The London Film School (LFS) is the first established international school of film technique in the world, founded in October 1956 when Gilmore Roberts, the Principal of the Heatherley School of Fine Art, set up a short course in filmmaking. When he found that his school had been sold from under him, he decided to continue the course independently, establishing what would become one of the most prestigious film schools globally.
The first LFS filmmaking course ran in May 1957. After precarious early days, the school settled in Brixton as the “London School of Film Technique.” It was established around the belief that the future health of filmmaking in Britain could be promoted by properly designed formal training for people entering the industry, which was then run on a traditional apprenticeship basis.
In the early 1960s, the school moved to premises in Charlotte Street in London’s West End and was renamed The London Film School. Since the mid-1960s, the school has been housed in an 18th-century warehouse in Covent Garden, which maintains a dramatic and individual character. In 1974, the school was renamed as LIFS, the London International Film School, but reverted back to The London Film School in 2001 and simply London Film School in 2017.
In 2025, the school expanded with a new campus in nearby Parker Street, which has become its main hub. The new main London Film School building in Parker Street offers a modern setting and facilities and is adjoined by an independent cinema, The Garden Cinema. Additional facilities are located in the School’s historic building in Shelton Street, which was previously a brewery and a banana warehouse.
The school has a unique constitution as a registered charity and a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee. All students become members of the Association and, together with other members, elect a board of governors on which they have representation. The board of governors has overall responsibility for the management of the school. The current director is Chris Auty, and the chairman is Greg Dyke.
The London Film School offers various degrees at postgraduate level: an MA in Filmmaking, an MA in Screenwriting, and, in partnership with the University of Exeter, an MA in International Film Business and a PhD in Film by Practice. It also offers a range of short and part-time professional development courses under the LFS Workshops banner.
The MA Filmmaking program is structured into modules that provide a thorough grounding in all aspects of filmmaking. The curriculum is project-oriented, with students working on a series of film exercises that increase in complexity and scope as they progress through the program. The first module focuses on language, image, meaning, and style, with students creating short, 16mm black and white mute films. The second module explores both non-fiction and fiction filmmaking, with students producing documentary films and more complex drama productions.
Throughout the program, students take on different roles in film production, including producing, directing, cinematography, editing, production design, and sound recording. This hands-on approach ensures that graduates have practical experience in all aspects of filmmaking, making them versatile and well-rounded film professionals.
Rather than trying to create a national cinema, as many government-funded schools have done, LFS from the outset fostered a broad, craft-based culture of excellence with students from more than 80 countries. At present, over 60% of the school’s students are from outside the UK, making it a truly international community. The school is recognized as a World-Leading Specialist Provider by the Office for Students and has been named one of the top international film schools by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
The London Film School has played a significant role in the development of film education in Britain and across the world. As the oldest film school in the UK and one of the oldest in the world, it has contributed to the evolution of film pedagogy and has been at the forefront of adapting to changes in the film industry, including the transition to digital filmmaking.
The school’s location in Covent Garden, neighboring Soho, places it at the heart of the UK film industry, providing students with unparalleled access to industry professionals and opportunities. This strategic location has helped the school maintain strong connections with the industry and ensure that its curriculum remains relevant and up-to-date.
LFS has been a member of international film and television associations, including CILECT, and has established partnerships with other prestigious institutions, such as the University of Exeter and the University of Warwick. These collaborations have enhanced the school’s academic offerings and provided students with additional resources and opportunities.
The London Film School’s legacy is embodied in its impressive roster of alumni, which includes some of the most celebrated filmmakers in cinema history. Notable LFS graduates include Mike Leigh, the internationally renowned director who also served as the school’s chairman; Michael Mann, known for films such as “Heat” and “The Insider”; and cinematographers like Tak Fujimoto and Roger Pratt, who have worked on major Hollywood productions.
More recent alumni include Benjamin Cleary, whose short film “Stutterer” won an Academy Award; Anu Menon, a successful director in the Indian film industry; and Carla Simón, whose films have received acclaim at international festivals.
In recent years, films made at the school have regularly featured and won awards in some of the world’s top film festivals, including Venice, Cannes, Berlin, the BFI London Film Festival, Encounters, and Sundance. This continued success in international competitions demonstrates the school’s ongoing commitment to excellence in film education and its ability to nurture talented filmmakers who can compete on the global stage.
The London Film School’s enduring influence on the film industry is a testament to its founding vision of providing formal training for filmmakers in an industry that was traditionally based on apprenticeship. By maintaining its independence and adapting to changes in the industry while preserving its core values, LFS has secured its place as one of the world’s premier film schools, continuing to shape the future of cinema through its graduates.
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