In 2001, Daisy Gili and Anna MacDonald founded London Film Academy with a shared vision: to give aspiring filmmakers the practical skills and experience to build careers in the film industry.
Twenty-five years later, that vision continues to inspire the next generation of filmmakers. From discovering their specialism to working on major film and television productions, our alumni reflect the lasting impact of learning by making films, collaborating with others and building industry connections.
We recently celebrated this legacy at our annual Showcase at BFI Southbank, bringing together the LFA community to celebrate the Class of 2026 through screenings of their films and table reads. It was a fitting way to mark 25 years of filmmaking, creativity and collaboration.
Learning by making films
At LFA, students gain hands-on experience across all filmmaking departments, helping them discover their strengths and find their place in the industry.
For Zoja Schlamberger, a BA Filmmaking graduate who has worked in visual effects on Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning and How to Train Your Dragon 2, this practical experience was invaluable.
Fellow BA graduate Fatima Khan, now a producer working on music videos for artists including Aitch and Arjun, found that exploring different roles helped her identify her career path.
For Aimee Robinson, who studied LFA's Filmmaking Diploma, now the BA (Hons) Filmmaking, that experience helped her discover her passion for assistant directing. She has since worked on productions including House of the Dragon, Bridgerton and The Sandman.
These experiences are about more than technical skills. They give students the freedom to experiment, make mistakes and develop the confidence to pursue their ambitions.
Building connections that last
Filmmaking is a collaborative industry, and the relationships made working on set can often become lasting professional partnerships.
Fatima Khan still works with the people she met at LFA, demonstrating how student collaborations can continue long after graduation.
For Tanguy Pichon, an MA Filmmaking graduate whose film Sesame Seed screened at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, that sense of community was especially important when moving to a new country.
Corey Mandelzys, an MA Screenwriting graduate and filmmaker, also credits the people around him with helping him develop his craft. Having the opportunity to observe experienced filmmakers bringing scripts to life helped shape his own approach to filmmaking.
From LFA to the wider industry
Our alumni have gone on to build careers across the film industry.
Atharv Pujari, an MA Filmmaking graduate who has worked on Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and The Odyssey, has produced four short films since graduating and secured an HBO traineeship at Warner Bros. Studios.
Reflecting on what shaped him as a producer, he said:
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Ektipah Blay, an MA Filmmaking graduate and founder of Specchio Films, has directed Voices of Denim (read LFA news article on this here), commissioned by Levi's and the Afro Fashion Association and premiered at Milan Fashion Week.
His advice to aspiring filmmakers reflects the importance of learning through experience:
For Gianmarco Formica, a graduate of LFA's Filmmaking Diploma, now the BA (Hons) Filmmaking, the experience provided a foundation for his career as an assistant director on productions including Indiana Jones, Fast & Furious and The Odyssey.
Reflecting on his time at LFA, he said:
These stories highlight the many paths a filmmaking career can take, and the importance of practical experience, collaboration and the confidence to pursue what you are passionate about.
Celebrating the Class of 2026 at BFI Southbank
Last week, our annual Showcase brought the LFA community together at the BFI Southbank to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026.
Through film screenings and table reads, the evening showcased creativity, dedication and collaboration of our talented filmmakers and screenwriters.
Behind every project was a team of students putting their skills into practice, overcoming challenges and working together to bring their stories to life.
The Showcase was also a reminder of what connects our graduating students with the alumni who came before them: a shared passion for film.
As our alumni demonstrate, the connections made at LFA can last long after graduation, growing into creative partnerships and professional networks that continue throughout their careers.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and thank you to everyone who joined us at BFI Southbank to celebrate their work.
Looking ahead to the next 25 years
Since Anna MacDonald and Daisy Gili founded London Film Academy in 2001, the industry has continued to evolve, but the importance of practical experience, collaboration and community remains.
Our alumni remind us that filmmaking education is about more than learning technical skills. It is about discovering what inspires you, learning from others and developing the confidence to take your next step.
As we celebrate 25 years of LFA, we are proud of the filmmakers who have shaped our legacy.
Here's to the next 25 years of making films and telling stories together.