NYFA President’s Visit to China: Bridging Cultures Through Education and Storytelling

December 6, 2023

This Fall, President Michael Young of the New York Film Academy (NYFA), along with Dr. Joy Zhu, NYFA’s Executive Vice President for the China Region, was invited to China by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE). Their visit covered cities including Beijing, Chengdu, and Xiamen, demonstrating NYFA’s dedication to global educational outreach and cultural exchange.

At-the-China-Annual-Conference-Expo-for-International-Education
New York Film Academy (NYFA) President, Michael Young, at the China Annual Conference Expo for International Education

In Beijing, President Young was invited as the keynote speaker at the China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education. His presentation, “Cinema and Us: From Inspiration to Reality,” engaged a diverse assembly of education experts from around the world. Dr. Liu Limin, President of the CEAIE, the hosting organization of the conference and expo, and former Vice Minister of Education of China, met with President Young.

At the Beijing Film Academy, the President participated in the International Development Summit Forum and the 23rd Animation Academy Awards. The event was attended by representatives from Canada, France, New Zealand, and other international institutions. President Young emphasized NYFA’s educational values and achievements during his address at the opening ceremony, showing the Academy’s global influence in film and animation education.

New York Film Academy (NYFA) President, Michael Young, at the 23rd Animation Academy Awards of Beijing Film Academy
New York Film Academy (NYFA) President, Michael Young, at the 23rd Animation Academy Awards of Beijing Film Academy

In Chengdu, President Young’s visit to the Sichuan University of Media and Communications (SUMC) featured interactions with students enrolled in joint degree programs and NYFA alumni who are now teaching at SUMC.

New York Film Academy (NYFA) President, Michael Young, at the Sichuan University of Media and Communications

At Xiamen University, the president met with the university leaders, fostering further collaboration. A highlight was the co-hosted premiere of “Unsettled History: America, China, and the Doolittle Tokyo Raid,” a documentary by NYFA Broadcast Journalism Chair Emeritus Bill Einreinhofer.

This visit underscores NYFA’s commitment to bridging cultures through educational initiatives and the art of storytelling, thereby enriching international dialogue and cultivating collaborative partnerships.

Read more about NYFA’s ongoing commitment to bridging cultures on the Academy Blog.