The New York Film Academy (NYFA) is pleased to announce and congratulate a record number of alumni and guest speakers nominated for a People’s Choice Award. This publicly celebrated event gives everyday fans the opportunity to vote for the best of television, film, music, and pop culture across a number of categories.
The 47th People’s Choice Awards is open for voting through November 17th, 2021. We’ve listed the NYFA alumni and guest speakers who have been nominated, as well the complete list of nominees below.
Find out the winners of each category when the awards ceremony airs on NBC and E! on December 7th, 2021 at 9:00 p.m. EST.
NYFA ALUMNI & GUEST SPEAKER NOMINATIONS
MOVIES
Dune | Francesco Panzieri
**Also nominated for THE DRAMA MOVIE OF 2021
The 3D Animation and VFX NYFA alum Francesco Panzieri was the in-house compositor for the highlight acclaimed film, Dune. Panzieri has worked across film and television with a long list of credits, including Clash of the Titans, For Colored Girls, Madea’s Big Happy Family, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Terminator: Dark Fate , and Westworld.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Manon Lewis
**Also nominated for THE ACTION MOVIE OF 2021
New York Film Academy Australia alum Manon Lewis was the third assistant director for Marvel’s highly-anticipated Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings film. Lewis has a long list of credits including Kate, Aquaman, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Thor: Ragnarok, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales , and Kong: Skull Island.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage | Alfredo Tavares
Also nominated for THE ACTION MOVIE OF 2021
Acting for Film Conservatory alum Alfredo Tavares was in the film nominated this year, Venom: Let There Be Carnage. The actor has been credited in other films and television shows including The Batman, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, The Crown, I May Destroy You, Shooter, The Peripheral, The Devil’s Advocate , and Mission Impossible.
THE COMEDY MOVIE OF 2021
Vacation Friends | King Bach
Former Acting for Film student Andrew Bachelor (aka King Bach) starred as Gabe in the Hulu original series, Vacation Friends. He has also appeared in When We First Met, Where’s the Money, and The Babysitter.
THE ACTION MOVIE OF 2021
F9: The Fast Saga | Leroy Button
New York Film Academy Australia filmmaking alum Leroy Button was the VFX Camera Operator for F9: The Fast Saga, the latest addition to the Fast and Furious movie franchise. Leroy is also credited in feature films and television shows including No Time to Die, Aquaman, Dora: The Lost City of Gold, Jane, Westworld, Leaving Neverland, Sense, Godzilla Vs Kong, Monster Problems, Bloody Hell, Reef Break, At Last , and The End.
Godzilla Kong | Julian Lawrence
New York Film Academy Australia filmmaking alum Julian Lawrence was the digital imaging technician of the Australia unit for Godzilla Kong. The film is the fourth installment in the MonsterVerse series, the 36th film in the Godzilla franchise, and the 12th film in the King Kong franchise.
THE FAMILY MOVIE OF 2021
Luca | Raquel Bordin
Brazilian-born Filmmaker and NYFA alum Raquel Bordin worked on the popular Pixar animated film Luca as part of the International Editorial Department. The filmmaking alum’s thesis film, Tip Toe, has screened at the Cannes Film Festival and at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles, where it won “Best U.S. Short” at the Brazilian Film Festival.
Yes Day | Hayden Szeto
Acting for Film AFA alum Hayden Szeto appeared alongside Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramirez in the Netflix original film, Yes Day. The actor also appears in Tigertail, The Edge of Seventeen, and The Good Place.
TELEVISION
THE SHOW OF 2021
Cobra Kai | Guest Speaker Robert Mark Kamen
Also nominated for THE DRAMA SHOW OF 2021 and THE BINGEWORTHY SHOW OF 2021
NYFA Guest Speaker and Bronx-born screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen wrote for films including The Transporter, The Karate Kid, Taken, Angel Has Fallen, Le cinquième élément, and The Fifth Element. The actor sat down to speak in an episode of the NYFA podcast The BackLot to discuss his work with Luc Besson on The Professional (Leon), The Fifth Element, Kiss of The Dragon, the Taken series, and his inspiration for and work on The Karate Kid.
Grey’s Anatomy | Camila Luddington
Also nominated for THE DRAMA SHOW OF 2021
Acting for Film Conservatory alum Camila Luddington plays Jo Wilson in the incredibly popular TV drama, Grey’s Anatomy. The actress has also appeared in Californication and plays Lara Croft in the newest incarnation of the Tomb Raider video game franchise.
WandaVision | Guest Speaker Elizabeth Olsen
Also nominated for THE SCI-FI/FANTASY SHOW OF 2021
Emmy-award nominated actress and NYFA Guest Speaker Elizabeth Olsen plays the Scarlett Witch in the popular Marvel Studios television series WandaVision streamed on Disney+. The actress sat down with NYFA’s Tova Laiter for an interview in a Q&A-List Series.
THE DRAMA SHOW OF 2021
Outer Banks | Samantha Soule
Also nominated for THE BINGEWORTHY SHOW OF 2021
NYFA Online Workshop alum Samantha Soule appears in the film Outer Banks. The actress has a long list of credits, including Godless, The Irishman, City on a Hill , and Tales of the City.
THE SCI-FI/FANTASY SHOW OF 2021
Superman and Lois | Uzair Merchant
Filmmaking Workshop alum and Director Uzair Merchant is credited for his work on the CW Series, Superman and Lois. The director/producer includes other credits, including Deadpool 2, Star Trek: Beyond, Furious 7, Skyfall, and The Misfits.
New York Film Academy Congratulates all the alumni and guest speakers who made it to the momentous occasion and earned this well-deserved recognition for their work in the film and entertainment industry.