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.
The Golden Globes are back, returning to NBC for its 80th year on January 10th, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Hosted by Jerrod Carmichael, this year brings multiple nominations for hit television shows such as Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building, as well as critically acclaimed films The Fabelmans, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, and The Banshees of Inisherin.
New York Film Academy (NYFA) celebrates multiple NYFA alumni and guest speaker nominations for films and television shows, including Elvis, White Noise, The Fabelmans,TheWhite Lotus: Sicily, Pam & Tommy, and Barry.
It will be the first year that the ceremony streams on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform, in addition to airing live on NBC.
The 2023 Golden Globes: What’s Changed
In 2022, the Golden Globes was infamously canceled at NBC and held in a private, non-televised ceremony after an ethics, finance, and diversity scandal. This year, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) promised changes to protect the integrity of the event and the safety of all involved, including a ban against members accepting gifts and a hotline for reporting misconduct.
The HFPA also made pledges to diversify its voting pool, which now includes 103 new internationally based voters and 21 additional members, which is now 52 percent female and 51.5 percent racially and ethnically diverse.
However, the ceremony still has challenges regarding viewership and relevancy, similar to many award shows. In 2022, the Oscars made significant changes to improve numbers from 2021, such as new categories and fan-voting categories, to combat the all-time low viewership of 10.4 million.
Additional challenges for the Golden Globes include actors who will no longer participate, such as Tom Cruise, who returned his Golden Globes statues in 2021. Brendan Fraser will not attend the ceremony despite his nomination for The Whale.
Nominations: The Highlights
This year, streaming giants HBO Max and Netflix tied for 14 nominations in television, followed by Hulu with nine. Leading the film distributors is Searchlight Pictures with 12 noms, followed by A24 with ten and Netflix with nine.
NYFA Alum and Guest Speaker Nominations (Film)
Elvis
Multiple NYFA Australia acting alum, including Darcie Morris, Connor Barton, Darcy Worthington, and Lachlan Crane, worked on Elvis, which was filmed in Gold Coast, Queensland. The film was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama and also picked up nominations for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Austin Butler and Best Director – Motion Picture for Baz Luhrmann.
White Noise
NYFA Guest Speaker Adam Driver, who visited our NYFA New York campus to discuss his military and film career, was nominated this year for his performance as Professor Jack Gladney in the apocalyptic and absurdist White Noise. Directed by Noah Baumbach, the film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name.
Adam Driver is unrecognizable as a distressed father in ‘White Noise.’ Image via GQ.
The story follows a family in crisis during an airborne toxic event and co-stars Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle. This is Driver’s third Golden Globes nomination.
The Fabelmans
Golden Globes front-runner The Fabelmans, directed by NYFA Guest Speaker Steven Spielberg, picked up nominations for Best Director – Motion Picture, Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture, and Best Original Score. The film is centered on a middle-class Jewish couple, played by Michelle Williams and NYFA alum Paul Dano, and their son, Sammy, who proves to be a young filmmaking prodigy. The film also stars NYFA Guest Speaker Seth Rogen as family friend Benny.
NYFA Alum and Guest Speaker Nominations (TV)
The White Lotus: Sicily
Cultural sensation The White Lotus: Sicily wouldn’t be the same without the Audrey Hepburn-esqe Harper, played by NYFA teen camp alum and Guest Speaker Aubrey Plaza. The series adds to the growing list of film and television accomplishments of Plaza, who already appeared in this year’s indie hit,Emily the Criminal.
NYFA alum Aubrey Plaza checks into The White Lotus. Image via HuffPost.
Plaza was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. The series was nominated for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. This is her first Golden Globes nomination.
Pam & Tommy
Pam & Tommy almost broke the internet with how similar Lily James and Sebastian Stan looked to their counterparts, Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee. NYFA alum Francesco Panzieri and Andrea Muñoz, who both worked on the show, share the honor of the nomination for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. NYFA Guest Speaker Seth Rogen was nominated for his role as Rand Gauthier on the show.
Barry
NYFA alum Bill Hader has once again earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy in Barry, playing the titular character. The show is also written, produced, and directed by Hader. NYFA Guest Speaker Henry Winkler, who visited our NYFA Los Angeles Campus earlier this year for a phenomenal master class with Acting for Film students, also earned a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series.
NYFA alum Bill Hader was nominated for the third time for ‘Barry.’
Additional highlights include nominations for Better Call Saul for Best Television Series – Drama, which NYFA Guest Speaker Gordon Smith worked on as the head writer, as well as a nom in the same category for The Crown, which featured NYFA Alum Alfredo Tavares. Audience favorite Only Murders in the Building was nominated for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, which featured NYFA Alum Devin LaRon Chandler, and NYFA Guest Speakers Matteo Borghese and Rob Turbovsky, the co-executive producers and writers of the show.
Abbott Elementary
NYFA Guest Speaker Wendy O’Brien joined the NYFA community at the Los Angeles campus in November 2022 for a Q&A with the school’s LA Acting for Film Creative Director, Lynda Goodfriend. O’Brien, a recent Emmy Award-winning Casting director for the hit television series AbbottElementary, touts a long list of credits for casting some of the most popular shows on television. Her credits include Sons of Anarchy; It’sAlways Sunny in Philadelphia, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Mayans, M.C.
This year, Abbott Elementary was nominated for four Golden Globes across three categories in acting and best musical or comedy television series.
New York Film Academy congratulates all of this year’s nominees. The winners will be announced on January 10, 2023. Make sure to follow our social media platforms for live updates of all the winners, backstage moments, the red carpet, interviews & more! Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
All Golden Globes Nominations 2023
TELEVISION
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Bill Hader, Barry
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear – Winner
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary – Winner
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Jenny Ortega, Wednesday
Jean Smart, Hacks
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Jeff Bridges, The Old Man
Kevin Costner, Yellowstone – Winner
Diego Luna, Andor
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Adam Scott, Severance
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Emma D’Arcy, House of the Dragon
Laura Linney, Ozark
Imelda Staunton, The Crown
Hilary Swank, Alaska Daily
Zendaya, Euphoria – Winner
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Taron Egerton, Black Bird
Colin Firth, The Staircase
Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven
Evan Peters, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story – Winner
Sebastian Stan, Pam and Tommy
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jessica Chastain, George and Tammy
Julia Garner, Inventing Anna
Lily James, Pam and Tommy
Julia Roberts, Gaslit
Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout – Winner
Best Television Series Drama
Better Call Saul
The Crown
House of the Dragon – Winner
Ozark
Severance
Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Black Bird
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Pam and Tommy
The Dropout
The White Lotus: Sicily – Winner
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series
Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Julia Garner, Ozark – Winner
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus – Winner
Claire Danes, Fleishman Is in Trouble
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Under the Banner of Heaven
Niecy Nash-Betts, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Aubrey Plaza, The White Lotus
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Murray Abraham, The White Lotus
Domhnall Gleeson, The Patient
Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird – Winner
Richard Jenkins, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Seth Rogen, Pam and Tommy
Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Abbott Elementary – Winner
The Bear
Hacks
Only Murders in the Building
Wednesday
FILM
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Babylon
The Banshees of Inisherin – Winner
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Triangle of Sadness
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Avatar: The Way of Water
Elvis
The Fabelmans – Winner
TAR
Top Gun: Maverick
Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language
RRR (India)
All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany)
Argentina, 1985 (Argentina) – Winner
Close (Belgium)
Decision to Leave (South Korea)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Todd Field, Tár
Tony Kushner & Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans
Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin – Winner
Sarah Polley, Women Talking
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Carolina,” Taylor Swift (Where the Crawdads Sing)
“Ciao Papa,” Guillermo del Toro & Roeban Katz (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio)
“Hold My Hand,” Lady Gaga and Bloodpop (Top Gun: Maverick)
“Lift Me Up,” Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther: WakandaForever)
“Naatu Naatu,” Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani, Rahul Sipligunj (RRR) – Winner
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin
Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin
Brad Pitt, Babylon
Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once – Winner
Eddie Redmayne, The Good Nurse
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Winner
Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin
Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Dolly De Leon, Triangle of Sadness
Carey Mulligan, She Said
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Diego Calva, Babylon
Daniel Craig, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Adam Driver, White Noise
Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin – Winner
Ralph Fiennes, The Menu
Best Motion Picture – Animated
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – Winner
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Austin Butler, Elvis – Winner
Brendan Fraser, The Whale
Hugh Jackman, The Son
Bill Nighy, Living
Jeremy Pope, The Inspection
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Cate Blanchett, TAR – Winner
Olivia Colman, Empire of Light
Viola Davis, The Woman King
Ana de Armas, Blonde
Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Margot Robbie, Babylon
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu
Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You Leo Grande
Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once – Winner
Best Director – Motion Picture
James Cameron, Avatar: The Way of Water
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once
In Punda del Este, Uruguay, participants of the 2022 Test & Invest Uruguay Business Summit attended the master class ‘An Essential Guide to Creative Film Financing’ lead by New York Film Academy (NYFA) Producing Instructor Krysanne Katsoolis, and presented by Punta del Este Studios’ Founding Partner and Executive Producer at El Camino Films, Nicolás Aznarez.
This class came at a critical time when filmmakers, creatives, and artists lean on new technologies to share their works with global audiences, film circuits, and international sponsors. Katsoolis taught attendees of the business summit how filmmakers and creatives could bring financial and investment opportunities to their projects. Class topics included Equity Investment, Foreign Territories, Presales, Differential Financing, Production Incentives, Sponsorship, and New Web3 Approaches to Entertainment Properties.
The 2022 Test & Invest Uruguay Business Summit was not the first partnership between NYFA and the Uruguayan government. Last year, NYFA partnered with the Uruguayan Ministry of Education and Culture, InterAmerican Development Bank, and Punta Del Este Studios to provide classes in Hollywood-style movie and television production. The class was offered to filmmakers and creative individuals of Uruguay nationality. One graduate from the program, Christian Font, now works at Teledoce.
The 2022 summit, produced by the InterAmerican Development Bank and the Government of Uruguay, positions Uruguay as a business and innovation hub in Latin America. Attendees attended lectures on trends and opportunities in ICTs, biotechnology, renewable energy, sustainable finance, and the film industry. At the Summit’s innovation showcase and business meetings, participants connected with startups and entrepreneurs with investors and internationally-known global organizations from Uruguay, the U.S., Ireland, Israel, South Korea, and other countries across Latin America.
This year’s master class marks an essential partnership with the Uruguay film community and the importance NYFA places on recruiting talent and prospective students from Latin America and South America.
Approximately half of NYFA’s long-term program student body is international (outside of the United States), with many notable alumni and students from Latin America. 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.
NYFA continues to look outward for opportunities to showcase its industry-led faculty. The school enables aspiring filmmaking, writing, and producing talent; Latin America’s established cultural emphasis on the arts is an easy segue to enhance its presence across the international film festival circuit.
See why students from Latin America chose NYFA as their place of study:
Please note: NYFA does not represent that these are typical or guaranteed career outcomes. The success of our graduates in any chosen professional pathway depends on multiple factors, and the achievements of NYFA alumni are the result of their hard work, perseverance, talent and circumstances.
New York Film Academy (NYFA) 1-Year Producing students were invited to watch the red carpet premiere of The Whale (2022) at Lincoln Center in New York City.
NYFA 1-Year Producing students were invited to watch the red carpet premiere of The Whale (2022) at Lincoln Center in NYC
The selected NYFA New York City campus students chosen to attend the premiere included Alice DeFilippi, Flint Royston, Lucrezi Bolfo, Kaitron Bryant, Miyeon Kang, Nathan Rosenberg, and Paris Yee. The lucky seven sat in Alice Tully Hall as guests of major film distributor A24 to watch the psychological drama directed by famed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. The Whale opens across United States cinemas on December 9th, 2022.
The film stars Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, Crash, Blast from the Past, Bedazzled), Sadie Sink (Stranger Things, Dear Zoe, Eli), Hong Chau (Watchmen, Big Little Lies, Downsizing), and Ty Simpkins (Jurassic World, Iron Man 3, Avengers: End Game, Insidious). The feature film tells the story of a morbidly obese teacher and his attempt to reconnect with his estranged daughter.
Directed by Aronofsky, the screenplay was written by Samuel D. Hunter, adapted from his play, and screened internationally at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. The film received acclaim for its masterful use of prosthetic makeup in creating the character Charlie (played by Brendan Fraser).
Darren Aronofsky is best known for his work in film and television. His long list of Hollywood credits includes highly recognized tiles such as Pi, Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, The Wrestler, The Fountain, and Mother! Aronofsky worked as a writer, director, and producer throughout his long-spanning career in the entertainment industry.
The Lincoln Center premiere, attended by NYFA Producing Chair for the New York City campus, Neal Weisman, was a chance for NYFA students to gain a global experience. Weisman says, “Being in the middle of the action gives students attending NYFA an extra level of excitement and involvement. Our producing students attain real-world experience through our relationships with some of the greatest talent and industry professionals today. We value and appreciate our relationship with A24, one of the most dynamic distributors in North America.”
You can visit here to learn about NYFA’s New York City and Los Angeles producing programs or book a campus tour in New York City, Los Angeles, or South Beach (Miami).
Actress and Arizona native Alyssa Miller plays Cindy in the 2021 feature film Forgiven, now available to stream on Amazon. Starring Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Beverly Hills, 90210), Kristi Lawrence (Glass Walls, Fathers, Spur), and James Yaw (Glass Walls, Hippie Carpool, Mercy), the film follows the life of a child abuse survivor and her struggle with trauma. The feature drama, inspired by actual events, was written and directed by Jason Campbell.
Miller, an alum of the New York Film Academy’s (NYFA) 2-Year Acting for Film program, played roles in a series of features and short films following the completion of her studies. A scholarship winner from the International Models & Talent Agency, Miller traveled to New York City to study acting. Her scholarship with NYFA included the chance to learn under the tutelage of award-winning actor and NYFA Board Member Matthew Modinein in a one-on-one master class.
The alum spoke with NYFA in a recent Q&A to discuss her current role in Fathers (2022), other projects, and her craft.
Alyssa Miller, Actress & 2-Year Acting for Film NYFA program alum
A Conversation with Acting Alum Alyssa Miller
New York Film Academy (NYFA): Could you tell us about some of your recent films and projects?
Alyssa Miller (AM): I recently co-starred in two Dhar Mann Studios videos, “Teen MAKES FUN OF DEAF KID In School” and “DEAF GIRL Told She CAN’T SING” as one of the students and an ASL interpreter. Most recently, I played Samantha in the feature film Fathers (2022), directed by Nicholas Tutora, which is available to stream on Amazon. The film explores the struggles of two divorced men and an unmarried father while fighting for custody of their children. The film stars Nicolas Tutora, Kristi Lawrence, and Andrew Beasley.
I also play a role in a newly created feature film entitled Wander Woman, which will be doing festival runs in 2023. My recent local theater productions include “Newsies,” directed by Emma England, and “Where’s Sapphire Blue?” directed by Sonja Camille.
Alyssa Miller (right) on the set of Fathers (2022)
NYFA: Do you follow a process for scouting roles or working with an agent or manager?
AM: I review new audition postings on various Actors Access and Casting Networks pages daily. While I submit to as many as possible, I keep in mind all the requirements for each role.
My talent manager encourages me to self-submit to projects I see. At the same time, they submit to projects to which actors might not have direct access.
NYFA: What has been the biggest challenge for you in the industry as an actor?
AM: The biggest challenge has been finding a close-knit community where I can find support. While I’m still in touch with many of my NYFA friends, most of us live in different countries, which makes meeting a bit challenging. After moving to Los Angeles and residing here for eight months, I’ve realized how important finding a community is to your adjustment. I now feel like I’m finally starting to find my people.
NYFA: Have any of your projects featured in festivals or competitions?
AM: I was cast in two student films circulating in festivals now! One is entitled Elephant in the Car, and the other is Upside Down, both created by Huntington University students.
Alyssa Miller (right) on the set of Wander Woman (2023)
NYFA: Did you learn something at NYFA that you applied directly to your projects?
AM: So much! I learned how to break down a script, create a character, set etiquette, and set terminology. I also learned how to warm up my instrument and play during a scene.
I would not be where I am today without the wisdom shared with me by my NYFA instructors, and I constantly recall their words. Recently, I wrapped with the feature Wander Woman, which will make a festival run in 2023.
NYFA: Do you have advice you can share with incoming NYFA students?
AM: Do the work and have fun! Once you graduate, you will realize how precious your time as a student was because you had the opportunity to work on your craft with friends and peers daily. Don’t waste a minute of it.
NYFA congratulates Alyssa Miller on her recent work and successes! You can follow her on her Instagram account and check out her professional website for a resume, updated set photos, headshots, or information on how to contact her.
For the 95th Academy Awards in March 2023, Saudi Arabia nominated a coming-of-age comedy to represent the Kingdom. The feature film Raven Song (2023), directed and written by NYFA 1-Year Filmmaking program alum Mohamed Al Salman, is the country’s contender for ‘Best International Feature.’ The film stars Asem Alawad, Ibraheem Alkhairallah (Koora, Six Windows in the Desert, Comedians of the World), and Abdullah Aljafal (Stranger).
A Competitive Road Ahead for Raven Song (2023)
Raven Song follows Nasar, who reaches out to a mysterious, beautiful woman by singing a love song. The film was shot entirely in the Kingdom’s capital of Riyadh and produced by Ahmed Mousa and Telfaz 11. The film was selected by the Saudi Oscars committee, which includes Abdullah Al-Ayyaf (CEO of the Film Commission), poet Ahmed Al-Mulla, director and actress Ahed Kamel, producer Mohamed Al-Turki director Haifaa Al-Mansour (Head of Saudi Cinema Association), director Hana Al-Omair, and director Shahd Amin.
The film will enter the Academy Awards process, circulating through various screening stages before (hopefully) making it to a shortlist. The American Academy of Sciences and Arts will select the final list of films, and the winner will be presented at the Oscars.
Director and NYFA Filmmaking alum Mohamed Al Salman
In an Arab News article featuring Raven Song’s selection, director Mohammed Al Salman says, “I am very happy and proud that my first feature film, Raven Song, was chosen to represent my homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Al Salman’s selection is a source of great pride for the NYFA community as well. “Each year, nations around the world can only submit one film to the Oscars, so it is truly a tremendous honor for Mohamed and his team. I wish them all the best on the path to a nomination,” says Crickett Rumley, NYFA’s Senior Director of the Film Festival Department.
Raven Song and Mohamed Al Salman Found Success Before the Selection
The film was not only recognized by Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Academy Awards. Raven Song was among the winners of the Saudi Film Commission’s Daw Film Competition as a project. The Daw Film Competition fosters new Saudi filmmaking talent. According to a MIME article written by E. Nina Rothe, the imagery in Raven Song integrates themes from classical Khaliji storytellers with a contemporary narrative.
Director and NYFA Filmmaking Alum Mohamed Al Salman (left) on the set of Raven Song (2023); Image courtesy of MIME.com
The alum was sponsored by Aramco to study with NYFA in the 1-Year Filmmaking program in Los Angeles. Before his feature film, Al Salman made a series of short films, two of which–Curtain (2018) and 27th of Shaban (2019)–are available to stream on Netflix under the ‘Six Windows in the Desert’ collection.
The short film Curtain is the story of a female nurse who escapes traumatic events only to face judgment from those at her workplace. The other short film, 27th of Shaban , follows the story of Mohammed and Nouf after they meet for a date in the early 2000s, something that was strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
New York Film Academy wishes the best of luck to Mohamed Al Salman’s selection for the 2023 Academy Awards.
Please note: NYFA does not represent that these are typical or guaranteed career outcomes. The success of our graduates in any chosen professional pathway depends on multiple factors, and the achievements of NYFA alumni are the result of their hard work, perseverance, talent and circumstances.
New York Film Academy (NYFA) Executive Vice President for the China region, Dr. Joy Zhu, attended and juried for the 8th annual Asian World Film Festival (AWFF).
NYFA Executive Vice President for the China region Dr. Joy Zhu (above)
AWFF showcases the best in Asian cinema and filmmaking in Los Angeles, California. The Festival is unique because they do not accept submissions to screen at its event. The AWFF exhibits films selected to represent their country by The Academy and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. All exhibitions are by invitation only and include movies nominated for the Oscars and Golden Globes for “Best International Feature Film” and “Best Motion Picture” in the Foreign Language categories from the Asian continent.
In November 2022, film and television industry professionals, NYFA students, and alumni attended the Young Filmmaker Showcase (an AWFF Special Program). At the event, Dr. Joy Zhu gave an impassioned welcome speech.
At the AWFF awards ceremony in Maria Del Rey, California, Dr. Zhu discussed NYFA’s educational efforts to support the next generation of filmmakers to realize their talents. She highlighted the successes of NYFA’s Asian student population.
“In our eighth edition of AWFF, we exemplified our good fortune by screening eight examples of cinematic riches,” said Georges Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director.
Dr. Zhu attended the star-studded closing night of the Festival, whose attendees, presenters, and awardees included Desmond Chiam, Daniel Wu, Albert S. Ruddy, Lani Netter, Jennifer McCormick, Raghu Kilambi, Alan Vo, and Jenny Ai Trinh Thai, among others.
NYFA Executive Vice President for the China region Dr. Joy Zhu (third from left)
Ministries, embassies, and critical entertainment industry figures, including The Academy and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association members, support the Asian World Film Festival. The Festival welcomed VIP guests, including Angelina Jolie, Peter Chan, and Shannon Lee, in past years.
Over its eight years running, the Festival Advisory and Honorary Boards consisted of industry leaders and cultural representatives from around the world. Past cultural representatives and guests include Oscar-nominated producer Gil Netter (Life of Pi, The Blind Side), Oscar-winning screenwriter David Seidler (The King’s Speech), award-winning director Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild, Big Little Lies), award-winning director and writer Lulu Wang (The Farewell), producer Andre Morgan (Warlords, Cannonball Run) producer Tabrez Noorani (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion, Eat Pray Love), and actors Joan Chen, Lisa Lu, Tzi Ma, and Lucy Liu.
NYFA Screenwriting alum and Marvel Studios director of the Disney+ series Moon Knight, Mohamed Diab
Mohamed Diab’s Return to NYFA
In September 2022, Diab returned to Los Angeles to speak with his former screenwriting instructor Crickett Rumley and current MFA Filmmaking student Israa Al-Kamali. In front of a crowd of students and alumni, Rumley and Diab discussed his career, recent work, advice, and anecdotes to share with aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters who dream of the same success.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch Mohamed build his career through the years since he left NYFA. He is so devoted to his craft, and it shows in the ways that he captures the complexities of the human experience in his stories and inspires audiences to think beyond their everyday lives. We are so proud of him and can’t wait to see where his work goes next.”
– Crickett Rumley, Senior Director, New York Film Academy Film Festival Department.
Screening Diab’s 2016 Feature Film Clash
Earlier that month, Crickett Rumley, the Senior Director of NYFA’s Film Festival Department, hosted a screening of Diab’s 2016 feature film Clash. The film, which landed Diab the role of director on the Marvel Series Moon Knight, tells the story of pro- and anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators at a July 2013 protest of the ousting of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. After the protest, demonstrators from opposite sides are forced into the back of a police van together.
The film was an instant success, earning a 95% “certified fresh” and 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety magazine author Jay Weissberg describes the film as “bravura filmmaking with a kick-in-the-gut message about chaos and cruelty (with some humanity).” Weissberg continues, “Diab’s handling of the crowded interior is a notable achievement…the way he moves rioting mobs outside the wagon in a fury of relentless, mad movement seems to channel De Mille with its sweep and control.”
Award-Winning Films and Television Credits
In addition to Clash, Diab’s film and television credits include other well-known titles, including The Replacement (2009), Cairo 678 (2010), Tayea (2018), Renegades (2018), and Amira (2021). His works, known to international audiences as thought-provoking and purposeful, have earned Diab respect and recognition on the film festival circuit. His 2021 film Amira, which tells the story of a 17-year-old Palestinian girl conceived from the smuggled sperm of her imprisoned father, Nawar, won three awards at the Venice Film Festival. His films have screened as official selections among a host of world-renowned and prestigious festivals, including Cannes, BFI London, El Gouna, and Red Sea.
A Conversation with Mohamed Diab
Kicking off the Q&A, Diab began with a statement that would tug at the heartstrings of even the most hardened college administrator, saying, “I feel I’m back home.”
Crickett Rumley (left) with director Mohamed Diab (right)
“This place holds a dear place in my heart. I see my teachers here. I see Sonny Calderon. I was in his first class and am so proud of that.” Diab then enlightened the audience with his path from Egypt to Los Angeles, “When I got here, I had the syndrome of–I’m going to say–culturally defeated. I was in my country. I thought, like a lot of the generation right now–we don’t watch Arabic movies–it’s ‘beneath us,’ we only watch American movies. So after arriving, we were asked to write a full-length script, but I struggled with understanding the day-to-day in America. Every small nuance about the American character that I’m writing didn’t come easy to me.”
“I feel I’m back home.”
As a student, Diab recalled Crickett’s instruction to “write what you know,” and that’s what he did. “It wasn’t just my small experience of what I did to join [NYFA], but I felt like it was about who I am–understanding who you are. That’s the most important lesson I want to tell you guys. The line to make a film is so long, but to your own experience–who you are–your own voice isn’t long.”
After discussing the success of other well-known international directors, Diab explained how he found his voice to realize the same dream. According to the director, “I was actually too politically active, but even though I’m not making any political movies right now, it’s not just about politics. Having an opinion and feeling strong about something is good.”
The conversation then pivoted to directing, a similar pivot that Diab made within his own career. He offered his perspective on what prompted him to switch focus, “Everyone sees things differently. So when I gave a director my project, he saw it his own way. So it wasn’t my voice. That was the first time I realized I needed to be a director. I never had the dream of being a director, but I discovered that’s not how I saw the film in my head.”
When Rumley asked Diab how he made the switch from low-budget, gritty dramas to a Marvel Studios series, Diab commented that “I discovered through Cairo 678 that I’m going to direct in the simplest way. It’s going to be a slice of life. Is what I have on screen right or wrong? Does it match life or not?” The NYFA alum then discussed his experience working with special effects and the studio’s expectation of him as the director. According to Diab, questions like “How are you going to direct action or green screen?” aren’t part of the conversation. That’s because “they have a system. You have someone beside you. All the big action sequences–you direct them beforehand.”
Audience Q&A Kicked Off with Cairo 678 and its Impact on Society
Once the conversation approached the Q&A, Diab reflected on his work’s impact on his life. With the alum’s recent successes on the festival circuit and his work with Marvel Studios, it would be easy to assume that Diab’s career has consisted of nothing but success. In actuality, Diab made headlines in Egypt for his early works–sometimes for controversial reasons.
Following the release of the Cairo 678 film trailer, the media accused Diab of exaggerating the subject. The film highlights sexual harassment in Egypt, a highly sensitive issue in the country at the time of its release. The director was accused of modifying the extent to which sexual harassment occurs in Egypt as a way to entice Western audiences. According to Diab, “Now 12 years later–Cairo 678 is seen as one of the things that happened. Laws have been changed. Everyone acknowledges this is a problem. I think Cairo 678 was one of the reasons we started the conversation.”
MFA Filmmaking Student Israa Al-Kamali (left) with Crickett Rumley (middle) and Mohamed Diab (right)
Following the rocky media attention to Cairo 678, Diab went on to begin his project Clash. In 2011 the world was captivated by the Egyptian revolution, which resulted in the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak. As an activist in the revolution, Diab was blacklisted. The result was a permanent move to the US. According to Diab, “I knew that there was a chance I couldn’t make Clash. And actually, after Clash, I could no longer work in Egypt. That’s why I left and came to the United States. I knew that there was a chance the government was going to stop me from making it, so I had a version of the film that I could make in my house.” Rumley then asked the alum how he dealt with the backlash and blacklist. In an honest reply, Diab said, “I sat on the couch and cried. I try to reason with it, but sometimes I can’t. I am the guy who has had the most backlashes in the Middle East. For every film, I was demonized in the Middle East. I was like, what is happening? Are they watching the same movie I just made?”
When the forum opened up to the students, one of the audience members asked Diab what his greatest challenge was when making Moon Knight or Clash. Diab responded that “every film had its own fight. The first film I ever made was to convince people that I’m not just a successful writer, but I’m a good director too. That was a challenge. I’m the hardest person on myself.” The director added, “it’s hard on my family, it’s hard on me financially, but I like to have those high standards. I need to make something better than my previous film.”
“You have to have your own interpretation. It’s never a life without your own interpretation.”
In one of the final questions, an audience member asked Diab, “What were the challenges you faced in presenting your authentic voice inside the prewritten world of Marvel?” To which Diab responded, “First of all, we’re lucky that we are in this time. Five years ago, when I pitched ideas, my partners pushed me to find an American writer. They insisted it was the only way the project would get made. When the American writer wrote it, it definitely felt like an American person writing an Eastern story. We sold it to Amazon, and it was canceled right away.”
In an incredible continuation of the story that highlighted Diab’s emphasis on using your own voice, he continued, “Inside of me, I was sad this happened, but I realized it wasn’t an authentic story.” When Marvel approached him about Moon Knight, Diab said, “That was my secret card. This is Egyptian. They understood me, and that was one of the reasons I was there, and they did it with the utmost respect –I was definitely the Egyptian police.”
Closing out the Q&A portion, a student stood up and asked the NYFA alum the final question of the evening, “What if your actor feels differently from the way you interpret an action?” Diab graciously responded, “You have to have your own interpretation. It’s never a life without your own interpretation.”
Catch the full Q&A with Crickett Rumley and Mohamed Diab below:
Please note: NYFA does not represent that these are typical or guaranteed career outcomes. The success of our graduates in any chosen professional pathway depends on multiple factors, and the achievements of NYFA alumni are the result of their hard work, perseverance, talent and circumstances.
The 8th annual Nordic International Film Festival (NIFF), founded by New York Film Academy (NYFA) alumni Johan Matton and Linnea Larsdotter (Mikkelä), ran from Wednesday, November 16th through Sunday, November 20th, concluding with an awards ceremony held at Fotografiska. The festival included a variety of captivating short and feature films, including the winner of the prestigious Aurora Borealis Prize, Unity of Opposites, the short film Adieu, the feature-length film An Eternity of You and Me, and the documentary short The Militiamen, among others.
Aurora Borealis Prize Winner, Unity of Opposites
Unity of Opposites, directed, produced, and written by Alfred Hedbratt, is a short Swedish film about childhood friends on a camping trip. One friend invites a new friend along, which leads to discomfort and awkwardness amongst the group. The film screened at Scandinavia House and was one of many Swedish films at the festival. Short films The Maw, directed by Patrik Eriksson, and The Diamond, directed by Vedran Rupic, were also nominated in the category.
NYFA & NIFF’s Partnership
The event marked NYFA’s 4th consecutive partnership with the festival’s committee. In addition to the Aurora Borealis award, Hedbratt won a 4-week workshop scholarship for a discipline of their choosing. With two of NYFA’s alumni at the helm of the festival, NYFA supports the event, which aims to elevate films shot in Nordic countries and promote equality in film.
Before founding the festival in 2015, Larsdotter completed NYFA’s 2-Year Musical Theatre program, and Matton completed the 2-Year Acting for Film program at the NYFA New York campus.
Nordic International Film Festival 2022: Highlights
This year’s festival included screenings, a new Festival Village at Fotografiska, and a filmmaker lounge at Scandinavia House. This year, festival attendees were encouraged to follow visual and performance artists serving as NIFF’s ‘Artists in Residence’ at the Ace Hotel.
Artists in residence included filmmaker Brandon Brown (Renewal in Sunset Park, 2017, Lives of Bernard Herrmann, 2023), VR content creator Samantha Quick (Lutaw, 2019, Dreams of the Jaguar’s Daughter, 2019), writer and actor Corey Camperchioli, (Femme, 2018, Ecstasy & Agony, 2019), as well as NYFA Musical Theatre alumni Haley Rice. Rice graduated from NYFA’s 2-Year Musical Theatre Certificate program and is known for her original play LOU.
Participants could stream online the short narrative film, Hold Me Down through the NIFF website. Based on true events, the film is set in the Bronx, NYC.
A scene from Aurora Borealis Prize Winner Unity of Opposites
Festival Winners
Nordic International Film Festival 2022 winners include:
Best Nordic Feature – Beautiful Beings Best International Feature – Fucking Bornholm Best Documentary Feature – Historjá – Stitches for Sápmi Best Nordic Short – The Dinner Best International Short – Like You Best Documentary Short – The Militiaman Honorable Mention – Haulout Best Director – Sanne This, An Eternity of You and Me Best Cinematography – Jonas Rudström, Hans-Olof Utsi, Historjá – Stitches for Sápmi Best Lead Actor – Søren Malling, The Dinner Best Supporting Actor – Gisela Swarting, Double Cheese
Overall, the festival was a sweeping success, with films from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and the United States. NYFA congratulates alumni Johan and Linnea for their continued success in this latest edition of the Nordic International Film Festival.
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NYFA Screenwriting alum and Marvel Studios director of the Disney+ series Moon Knight, Mohamed Diab
Crickett Rumley (left) with director Mohamed Diab (right)
MFA Filmmaking Student Israa Al-Kamali (left) with Crickett Rumley (middle) and Mohamed Diab (right)
