The NFTS to present Jack Thorne with honorary fellowship

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) will award its annual Honorary Fellowship to award-winning screenwriter, playwright and prominent advocate for the disabled community, Jack Thorne.

NFTS Chair Sophie Turner Laing will present the Fellowship, awarded each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry, at the School’s yearly graduation ceremony on Friday 3^rd March 2023 in Central London.

Jack Thorne is the renowned writer behind cinema and television hits including Enola Holmes, This Is England, Wonder, His Dark Materials, The Virtues, The Swimmers and Covid care home drama, Help. The NFTS Board of Governors selected him as recipient of the prestigious Honorary Fellowship in recognition of the exceptional contribution he has made to the film and television industry both as a writer and as a campaigner for equality.

Born in 1978, Jack has enjoyed prolific career success, beginning his career writing for shows such as Shameless and Skins before going on to win five BAFTAs and numerous RTS awards for his work. In 2021 he delivered a watershed MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh Television Festival, spotlighting the lack of disability representation within British television. One of the most sought-after storytellers of his generation, upcoming projects include the highly anticipated four-part drama Best Interests for BBC One, following a married couple as they fight for their disabled daughter’s medical care.

The NFTS celebrates every students’ individuality and embraces diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity. It is dedicated to increasing representation in the creative industries and ensuring opportunities are open to everyone. The School is committed to fostering an environment where disabled talent see themselves being able to thrive and is consulting closely with Disability Consultant Ally Castle, to establish new and targeted ways of supporting greater inclusion for disabled creatives within the film, television and games industries.

Ally Castle is co-project lead of the TV Access Project (TAP), an alliance of broadcasters and streamers who have pledged to work together to deliver real improvements in access for disabled talent across the UK TV industry. TAP was set up in response to Jack Thorne’s landmark MacTaggart lecture which sparked a need for urgent and permanent change.

Jack Thorne commented: “The National Film and Television School is going through a profound change. At a time when disabled creatives see doors routinely closed to them, it is beautiful and important to see the NFTS open its doors in a new and more accessible way. I’m so thrilled to accept this honour, and delighted with the changes the NFTS are making.”

NFTS Chair Sophie Turner Laing said: “I’m a great admirer of Jack’s remarkable writing and his ceaseless campaigning around disability awareness within television. He is one of the most important voices we have in the UK and it is a privilege to celebrate his extraordinary work. Jack is a true inspiration to our students and I look forward to welcoming him as an Honorary Fellow of the National Film and Television School.”