Barbara Broccoli has cemented her father’s name at the heart of Britain’s leading film school.
BEACONSFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 23: Barbara Broccoli poses with a time capsule on a visit to the NFTS (National Film and Television School) to celebrate major milestone moments in the School’s history as new expansion breaks ground on February 23, 2026 in Beaconsfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tim Whitby for NFTS)
When Albert R “Cubby” Broccoli, along with Harry Saltzman, launched Dr No in 1962, he not only introduced the world to James Bond; he also helped lay the foundations for one of cinema’s most enduring series. More than six decades later, his name has quite literally been set in stone.
On 23rd February 2026, Barbara Broccoli visited the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in Beaconsfield to mark the start of construction on The Cubby Broccoli Building, named in honour of her late father. The ceremony formed part of a wider celebration of expansion at the School, attended by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos and senior figures from across the British screen industries.
Few producers are as closely identified with a single franchise as Cubby Broccoli is with Bond. From Dr.No through to Licence To Kill, he oversaw the transformation of Ian Fleming’s creation into a global screen institution. Yet alongside the glamour of premieres and red carpets ran a quieter commitment: support for the craft and infrastructure that underpin filmmaking.
In 1986 Broccoli provided major funding for the NFTS Production and Facilities department, supporting the School’s hands-on training for filmmakers. A document recording that donation has now been placed in a specially commissioned time capsule within the foundations of the new building. Barbara Broccoli also contributed a letter co-written with Michael G Wilson and addressed to future Producing students. The capsule will be opened in 2071 to mark the School’s centenary.
For Bond fans, the connection between 007 and the NFTS is not merely ceremonial. More than 100 alumni have worked across the Bond films, many in senior creative roles. From production design to sound, costume to editing, graduates of the School have helped define the look and tone of the series across multiple eras.
Due to open in January 2027, the building will also, for the first time in the School’s history, provide on-site accommodation. Nine fully accessible bedrooms will be available for disabled students, with costs covered by the Accessible Living Bursary launched by screenwriter Jack Thorne in June 2025.
Ted Sarandos delivered a Masterclass during the visit and confirmed a new Netflix investment in the NFTS, funding the creation of The Netflix Lounge within the Cubby Broccoli Building. The initiative forms part of the company’s Generation N programme supporting skills and training in the UK. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also marked the occasion, highlighting £10 million in government funding for the School’s expansion as part of its Creative Industries Sector Plan.
In a joint statement, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said their father “deeply believed in craftsmanship, collaboration and the art of storytelling” and described it as meaningful to see his name linked permanently with the NFTS.
Source: NFTS
