Newport Film School

About

Newport Film School, also known as The International Film School Wales, was part of Newport School of Art, Media and Design at the University of Wales, Newport. It was considered the leading institution for the promotion and development of the audiovisual culture of Wales through higher-level education, research and training. It had approximately 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying a range of film-related courses. The Newport Film School was set up in 1966 by Principal John Wright who invited the renowned documentary film maker John Grierson to become its Patron. Grierson's editorial assistant Harley Jones became the first Lecturer in Cinematography setting up the course with five students and one Bolex camera. Working with 16mm film, students made a mix of personal and sponsored films; many then went on to work in the BBC or ITV as editors and cameramen (e.g. George Bailey, Graham Horder, David Jones, Martin Elsbury) or became independent producers (e.g. Geoffrey Wynne Thomas, Richard Oliver Watkins). In more recent years, BBC documentary director Christopher Morris (An American in Aberfan) lead the Documentary Film BA degree course and award-winning director Florence Ayisi (Sisters in Law) lead the Film & Video BA course. The curses were supported by HTV and students were able to have attachments to the film unit. The lower floor of the building housed the a

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.