A new era of Filmmaking at Tonbridge

The first was the opening of the new Vikram Jayanti Film Suite named after Old Tonbridgian and acclaimed Hollywood documentary filmmaker, Vikram Jayanti. Funded through the generosity of the Jayanti family, the suite includes a private cinema, teaching space and state-of-the-art editing facilities, establishing Tonbridge as a regional centre for filmmaking. Its launch coincides with the introduction of A Level Film Studies in September 2026, with students set to use the facilities for both teaching and coursework. Headmaster James Priory thanked the Jayanti family for their generous support of the creative arts.

Following the opening, the premiere of Our Lady of Harringham, a 35-minute film, was screened EM Forster Theatre, showcasing the School’s outstanding film-making talent. Written by Nick Waywell, directed by Alex (FH5), and edited and shot by Max (HS4), the production featured a cast of pupils and staff, including Jaden (CH5), Connor (WH4), Jon Woodrow, teacher of DTE and Bobby Busvine, Drama Department Assistant. Filmed almost entirely during the weekly Wednesday afternoon Film-making activity throughout the academic year, the project was completed just in time for its premiere. The original score was composed by James (PH5).

Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon, the film explores themes of religious experience and deception through multiple conflicting accounts of a single event, making striking use of the School’s Chapel and Orchard. The ambitious production was praised for its professionalism and is expected to further strengthen Tonbridge’s growing reputation for excellence in filmmaking.