The two-year NFTS Directing Animation MA is world-renowned for being one of the most dynamic and creative animation courses. If you have a passion for storytelling, creating characters and the art of animation, the course will give you the skills to bring these passions to life on screen and help you develop into the filmmaker you aspire to be.
Led by some of the most talented artists from across the animation industry, the course combines art school philosophy with state-of-the-art film school facilities. Students create their projects within a workshop environment that inspires experimentation and creativity. You will gain the skillset required to write, direct and animate films, graduating with a portfolio of outstanding work that will provide a showcase for the relevant techniques and knowledge required for successful employment.
"Over the years the NFTS Directing Animation MA has provided us with some of the brightest talent in our company, from skilled and creative directors to savvy producers and talented crew. " Benjamin Lole, Executive Producer, Blinkink
Films made by students on the Directing Animation MA are consistently selected for film festivals all over the world. They have picked up some of the most celebrated awards in animation, from BAFTAs to Sundance and Annecy.
All NFTS students can attend the School’s masterclasses programme, with animation guests including: Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls), David O’Reilly (The External World, Please Say Something), Glen Keane (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Michaël Dudok De Wit (Father and Daughter, The Red Turtle).
This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
All forms of visual storytelling are encouraged and nurtured; giving you the opportunities to work across traditional and digital media including drawn 2D, 3D, stop-motion and life-size pixilation. Students feel empowered to push boundaries; confident in finding their own unique voice, while exploring original new animated techniques and fresh approaches to storytelling.
Collaboration is the key to succeeding in the world of animation and it is also central to the ethos of the course and the NFTS. Collaborative workshops with many other filmmaking disciplines across the School fosters a strong team spirit and are an essential tool, enabling animation directors to better understand the role of each crew member and develop expertise across the whole of the production process.
The first year builds a solid foundation across all aspects of animation. It is filled with inspiring workshops, including improving your animation skills, writing better narratives and developing fresh approaches to design and techniques.
In the second year, you will develop, produce and direct your graduation film, leading a fully crewed team who will enable you to bring your vision to life, using the School's incomparable production facilities.
The professional pipeline of making films at the NFTS will prepare you to be ‘job ready’ upon entering the highly competitive field of animation while the creative freedom the course gives will help you steer an industry that thrives on innovation in new and pioneering directions.
Beaconsfield, London, Part-Time, 1 Year (Monday Evenings)
Beaconsfield, London, Part-Time, 1 Year
Beaconsfield, London, Full-Time, 15 Months
Beaconsfield, London, 24 Weeks, Part-Time Blended Learning
Beaconsfield, 8 Weeks, 3 Days Per Week
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 15 Months, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Part-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Part-Time (Monday Evenings)
London, 1 Year, Part-Time (Thursday Evenings)
Online, 10 Months, Part-Time
Londond, 18 Months, Part-Time (Tuesday Evenings)
Beaconsfield, 12 Weeks, Full-Time
This course is designed to help new producers enter the world of professional filmmaking.
London, 6 Months, Part-Time (Tuesday evenings)
London, 9 Months, Part-Time (evenings)
Beaconsfield, 3 Months, Full-Time
My First Job In Film is the biggest community of new filmmakers in the UK. If you are looking to promote your film course or scheme then please get in touch.