On Feb. 13, New York Film Academy joined China Media Group’s (CMG) “Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala” event in New York, celebrating the Lunar New Year alongside UN representatives and cultural leaders.
As part of the event, CMG and NYFA jointly launched the “Bright Future of Humanity” 2026 Global AI Film and Television Works Collection, an international initiative inviting creators to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and visual storytelling.
On February 11, 2026, the New York Film Academy hosted a Lunch and Learn workshop at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for active-duty service members and military families interested in exploring creative careers in film and media.
A total of 76 participants attended the session, titled Introduction to Screenwriting: Telling Your Story for the Screen. The interactive workshop was led by NYFA Screenwriting faculty member Kelly Larson, whose professional credits include writing for the television series Batwoman, development projects with Nickelodeon, and work with DC Comics.
During the session, attendees were introduced to the fundamentals of storytelling for film and television, including narrative structure, character development, and how personal experiences can inspire compelling screen stories. Many participants were particularly interested in how military service experiences, such as leadership, resilience, and transition, can translate into powerful storytelling within the entertainment industry.
In addition to the creative workshop, the event generated strong interest in NYFA’s educational programs. Service members asked questions about admissions, program formats, and how to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits and active-duty Tuition Assistance (TA) to pursue training in areas such as filmmaking, acting, producing, cinematography, and screenwriting.
Events such as the Camp Pendleton Lunch and Learn reflect NYFA’s continued commitment to engaging directly with active-duty service members and military families. By bringing creative workshops directly to military installations, NYFA helps service members explore new educational opportunities and potential career pathways in the film and entertainment industry as they plan their next chapter.
On January 22, 2026, New York Film Academy Director of Veteran Services Chris Moore was featured on the VET S.O.S. Podcast, a military transition-focused platform dedicated to supporting veterans as they navigate life after military service.
The podcast is hosted by Shawn Welsh, founder and co-host of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, and provides resources, guidance, and practical insights for service members preparing to transition into civilian careers.
During the episode, Chris discussed how the New York Film Academy supports veterans pursuing careers in the creative arts, including filmmaking, acting, producing, and other disciplines. The conversation highlighted the leadership, discipline, and storytelling perspectives veterans bring to the entertainment industry.
The discussion also explored how veterans can utilize VA education benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, to pursue hands on training in film and media production. Chris emphasized the importance of mentorship, community support, and access to professional training as key elements supporting successful veteran transitions into creative careers.
Media engagements such as this podcast help raise awareness about the opportunities available to veterans in the film and entertainment industries and reinforce NYFA’s commitment to supporting the veteran community.
On January 12, the New York Film Academy’s New York campus hosted representatives from the Wuhan Institute of Design and Sciences and its Jackie Chan Film and Media School. NYFA President Michael Young and Dr. Joy Zhu, Executive Vice President for Global Partnerships, welcomed the delegation.
The guests gained an overview of NYFA’s hands-on, industry focused educational approach and engaged in discussions on potential avenues for future collaboration. The visit underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening academic and cultural exchange.
In January, the Chinese Writers Association of America donated copies of the inaugural issue of World Chinese Literature to the New York Film Academy New York campus library. This contribution enhances the library’s collection and expands access for students and faculty to contemporary Chinese literary works.
The New York Film Academy is grateful for this meaningful donation, which supports cultural exchange.
There are some career moments that feel extra special, and cinematographer Claudia Raschke being welcomed into the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is definitely one of them. For those of us at the New York Film Academy and for any aspiring filmmaker trying to figure out their own path, her journey offers a reminder of how beautifully unpredictable this field can be.
Claudia was born in northern Germany, in Hamburg. She grew up surrounded by cinema – thanks to her family’s movie theatre business. Cinematography wasn’t her first dream, she originally came to New York to study modern dance at the Martha Graham Studio. While in conversation with a fellow restaurant worker who also happened to be a part-time cinematography instructor at Columbia University, he invited her to visit a set and she describes in the ASC announcement, “ It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.”
After that moment, Raschke enrolled in a One Year Filmmaking program at New York University and began filming projects for Columbia students. She worked her way up, from clapper loader to camera assistant to operator and then director of photography..
This October, she became a member of the ASC, a milestone that doesn’t just honor her artistry but also her perseverance in the field. It reflects her decades-long commitment to the craft. ASC membership is extended by invitation only and recognizes cinematographers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism, and dedication to advancing the art of visual storytelling. For Raschke, joining the ASC places her among a distinguished group of cinematographers whose work has impacted both the industry and the way audiences experience film. It also highlights the increasing presence of women within the cinematography community.
One of the most compelling things about Raschke’s work is how her dance background lives inside her cinematography. As she says, “I can choreograph using camera movements with my subjects; I can paint with lights and sculpt with shadow to create a three-dimensional world.”
Over the course of her career, Raschke has worked on a number of documentary features and series. Some of her most notable credits include:
Her work covers a wide range of subject matter, like political figures, scientists, activists, artists and historical icons.
For RBG, filming with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was incredibly restricted. Access was limited and Raschke often had a little as twenty minutes with her. She had to prepare meticulously, consider lighting, blocking, and camera movements to have everything ready to go the second the clock started. Filming inside the Supreme Court meant no second chances.
Beyond her work as a cinematographer, Raschke has always been committed to teaching. She joined the NYFA Documentary Faculty in 2016, sharing decades of real documentary experience with students – the kind of knowledge you only get from being in the field, solving problems under pressure, and navigating stories that evolve moment by moment.
Raschke is also a founding member of the NYC Kamera Kollektive, a collective focused on documentary cinematography. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and has been recognized as a Canon Explorer of Light, a program highlighting photographers and cinematographers who demonstrate excellence in their field. These affiliations reflect both her expertise and the respect she has earned within the filmmaking community.
Her philosophy makes it clear why her work resonates the way it does. As she puts it, “Filming intuitively, honestly and without inhibitions is a journey that requires a compassionate heart and the ability to see and hear what lies beneath the surface.”
Seeing Claudia Raschke join the ASC isn’t just inspiring, it’s grounding. It’s a reminder that filmmaking isn’t just about equipment or technique. It’s about listening, paying attention, staying open, and following the moments that change you. Her journey is proof that your instincts and your curiosity can take you exactly where you’re meant to be.
We’re proud to have Claudia shaping the next generation of documentary storytellers at NYFA, and we eagerly look forward to the meaningful, transformative films she will bring into the world.
The New York Film Academy had the honor of welcoming Nick Hutchison, esteemed faculty member of the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), to our campus last week.
Mr. Hutchison led a dynamic two-hour workshop, “Whose Shakespeare Is It Anyway?”, for students in our Acting for Film and Musical Theatre programs. Developed with Sir Jonathan Bate, the masterclass explored how actors approach Shakespearean text—examining its origins, the role of modern editors, and the differences between the Folio and the Quartos that shape contemporary editions.
Through scenes including Henry V at Harfleur, a single-letter shift in The Merchant of Venice, Cleopatra’s entrance, Benedick and Beatrice’s iconic exchange, Viola’s Ring speech, the ending of King Lear, and more, students gained deeper insight into how textual nuances inform performance. Many eagerly volunteered to read, analyze, and perform some of Shakespeare’s most celebrated passages.
NYFA looks forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with LAMDA, including welcoming their students to our summer short-term intensives—and offering our students opportunities to study with them as well.
A heartfelt thank-you to Mr. Hutchison for sharing his expertise, enriching our students’ understanding of classical text, and making the exploration of Shakespeare both accessible and inspiring.
China Education Press Agency Visits NYFA
On November 5, New York Film Academy welcomed a delegation from the China Education Press Agency (CEPA). The delegation met with President Michael Young and Dr. Joy Zhu.
CEPA, one of China’s most influential educational media organizations with over 30 million social media followers, plays a key role in shaping the nation’s education landscape.
The visit re-affirmed NYFA’s standing as a global center for creative learning and collaboration.
On October 24, 2025, New York Film Academy veteran students and alumni participated in the CineVet Film Festival, an event dedicated to showcasing films created by military veterans and amplifying veteran voices in storytelling.
The festival featured film screenings, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to connect veteran filmmakers with industry professionals and fellow creatives.
Veteran students from NYFA presented projects that reflected perspectives shaped by military service, demonstrating how storytelling can serve as a powerful platform for sharing experiences and building connections within the creative community.
Among those recognized was current NYFA student and veteran filmmaker Jerod D. Taylor, whose short film Lyfe Amongst the Waters received the Crown of Cinematic Excellence award in the Short Film category at the Cinema Royale Film Festival.
Collaborations such as CineVet continue to advance NYFA’s mission to support veterans transitioning into careers in film, media, and entertainment.
