Community Outreach

New York Film Academy students and alumni volunteer as mentors for elementary, middle, and high school young writers, helping them to realize their unique voices as they learn to write original stories and see them brought to life on stage and on film. Selected students from YSF also participate in the New York Film Academy Youth Film camp where the teens learn hands-on filmmaking from NYFA faculty and student volunteers.

Designed with Actor, Director, Producer Bill Duke, The Bill Duke Youth Media program provides hands-on education in media and financial literacy to youth between the ages of 14 & 18. Through training and empowerment workshops, the Bill Duke Camp seeks to prepare middle and high school students from underserved communities the opportunity to explore emerging careers in digital media technology, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. Select students from the Bill Duke camp participate in the NYFA Community Outreach Youth Film Program.

The British Academy of Film and Television Los Angeles in collaboration with LAUSDs George Washington Preparatory High School selects young filmmakers to participate in NYFA’s hands on youth filmmaking program sponsored by NYFA Community Outreach. Films created by the students are entered into Washington Prep’s Student Film Festival each year, and 4 recipients from the BAFTA Outreach program are selected to receive a scholarship to a summer teen filmmaking program at The New York Film Academy.

In partnership with Chrysalis Los Angeles, Urban Possibilities is a 501c non-profit which provides support and inspiration to adults recovering from homelessness and severe poverty by offering valuable communication skills during their search for employment. Participants in UP are a growing community of producers, artists, entrepreneurs and everyday people driven by passion to create new possibilities. NYFA students and UP participants collaborate in an annual storytelling workshop to create original media presentations that empower both groups to see life from new perspectives. Volunteer opportunities are open to all NYFA students, faculty and Alums through NYFA C.A.R.E.S.

In the NEXT Young Filmmakers program, 12 outstanding students have the opportunity to work with NYFA faculty to further explore their paths in filmmaking. Talented young filmmakers are taught advanced classes in lighting, production design, production sound, and assistant directing training which also enables them to develop their personal voices as storytellers and filmmakers. The aim is to keep the students who are engaged and serious about a career in filmmaking on a track to prepare them for college.

The Actors Fund non-profit “Looking Ahead” youth program in partnership with SAG-AFTRA helps professional young performers and their families thrive amid the unique challenges of working in the entertainment industry. Young actors ages 9-18 living Southern California participated in the NYFA Community Outreach “Make A Film A Day Workshop” designed to introduce young people to the various positions and career opportunities in the film industry behind the camera. Students also participated in a Q & A about college and film school access. The “Make A Film A Day’ workshop also focuses on leadership and collaborative skills building. NYFA Students and alumni as Volunteers and support for the students.

Founded by New York Film Academy Alum, Tamika Lamison, The Make A Film Foundation provides an opportunity for young people diagnosed with critical or terminal illness to use the media as a powerful tool for self-expression and communication by creating five-minute film legacies. Pairing participants with noted directors, writers, actors and producer mentors, we provide them with the tools, resources, and guidance to reclaim the media and give them a voice. NYFA Community Outreach provides production support for the dream film projects created by the young people. NYFA also provides Red Carpet support for film screenings at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and throughout NYC and LA. NYFA Alums and Students also serve as apprentices for MAFF film shoots, and as volunteer crew on MAFF productions. We are excited about this unique opportunity to give back.

North Hollywood’s Free, Safe After School Environment filled with support, academics, music, art, dance, healthy food and activities, Hands4Hope LA provides support to at-risk youth ages 8 to 18 from low-income, predominantly minority households through free S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) based after-school programs, low-cost Academic Summer Camp, and semi-annual single parent resource fairs. New York Film Academy is proud to partner with Hands4Hope, providing filmmaking mentorship programs and volunteer support on an ongoing basis.

The Actors Fund non-profit “Looking Ahead” youth program in partnership with SAG-AFTRA helps professional young performers and their families thrive amid the unique challenges of working in the entertainment industry. Young actors ages 9-18 living Southern California participated in the NYFA Community Outreach “Make A Film A Day Workshop” designed to introduce young people to the various positions and career opportunities in the film industry behind the camera. Students also participated in a Q&A about college and film school access. The “Make A Film A Day’ workshop also focuses on leadership and collaborative skills building. NYFA Students and alumni as Volunteers and support for the students.