[email protected]
www.academyfilms.com
+44 (0)20 7395 4155
Academy Films Ltd
16 West Central Street
London
WC1A 1JJ
About
Academy is a production home for creative talent. Art, music, film, photography and advertising runs in our blood, and creativity is at the heart of everything we do.
We have spent 35 years developing film making talent, picking up awards across all platforms and working with some of the biggest brands, most exciting artists and brightest creative minds in the world. In a constantly evolving industry, we are as comfortable working directly with broadcasters, marketers and brands as with traditional advertising agencies, and understand the need to make our output as effective as it is engaging.
Founded in 1985 by Lizie Gower, Academy’s guiding philosophy has always been to nurture and develop emerging young talent and this approach has led to our unrivalled reputation for launching stars of the future. Directors Jonathan Glazer, Martin De Thurah, Seb Edwards, Frederic Planchon, Si & Ad and Us all signed to Academy at the beginning of their careers and continue to shoot ground breaking and award winning work.
In 1999 Academy produced what is widely regarded as the best commercial ever made – ‘Surfer’ for Guinness. The film won two D&AD Black Pencils and ‘Commercial of the Year’ at almost every award show. The Times voted ‘Surfer’ as The Most Iconic Ad of all time and the film continues to top ad polls inside and outside the industry.
In 2014 and 2016 Academy was named Production Company of the Year by Campaign Magazine. In 2019 we launched our photography department, and were awarded D&AD Production Company of the Year.
We have produced some of the best loved music videos of all time including ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ and ‘Virtual Insanity’, as well as films for the Beyonce, James Blake, David Bowie, Jay-Z, Madonna, Massive Attack, Frank Ocean, The Prodigy, Radiohead, Kanye West, Jack White and many others.
With feature films, TV and art projects in development, Academy continues to pursue the most challenging and rewarding creative opportunities for our roster of world renowned directors and photographers.
Awards
Production Company of The Year 2011
Best Crafted Commercial of the Year 1999
Best Crafted Commercial of the Year 2003
Best Crafted Commercial of the Year 2005
Special D&AD Award as the 3rd Most Awarded Prod. Company of all time
LBB Newsfeed
O2 Shows How Connection Brings Us Together in ‘Near or Far' Campaign
Created by VCCP with production by Academy Films and Girl&Bear, the cinematic campaign highlights the power of O2’s network to connect people in the big moments and everyday life
Work of the Week 22/08/25
This week’s standout creative work includes Bournville’s dark chocolate feud, Apple’s emotive accessibility campaign, and O2’s introduction to England’s Red Roses, from VCCP, TBWA\Media Arts Lab LATAM, Special Australia and more
O2 Helps England's Red Roses Charge into Women's Rugby World Cup
O2 campaign from VCCP and Academy Films director Marcus Söderlund puts England’s most successful rugby team front and centre
Zhang + Knight Join Academy for US Representation
Zhang + Knight have shot campaigns for Mercedes, Hawaiian Airlines and Maserati, among others
BBC Creative Celebrates Best of Britain
BBC has launched a campaign making case for licence fee
Director Jackson Lee Forsythe Likes “The Things We Hide From”
The Academy Films director is carving out a style defined by depth, rhythm, and texture. LBB’s Zhenya Tsenzharyk finds out why his classical music background makes him a better director, and how he fought seasickness to make the latest films for Salomon