The New York Film Academy (NYFA) has been recognized as one of Variety’s Top Film Schools for 2020. This is the fourth consecutive year that NYFA has been included in the annual report, which lists Variety’s selections of worldwide academic filmmaking institutions. The report, The Entertainment Education Impact Report: The Top Film Schools and Educators From Around the Globe is created to identify leading film schools that effectively prepare their students for “successful careers in the entertainment biz.” The report is a reputable resource used by producers, film executives, and rising talent.
The schools chosen annually by Variety are known for their excellence in filmmaking education, guiding their students with “structure and encouragement and artistic expertise.” Due to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 report also listed colleges implementing remote learning to keep students optimistic and engaged through the pandemic.
NYFA has made special strides to accommodate the needs of the student community. As of March 2020, online workshops are available in film directing, acting, cinematography, documentary, photography, producing, screenwriting, editing, game design, broadcast journalism, and a list of musical theatre online classes. The courses are designed around remote learning and include live interactive instruction and one-on-one sessions with the instructor. Online workshops are also offered through NYFA Australia to accommodate for Asia-Pacific and Australian time zones. Throughout April to June, teens and kids after-school online workshops are also being offered. The instructors who are teaching online workshops are uncovering innovative ways to virtually bring the film industry to the student’s homes.
“Our new online model has worked surprisingly well,” said Andrea Swift, Documentary Filmmaking Chair. “We’re making just as many films, and so far, our students have used the “limitations” of social distancing as opportunities to create some extraordinary work. Creativity loves an obstacle.”
The Variety report continued by highlighting NYFA’s various creative disciplines that “span all forms and platforms,” beyond filmmaking. The piece also called out the large volume of programs at NYFA, including fine arts degrees, graduate opportunities, conservatories, and youth programs. Variety also commended NYFA’s exceptional faculty and staff, who are all working industry professionals that are active in their respective fields. Additionally, the report praised NYFA’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at campuses and locations worldwide.
NYFA has been included in Variety’s Entertainment Education Impact Report since 2017. In the first report, NYFA gained recognition for accelerated creative programs. Variety also called out filmmaking accomplishments of NYFA graduates, which included screenings at Venice, Toronto, Sundance, Cannes, and SXSW film festivals. Recently, NYFA alumni from the producing and cinematography programs have worked on exciting projects such as the “Tiger King” and Awkwafina’s award-winning film “The Farewell.”
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NYFA is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). These accreditations extend to all NYFA campuses in the United States and overseas.