Netflix has announced a £1 million donation to the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to support the creation of a new creativity hub at its Beaconsfield campus. The funding will establish The Netflix Lounge at NFTS, a dedicated space designed to encourage collaboration, creative exchange, and networking among students, alumni, and visiting filmmakers. This initiative forms part of Netflix’s broader Generation N commitment, which focuses on developing UK skills and nurturing creative talent through partnerships with film schools, charities, and industry bodies.
The Netflix Lounge will be located at the centre of the School’s expanded campus and is part of a larger redevelopment project aimed at increasing student capacity by 25 percent. The expansion seeks to widen access to high-quality film and television education and strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals entering the UK’s creative industries. By investing in infrastructure that fosters creativity and innovation, Netflix is reinforcing its long-term support for the next generation of storytellers.
The announcement comes ahead of a visit to NFTS by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, alongside NFTS Director Jon Wardle and producer Barbara Broccoli. Sarandos highlighted Netflix’s more than 12-year presence within the UK’s creative community and described the new lounge as a long-term investment in people, skills, and ideas. The initiative aligns with Generation N, which brings together Netflix’s UK-based training and skills programmes under one unified banner.
Since 2021, Netflix has invested over £30 million in UK training initiatives. Under Generation N, the company continues to collaborate with organisations such as National Youth Theatre, BAFTA Breakthrough, Women in Film & TV, ScreenSkills, and the Netflix Documentary Talent Fund, now in its fourth year. These partnerships aim to open doors to emerging and mid-career creatives while strengthening diversity and inclusion within the sector.
NFTS Director Jon Wardle welcomed the investment, describing it as a strong endorsement of the UK’s film, television, and games industries. He emphasized that the Netflix Lounge will serve as a vibrant, collaborative space where students can connect, share ideas, and develop their creative voices, reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring opportunity remains accessible.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also praised the partnership, noting that the UK’s global reputation in film and television is built on skilled professionals across the industry. She highlighted the government’s £10 million investment to expand NFTS and underscored the importance of collaboration between government and industry in sustaining growth, creating jobs, and ensuring that talent from all backgrounds has the opportunity to thrive.
