New York Film Academy Partners with Netflix
To help develop the skills of Ukrainian film and television creators, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) partnered with Netflix, the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs, the Ukrainian Film Academy, and the House of Europe. Supported by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, the initiatives offered financial assistance through stipends for creative purposes and post-production grants, plus access to digital education.
Throughout 2023, the program provided Ukrainian industry professionals with training through a series of digital masterclasses that covered all aspects and stages of a co-production project. Plus, NYFA instructors Mark Ritcheson and Israel Gutiérrez led two, two-day post-production workshops. NYFA’s curriculum enabled visual storytellers to hone their producing and post-production skills through learning best practices when budgeting and scheduling all aspects of post and visual effects.
”We were honored to be invited by Netflix to participate in the training of Ukrainian producers,” said Dan Mackler, Senior Vice President and Dean of NYFA Los Angeles. “New York Film Academy has had the privilege of training so many talented students from Ukraine, and now more than ever, we see the importance of helping Ukraine develop the skills needed to tell their stories.”
NYFA’s Support for Ukrainian Filmmakers
At NYFA, we pride ourselves on our support of international filmmakers. To date, over 200 Ukrainian students have graduated from NYFA, and in 2023, NYFA welcomed an independent group of documentary filmmakers from Ukraine to our New York City campus. The visit was part of a two-week tour of the U.S. film industry organized by Cultural Vistas. During their time on the NYFA campus, the filmmakers participated in a panel discussion with faculty and students from NYFA’s Documentary Filmmaking department.
The guests and NYFA faculty discussed the challenges encountered while filming in Ukraine and their experiences working in a conflict zone. Andrii Lytvynenko, one of the visiting filmmakers, discussed the immense responsibility that comes with being a Ukrainian filmmaker right now while Ukraine is on the global stage.
“We need to stand against Russian government propaganda and present truth in this world, against a ballistic policy of different countries and politics,” said Andrii.
The NYFA & Netflix Partnership
NYFA has had a longstanding relationship with Netflix, partnering on various initiatives. In 2021, NYFA and Netflix offered a virtual training program for Assistant Editors in India. The course was curated to enhance the skills and knowledge of Assistant Editors, Editors, and Post Supervisors nationwide.
NYFA also partnered with Netflix on the NCIG TV Writers “Lab 6×6” program in 2022. This innovative program brought six selected creators from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia together, transforming their ideas into market-ready pitch decks. The decks were presented to Netflix in just six weeks. During the program, NYFA provided toolbox sessions that mentored and guided the creators.
In January 2023, NYFA and Netflix also offered an in-person Assistant Editing course for post professionals in Indonesia and Thailand. As a leader in visual storytelling, NYFA is proud to continue collaborating with Netflix on these endeavors and shaping the filmmaking professionals of the future.
Enhance Your Storytelling Skills at NYFA
In addition to our degree and certificate programs, NYFA offers online and in-person short-term workshops for aspiring filmmakers from all over the world. To learn more about attending NYFA for an in-person program or one of our virtual, hands-on workshops, request more information today.