About History

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 more than 35 years developing film making talent, winning 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, 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 Beyonce, James Blake, David Bowie, Jay-Z, Madonna, Massive Attack, Frank Ocean, The Prodigy, Radiohead, 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.