It was considered the leading institution for the promotion and development of the audiovisual culture of Wales through higher-level education, research and training.
Grierson's editorial assistant Harley Jones became the first Lecturer in Cinematography setting up the course with five students and one Bolex camera.
Working with 16mm film, students made a mix of personal and sponsored films; many then went on to work in the BBC or ITV as editors and cameramen (e.g. George Bailey, Graham Horder, David Jones, Martin Elsbury) or became independent producers (e.g. Geoffrey Wynne Thomas, Richard Oliver Watkins).
The film school prided itself on a successful parallel mixture of theory study and practical creativity which it believed drove the unique quality of its filmmakers.
Many of the courses relocated to Cardiff, housed in a converted former BT office block, however many of the lecturers found alternative employment elsewhere, notable to Falmouth University were Christopher Morris is now the Director of the School of Film & Television.