccentric, musical community who show him the freedom of dancing.

Surreal, emotional, and bursting with energy, Death Dance explores grief, healing, and the transformative power of movement and connection.

Have a good look at their poster, behind-the-scenes moments, and film stills from this bold and vibrant production 🎬

Get ready for the BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase this Saturday 23rd of May!!

Next up in our BA3 Grauation Films of 2026...✨️"Isn't She Lovely"A mother discovers her distant daughter unresponsive, l...
17/05/2026

Next up in our BA3 Grauation Films of 2026...✨️

"Isn't She Lovely"

A mother discovers her distant daughter unresponsive, leading her to confront the argument that drove them apart. As time slips away, love and regret collide in a moment that will change everything.

Shot almost entirely in one continuous take, Isn't She Lovely is an intense and emotionally raw exploration of grief, fractured relationships, and the things left unsaid.

Take a look at their poster, behind-the-scenes moments, and stills from the film. 🎬

Tickets are available now for the BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase via the link in our bio!

The BA3 Graduation Films deep dive continues 🦈🪒Introducing "The Pink Elephant"An anxious woman must deal with lands wors...
16/05/2026

The BA3 Graduation Films deep dive continues 🦈🪒

Introducing "The Pink Elephant"

An anxious woman must deal with lands worst flatmate, a Hammerhead shark, who's flooded their flat with his heedless clutter.

Absurd. Hilarious. Painfully relatable. The Pink Elephant dives into anxiety, messy living, and the tensions of shared space with a surreal twist.

Have a look through their poster, BTS and film stills to get a sneak peak at this film.

Tickets for the BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase are available through the link in our bio!

The BA3 Graduation Films of 2026 continues… 💔🍸🪥Introducing “We Need To See Other People”After a messy breakup, newly sin...
12/05/2026

The BA3 Graduation Films of 2026 continues… 💔🍸🪥

Introducing “We Need To See Other People”

After a messy breakup, newly single Ruby is thrown into the chaos of modern dating in your 20s as she navigates through dates with nightmare twists decreasing her hope in men. One drunken night Ruby ends up back at her ex’s place where a purple toothbrush pushes her over the edge of self reflection.

Sharp, chaotic, funny, and painfully relatable — We Need To See Other People explores heartbreak, modern dating, and the messy process of figuring yourself out after love falls apart.

Check out their poster, BTS, and film stills 🎬✨

Tickets for the BA Filmmaking End of Year Showcase are now available to book! Click the link in our bio to grab your seat!

Another incredible BA3 Graduation Film of 2026 coming your way… 🎬Introducing a powerful new film following Marcos — a ma...
10/05/2026

Another incredible BA3 Graduation Film of 2026 coming your way… 🎬

Introducing a powerful new film following Marcos — a man desperate to be left alone, but his resemblance to his late aunt Elena interrupts his peace.

As memories, grief, and identity begin to blur, Marcos is forced to confront the weight of a connection he can’t escape.

Intimate, reflective, and emotionally charged, this film explores loss, family, and the echoes people leave behind.

Have a look at their poster, BTS, and exclusive stills 👀✨

Huge congratulations to our 2nd year student Sammy, who’s recently completed a placement on All Creatures Great and Smal...
22/04/2026

Huge congratulations to our 2nd year student Sammy, who’s recently completed a placement on All Creatures Great and Small, working with the Assistant Director department 👏

Spending a few days on a studio shoot, Sammy gained valuable hands-on experience on a professional set.

A big thank you to FilmBuddy for creating these opportunities for our students — it’s always great to work together and support the next generation of filmmakers.

Huge congratulations to our alumni making their mark across this year’s BAFTA TV nominations:Jordon Scott Kennedy  for R...
25/03/2026

Huge congratulations to our alumni making their mark across this year’s BAFTA TV nominations:

Jordon Scott Kennedy for Rocket Fuel (Short Form), continuing an impressive run as an award-winning writer/director. His work spans shorts and feature filmmaking, including Su***de Kelly (2023) (Best Picture & Best Director at the BAFTA-accredited British Urban Film Festival) and Youthless (2023), with Rocket Fuel going on to premiere on BBC Three and reach millions online.

Sam Donovan for a BAFTA TV Craft Award (Director: Fiction) for his work on Severance. His nomination builds on an outstanding career across major series including The Crown, Skins, The Widow, Utopia, and BAFTA-winning Last Tango in Halifax.

We’d also like to recognise the many students and alumni who contributed to Adolescence, which has received an impressive 11 BAFTA nominations this year.

From emerging voices to internationally acclaimed television, it’s fantastic to see NFS talent recognised across the industry.

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Electric Press, 1 Millennium Square
Leeds
LS23AD

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