Ghanaian filmmaker McListowel Koranteng embarks on prestigious NFTS journey

In a pivotal moment of his burgeoning career, Ghanaian filmmaker McListowel Koranteng has been accepted into the hallowed halls of the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the United Kingdom.

This remarkable achievement comes on the heels of Koranteng's international success with his debut film, "The Curfew," which garnered simultaneous acquisitions by five major international airlines and subsequently secured a streaming deal with Amazon Prime.

The NFTS, situated in the historic Beaconsfield studios of Buckinghamshire, stands as one of the world's foremost film institutions. With a mere three per cent acceptance rate, NFTS is highly competitive and ranks among the most challenging film schools to gain admission to. Notably located just 40 kilometres from Soho, the heart of the UK's entertainment district, the school boasts an illustrious roster of alumni that reads like a who's who of cinema history.

Renowned figures such as Roger Deakins, the Oscar-winning cinematographer of "1917"; Laurie Nunn, creator of the globally acclaimed Netflix series "Sex Education"; David Yates, the BAFTA-winning director celebrated for his work on the "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" franchises; Academy Award-winning animator Nick Park; and Oscar-winning composer Dario Marianelli all trace their roots back to NFTS. The school's impressive tally of 14 Academy Awards and 146 BAFTAs attests to its standing as one of the most decorated film institutions globally.

In a historic milestone, NFTS became the first film school to clinch all three of CILECT’s prestigious awards in 2013, a testament to its unparalleled influence in shaping the international film and television landscape. With a graduate employment rate surpassing 90 percent, NFTS alumni ascend to pivotal creative roles within the UK's largest and most high-profile film and television ventures.

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, attests to NFTS's preeminence in nurturing creative talent, describing it as a "world leader when it comes to developing creative talent." She notes that the institution has produced some of the most gifted filmmakers in the industry, providing an invaluable pipeline for the UK’s creative sectors.

McListowel Koranteng's journey stands as a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path where talent, determination, and the pursuit of excellence converge. As David Puttnam aptly states, "If we’re to have a future as an industry, we need skills. To have skills, we need investment. To have investment, we need to be constantly making our case as to why we are a really significant component of the nation’s economy and tourism."

Koranteng's enrolment into NFTS holds the promise of further elevating the global standing of the Ghanaian film industry, laying a foundation for future talents to make their mark on the international stage.