NFTS - Directing Fiction Applications 2025

[Sentenza]

Congrats, hopefully you'll get the shot @beak

Asked for feedback, but I think I knew from the interview tbh. Now that the process is over I feel comfortable in sharing my experience.

It just felt like they didn't want to talk to me from the start. They arrived late, kept saying that we didn't have a lot of time from the start (despite the interview being scheduled for 45 minutes, it lasted only 20/25 and I was cut off whilst giving my answers a few times), one of the panel dropped off 5 minutes into the call and never came back (they did reassure me that he was going to watch the recording, but it's not exactly the same as having him on, is it). I know I gave my best given the circumstances but I did feel like it was an interview that was decided before it even started. Also, coincidentally, I was rejected by my BAFTA scholarship application 2 hours after the interview, this happened last year as well so I'm guessing they let them know if you progress (although, it is just a conjecture).

 

[beak]

That is such a shame, I'm so sorry you had that experience. I guess it could be for all kinds of reasons that it went like that (scheduling mishaps and practical things?), and it seems strange that they would choose to interview you if they didn't feel you had a shot but I can imagine it might make you feel differently about wanting to go there?

 

[Sentenza]

It's the third time I apply and it's gonna be my last. I already work in the industry so for me it's not a matter of "getting in" it's more that I just want to focus on Directing and clearly I don't appeal to them as a filmmaker. I've moved countries and worked my but off for 8 years to get a shot at the NFTS and if that isn't enough, nothing ever will.

It's a shame because I always dreamed of one day studying there but it's just not going to happen and I won't have a film ready for next year anyways, which would mean applying for a 2027 intake, at that point I'll probably be too old for them anyway. So it's a done thing for me.

 

[teoinatree]

I am also a reserved applicant which I assume, essentially, is just a more drawn out rejection.

 

[Chris W]

Sorry to hear! Good luck if you apply again.

I am also a reserved applicant which I assume, essentially, is just a more drawn out rejection.

Be sure to log your application when you can... It helps figure out the stats on reserve (wait-list) etc...

 

[yanadhh]

It's the third time I apply and it's gonna be my last. I already work in the industry so for me it's not a matter of "getting in" it's more that I just want to focus on Directing and clearly I don't appeal to them as a filmmaker. I've moved countries and worked my but off for 8 years to get a shot at the NFTS and if that isn't enough, nothing ever will.

It's a shame because I always dreamed of one day studying there but it's just not going to happen and I won't have a film ready for next year anyways, which would mean applying for a 2027 intake, at that point I'll probably be too old for them anyway. So it's a done thing for me.

I'm sorry about that! Also got rejected today. And I'm so sorry about how your interview went, sounds very unpleasant. Although I could feel they were genuinely interested in me during mine, it didn't help with getting in! Good luck with your career and plans and everything else. I think you will achieve a lot even without them! For sure!

 

[FD97]

Congratulations to the people who have gotten in and for those who have been rejected, I know it really hurts right now (I’ve been there twice) but getting an interview is a huge achievement. They only interview around 40 people so you were very close and it’s not an attack on your talents or you as individuals, nobody really knows their criteria for who they select. Just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go again or figure out what the next step is. The worst thing you can do is dwell on it (trust me).

And for those applying next year - see you in the rat race!

 

[SpaghettiWizard]

Really sorry to hear about everyone who didn't get in, and to those who are on the reserve list, I think you can never know what will happen. I have been offered a conditional offer. Which as far as I understand if the conditions are met, I get an unconditional offer!

 

[Chris W]

Really sorry to hear about everyone who didn't get in, and to those who are on the reserve list, I think you can never know what will happen. I have been offered a conditional offer. Which as far as I understand if the conditions are met, I get an unconditional offer!

Congrats! Be sure to log your application when you can. Good luck with the conditions!

 

[SpaghettiWizard]

Congrats! Be sure to log your application when you can. Good luck with the conditions!

Thank you! Yes I will be sure to do that when I get a moment.

 

[Man with No Name]

Hello everyone! I have read many different reviews about NTFS and as I understand it, they enroll students without any experience in the film industry too. If I have a YouTube channel with several detailed video essays about films, dramaturgy and cinematography, does it make sense to send them these works?

 

[FD97]

Hello everyone! I have read many different reviews about NTFS and as I understand it, they enroll students without any experience in the film industry too. If I have a YouTube channel with several detailed video essays about films, dramaturgy and cinematography, does it make sense to send them these works?

I’m not sure if Directing Fiction would accept that as they ask specifically for short film / films but I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt your application to add it alongside a short also better to ask the NFTS admissions office I suppose.

 

[PartickThistle1876]

Hi all, long time lurker on this forum. Got an email yesterday saying I have been nominated as a “Reserve Candidate” for Directing Fiction. I was previously notified that my status was as a “Reserve Applicant”. Does anybody know what this change means or is anybody else in the same position? Are the “Reserve Candidates” chosen from a wider pool of “Reserve Applicants”? This is my first time applying so I’m pretty unsure as to how it all works .

 

[beak]

Hi all, long time lurker on this forum. Got an email yesterday saying I have been nominated as a “Reserve Candidate” for Directing Fiction. I was previously notified that my status was as a “Reserve Applicant”. Does anybody know what this change means or is anybody else in the same position? Are the “Reserve Candidates” chosen from a wider pool of “Reserve Applicants”? This is my first time applying so I’m pretty unsure as to how it all works .

I had the same - reserve applicant and then reserve candidate. Also not sure, but my feeling is that it could just be that it was a holding email when they were getting rejections/acceptances out and now this is a more fleshed out email with more information about dates and funding - rather than a different thing? But maybe it's a change! Would love to know!

 

[squashsandwich]

Did anyone get feedback this year from interviews?

 

[FD97]

We gonna get the ball rolling on the 2026 intake page soon?

 

[Chris W]

We gonna get the ball rolling on the 2026 intake page soon?

Start it up! Never too early.