[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
Work of the Week: 01/05/26
As May begins, LBB rounds-up the last of the best work from April, spotlighting seven spots from adidas Originals, Lacoste’s dash across the streets of Paris, Tesco’s joyfully generous fruit giant, and more in this vibrant collection of work.
Gucci’s Moonlit Film from Jonathan Glazer Fuses Slipknot and Couture
‘The Zone of Interest’ director brings his signature atmosphere to ‘Generation Gucci,’ featuring an unexpected metal soundtrack alongside dreamy fashion visuals, LBB’s Alex Reeves reports
‘Can Brands Afford to Let the Independent Sector Disappear?’
The industry reacts to Independent World Producers Alliance’s open letter challenging the agency in-house production model. Love Song, WPP Production, APA, ETC, Academy Films, Riff Raff and more weigh in
Making the Impossible Possible: The Real Craftsmanship of Producing a John Lewis Christmas Ad
Behind every iconic Christmas campaign is a producer-led balancing act of ambition, logistics and collaboration, with the hardest route often leading to the most memorable work. LBB’s Olivia Atkins reports from the Art of Craft festival
Dulux’s Beloved Old English Sheepdog Returns with Magic Twist
The joyful ‘Life is what you paint it’ campaign, created by Ogilvy UK and directed by Academy Films' Si&Ad, celebrates life’s modern milestones for the Dulux mascot's 65th anniversary
Fix It In Post? Why Doing Things In-Camera Matters
At British Arrows’ Art of Craft Festival, directors and Jean-Clément Soret talked about committing to colour, lighting, and being intentional in-camera, rather than relying on fixing it in post. LBB’s Olivia Atkins reports