Beginning in 2023, New York Film Academy (NYFA) will be in José Ignacio, Uruguay, for the 13th edition of the José Ignacio International Film Festival (JIIFF). Between the 14th and 22nd of January 2023, filmmakers, creatives, writers, directors, and producers from across the globe will compete in short-form and long-form film categories, pitch ideas to a panel of judges, and network with fellow creatives. This festival will be NYFA’s second year in support of JIIFF through an academic scholarship opportunity for festival participants.
Between the 14th and 22nd of January 2023, filmmakers, creatives, writers, directors, and producers from across the globe will compete in short-form and long-form film categories, pitch ideas to a panel of judges, and network with fellow creatives. This will be NYFA’s second year in support of JIIFF through an academic scholarship opportunity for festival participants.
Generación J and Emerging Fiction Filmmakers & Producers in Uruguay
The festival screens the films of professional filmmakers, writers, producers, and directors. In addition, JIIFF offers labs and working sessions where attendees can learn and cultivate their craft with industry experts.
One such subset of the festival, Generación J, is supported by the National Audiovisual and Cinema Institute of Uruguay (INCAU). Sponsored by Punta del Este Studios, the Generación J segment of the festival includes working sessions. Part of the session will be held at the studio’s building, which provides professional stages, a warehouse, production offices, and services for the media and entertainment industry.
Generación J invites international tutors with professional experience in the film and entertainment industry to train ten young filmmakers, producers, and directors on producing, directing, and screenwriting for the fiction genre.
Three awardees of Generación J’s creative categories in directing, producing, and screenwriting will receive an academic scholarship to attend a NYFA short-term workshop. Participants can learn at one of NYFA’s campus locations in New York City, Los Angeles, or South Beach (Miami) or attend the workshop virtually.
Scholarships Awarded to Generación J for NYFA Workshops in Filmmaking and Producing
Generación J winners can win one of three NYFA short-term workshops. Total tuition costs will be covered by NYFA (not including travel, lodge, or equipment fees), and students will learn filmmaking and production from entertainment industry professionals.
Awardees can win one of the following three workshops:
- 4-Week Online Film & TV Producing | Students get a comprehensive overview of the production process in this program. This workshop covers the fundamentals of producing, directing, film financing, line producing, and pitching (and more) for film and television. Students will learn to use Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting software.
- 15-Week Online Producing | Students interested in a similar curriculum as the 4-week online workshop above but would like additional flexibility in scheduling should consider the 15-week online workshop. While the coursework is the same as the 4-week workshop, the course is designed to meet the needs of students with other commitments such as work, school, childcare, etc.
- 4-Week In-Person Film and TV Producing | In this 4-week intensive on-campus workshop, students explore the entire spectrum of the role of a film or television producer. The topics covered include the creative producing process, film packages, story, and script analysis, production management, camera, lighting, sound classes, Avid editing system, pitching, entertainment law, and case studies.
Now in its second year of support and partnership with JIIFF, NYFA first awarded training scholarships to three competitors in the 2022 Generación J competition. The 2022 winners for each category of emerging creatives were Agustina Trujillo (production), Emanuel Sobré (directing), and Guillermo Trochón (screenplay).
As a continued supporter of the Uruguayan film community, NYFA has offered master classes and training opportunities in recent years. The José Ignacio International Film Festival’s 12th and 13th editions encouraged young creatives to study at the visual and performing arts school. In November of 2022, NYFA offered a master class in Creative Film Financing at the Test & Invest Uruguay Business Summit in Punta del Este, Uruguay. NYFA president, Michael Young, was a guest panelist at the Summit, speaking on the Audio Visual Industries in LATMAM. Similarly, in 2021 NYFA offered a master class in Hollywood-style film and television production in another partnership with Punta del Este Studios and INCAU.
An essential part of the world for NYFA, Latin America makes up a large portion of the international student body enrolled in long-term programs. Notable international alumni and students from Latin America include acting alum Manuel Garcia Rulfo (Mexico), MFA in Documentary Filmmaking alum Carolina Sosa (Uruguay), filmmaking alum Lucy Luna (Mexico), acting alum Maisa Silva (Brazil), and acting alum Andrea Muñoz (Colombia) are a few examples.
For more information, follow NYFA on social or visit JIIFF’s homepage for details about previous winners and how to apply to next year’s Generación J competition.