Manuel Velasquez

NYFA / ALUMNI / CINEMATOGRAPHY / MANUEL VELASQUEZ

Manuel Velasquez, ADFC

Manuel Velasquez, ADFC

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Graduated from NYFA LA Campus in 2016

Manuel Velásquez, ADFC, is a Colombian cinematographer with over a decade of experience in narrative films, commercials, and music videos. Velásquez is a member of the Colombian Society of Cinematographers (ADFC) and currently serves as its treasurer.

His feature film credits include Un Regalo Esencial (2018), which premiered in IMAX and is available on Amazon, and Somos Ecos (2022). Notable short films include A Scream That’s Trapped Inside (2017), which received multiple awards, and Deserted (2018), recognized for its cinematography. His recent work, SED (2024), was an official selection at the 2025 Chicago Film Festival. Velásquez has also shot commercials for brands like L’Oréal Paris, Baileys, and DirectTV.

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MFA Cinematography Graduate Manuel Velasquez Signed by Pipeline Entertainment, Secures First Feature Film

MFA Cinematography Graduate Manuel Velasquez Signed by Pipeline Entertainment, Secures First Feature Film

New York Film Academy (NYFA) is proud to congratulate cinematographer & recent graduate Manuel Velasquez (Spring ’16 MFA Cinematography) on signing with Pipeline Entertainment, a New York-based agency representing both…

Mitesh Mirchandani

NYFA / ALUMNI / CINEMATOGRAPHY / MITESH MIRCHANDANI

Mitesh Mirchandani, ISC

Mitesh Mirchandani, ISC

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Graduated from NYFA LA Campus in 2010

Mitesh Mirchandani is an Indian cinematographer and filmmaker known for his work on films such as Neerja (2016), Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), and Bawaal (2023).

Mirchandani’s innovative approach in Neerja earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography in 2016. His cinematographic expertise extends to various films, including Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012), Lootera (2013), and the anthology Lust Stories (2018), where he contributed to the segment directed by Karan Johar.
In addition to feature films, Mirchandani has an extensive portfolio in advertising, having shot commercials for brands like Samsung, Amazon Prime, and Chopard. His recent work includes the film Bawaal (2023), directed by Nitesh Tiwari and released on Amazon Prime Video.

Mitesh is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers.

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Prominent fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar featured two New York Film Academy (NYFA) alumni following their work on a photoshoot and film. Arnav Kasbekar, a graduate of NYFA’s Filmmaking BFA program, collaborated…
NYFA Grad Cinematographer on ‘Neerja’

NYFA Grad Cinematographer on ‘Neerja’

Released in the US over the weekend, the Indian film Neerja has been receiving numerous praises for actress Sonam Kapoor’s portrayal of the life of the courageous Neerja Bhanot, who sacrificed…

Andrea Gavazzi

NYFA / ALUMNI / CINEMATOGRAPHY / ANDREA GAVAZZI

Andrea Gavazzi

Andrea Gavazzi

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Graduated from NYFA NYC Campus in 2015

Andrea Gavazzi is an Italian–Brazilian cinematographer. His credits include serving as director of photography on the 2025 Academy Award–nominated live-action short A Lien, which premiered at festivals around the world.

He also shot A King, the Sundance-shortlisted Susana, and the feature documentary Sandra Winther (executive produced by Darren Aronofsky) His vibrant music‑video work includes collaborations with Charli XCX (Used to Know Me), Diplo feat. Johnny Blue Skies & Dove Cameron (Use Me), The Marias (If Only), and SiR’s award‑winning “KARMA” (which won Best Cinematography at the 2024 SHARK Awards)

On the commercial side, Gavazzi has shot high-profile campaigns for Nike (“Y2K”), Poppi (a Super Bowl spot), Samsung, ITA Airways, Reebok, Prada, and Audemars Piguet. His narrative and short‑film work spans Makai, Sabrina Carpenter: Skinny Dipping, and OneRepublic: Someday.

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Film Festival Successes of the New York Film Academy Community

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Each year, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) community–including our students, alumni, and faculty–find a great deal of success on the film festival circuit, including fests around the globe like…
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Janek Ambros, MFA Producing Alum, Produces Festival Hits ‘Ukrainians in Exile’ and ‘Monica’

UPDATE: In May 2023, the Los Angeles-based filmmaker and NYFA alum received the ‘Auteur Filmmaker Award’ at the Roots of Europe International Film Festival. The festival screened Ambros’ films Son…
NYFA ALUM MOHAMED AL SALMAN’S FEATURE ‘RAVEN SONG’ IS SAUDI ARABIA’S PICK FOR 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS

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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…
NYFA WELCOMES SCREENWRITING ALUM AND MARVEL STUDIOS DIRECTOR MOHAMED DIAB TO LOS ANGELES FOR Q&A

NYFA WELCOMES SCREENWRITING ALUM AND MARVEL STUDIOS DIRECTOR MOHAMED DIAB TO LOS ANGELES FOR Q&A

Years ago, Mohamed Diab was a 1-Year Screenwriting program student studying at the NYFA Los Angeles campus. Today, he is the lead director and executive producer of Marvel Studios’ Emmy Award-winning series Moon Knight, available to…
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One Million YouTube Subscribers and ‘The Swipe Life’ with NYFA Acting Alum Charlotte Dobre

You’ve probably heard of the name Charlotte Dobre from the popular YouTube channel of the same name that features hundreds of videos where she reacts to current events and social media posts in ways…
Peacock Original ‘Hell of a Cruise’ Produced by NYFA Alum Mehdi Darlis

Peacock Original ‘Hell of a Cruise’ Produced by NYFA Alum Mehdi Darlis

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Q&A with MFA Producing Alum Paul Hutchens About the Documentary Series ‘Life After’

Q&A with MFA Producing Alum Paul Hutchens About the Documentary Series ‘Life After’

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NYFA ALUM EVE HEWSON GOES IN FOR THE KILL IN BAD SISTERS

NYFA ALUM EVE HEWSON GOES IN FOR THE KILL IN BAD SISTERS

Since graduating from New York Film Academy (NYFA), Acting for Film alum Eve Hewson has been making a name for herself in the world of TV and film. Hewson has appeared with Sean Penn…
A Conversation with 1-Year Filmmaking Conservatory Alum & Director Florian Gunzenhauser

A Conversation with 1-Year Filmmaking Conservatory Alum & Director Florian Gunzenhauser

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NYFA Alum Nathan Hale: Cinema as a Vehicle for Advocacy

NYFA Alum Nathan Hale: Cinema as a Vehicle for Advocacy

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Abhinay Pandit

NYFA / ALUMNI / CINEMATOGRAPHY / ABHINAY PANDIT

Abhinay Pandit

Abhinay Pandit

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Graduated from NYFA LA Campus in 2022

Abhinay Pandit, is an Indian cinematographer. Abhinay gained recognition with the Best Film Award at IFFI GOA 2023 for “ODH,” which also had its screening at the 18th MIFF 2024 and the 26th UK Asian Film Festival 2024, and “Big Dawgs” Music Video, which received tremendous positive feedback worldwide and has gone viral on the internet, even reaching the top of the charts on Spotify also been featured by EyeCandy, Noah Centino, DJ Akademiks, Project Pat, and many other international artists and pages. Abhinay’s recent collaborations include a Netflix promo for Salman Khan’s film Sikandar, and a powerful tribute to Punjabi music for Coke Studio Bharat.Notably, he was selected as one of the 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow by National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC).

Brands and collaborations include: Beats, Adidas, Puma, Netflix, NBA India, Mahindra, Swiggy, John Legend, AR Rahman, Salman Khan, Hanumankind, Divine, Diljeet Dosanjh, Raftaar, Badshah, Aislinn Paul, Dirty Magazine, Beyond Noise, Zudio, Tira Beauty, Renee Cosmetics, Damensch, and many more.

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Janek Ambros, MFA Producing Alum, Produces Festival Hits ‘Ukrainians in Exile’ and ‘Monica’

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NYFA ALUM MOHAMED AL SALMAN’S FEATURE ‘RAVEN SONG’ IS SAUDI ARABIA’S PICK FOR 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS

NYFA ALUM MOHAMED AL SALMAN’S FEATURE ‘RAVEN SONG’ IS SAUDI ARABIA’S PICK FOR 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS

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NYFA WELCOMES SCREENWRITING ALUM AND MARVEL STUDIOS DIRECTOR MOHAMED DIAB TO LOS ANGELES FOR Q&A

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One Million YouTube Subscribers and ‘The Swipe Life’ with NYFA Acting Alum Charlotte Dobre

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Peacock Original ‘Hell of a Cruise’ Produced by NYFA Alum Mehdi Darlis

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Q&A with MFA Producing Alum Paul Hutchens About the Documentary Series ‘Life After’

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NYFA ALUM EVE HEWSON GOES IN FOR THE KILL IN BAD SISTERS

NYFA ALUM EVE HEWSON GOES IN FOR THE KILL IN BAD SISTERS

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A Conversation with 1-Year Filmmaking Conservatory Alum & Director Florian Gunzenhauser

A Conversation with 1-Year Filmmaking Conservatory Alum & Director Florian Gunzenhauser

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NYFA Alum Nathan Hale: Cinema as a Vehicle for Advocacy

NYFA Alum Nathan Hale: Cinema as a Vehicle for Advocacy

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Rebecca Rajadnya

NYFA / ALUMNI / CINEMATOGRAPHY / REBECCA RAJADNYA

Rebecca Rajadnya

Rebecca Rajadnya

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Graduated from NYFA NYC Campus in 2010

Rebecca Rajadnya is a cinematographer and camera specialist. A member of the International Cinematographers Guild, she has worked as First Assistant Camera and Camera Operator on several high-profile projects. Her film work includes serving as B Camera Operator and 2nd Unit Director of Photography on Huntington, starring Glen Powell and Topher Grace. She was also the B Camera Operator on Happy Gilmore 2 and Wolfs, featuring Brad Pitt.

She was the First AC for the entire first season of Netflix’s acclaimed series Russian Doll and worked on Doctor Death. In 2017, she served as First Assistant Camera on 11 episodes of the Comedy Central hit Broad City, produced by Amy Poehler. As a B Camera Operator, she has contributed to prominent productions such as Disney+’s Dying for Sex, Amazon Prime’s Mr & Mrs Smith, and Dead Ringers.

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New York Film Academy Instructor Bob Eisenhardt & NYFA Community Win Big At 2019 Creative Arts Emmys

New York Film Academy Instructor Bob Eisenhardt & NYFA Community Win Big At 2019 Creative Arts Emmys

The New York Film Academy (NYFA) community came away with numerous statuettes this weekend at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including NYFA Documentary Filmmaking instructor Bob Eisenhardt’s Outstanding Achievement…
New York Film Academy (NYFA) Community Earns Several Emmy Award Nominations

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Community Earns Several Emmy Award Nominations

New York Film Academy (NYFA) was excited once again to see the NYFA Community represented in this year’s nominations for the 71st Emmy Awards. The awards ceremony will be aired…
‘Broad City’ and ‘Russian Doll’ Both Feature Work from New York Film Academy (NYFA) Cinematography Alum Rebecca Rajadnya

‘Broad City’ and ‘Russian Doll’ Both Feature Work from New York Film Academy (NYFA) Cinematography Alum Rebecca Rajadnya

What do Comedy Central’s smash hit Broad City and Netflix’s bloody comedy-drama Russian Doll have in common? Both feature camerawork from Rebecca Rajadnya, New York Film Academy (NYFA) Cinematography alum. Since…

Ilda Mason

NYFA / ALUMNI / MUSICAL THEATRE / ILDA MASON

Ilda Mason

Ilda Mason

ACTRESS | SINGER | DANCER
Graduated from NYFA NYC Campus in 2015

Ilda Mason is a Panamanian actor, singer, and dancer most known for her role as Luz, in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation and the remake of West Side Story.

She began her acting career in productions including Evita, Peter Pan, The Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, Legally Blonde, Gloria Estefan’s On Your Feet! and toured nationally for the stage production of Cinderella as a member of the ensemble.

She was a professional dancer on Panama’s Dancing with the Stars for two seasons and has performed in Ivo van Hove’s adaption of West Side Story on Broadway. She has also performed in two other productions of West Side Story: one at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, and the second one at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. Mason played the role of Francisca in one, Estella in the other, and understudied Rosalia in both. She is also appearing in the Tony Award-winning Evita.

Ilda Mason Alum Work

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Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre (PCMT at NYFA) alum Ilda Mason will soon be making her Broadway debut in the upcoming stage revival of West Side Story. Mason is no…
New York Film Academy (NYFA) Musical Theatre Alum Ilda Mason Cast in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’

New York Film Academy (NYFA) Musical Theatre Alum Ilda Mason Cast in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’

The production of Steven Spielberg’s high-profile Hollywood remake of West Side Story has announced the casting of New York Film Academy (NYFA) Musical Theatre Alum Ilda Mason. Mason will be…
From “Carousel” to China: The World of NYFA Musical Theatre Alumna Ilda Mason

From “Carousel” to China: The World of NYFA Musical Theatre Alumna Ilda Mason

NYFA Musical Theatre alumna Ilda Mason is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of life as a working actress in New York City. Since graduating from NYFA, she has…
Musical Theatre Alumna Ilda Mason to Tour in “Cinderella”

Musical Theatre Alumna Ilda Mason to Tour in “Cinderella”

After being in her high school performance of “Grease,” New York Film Academy Musical Theatre alumna Ilda Mason knew she wanted a career in musical theatre. Since graduating from NYFA,…

Pierre Marais

NYFA / ALUMNI / MUSICAL THEATRE / PIERRE MARAIS

Pierre Marais

Pierre Marais

ACTOR
Graduated from NYFA NYC Campus in 2013

Pierre Marais is an actor best known for the Broadway production of Aladdin at New Amsterdam Theatre. He also performed as the principal understudy for Aladdin in the national tour. Other notable credits include, lead singer for Dancing Queen, and West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever and Rock of Ages.

In 2022, Marais wrote and directed As Apple Pie, a narrative short film about an immigrant’s observation of an American conversation starring fellow NYFA alum Ilda Mason.

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New York Film Academy (NYFA) Musical Theatre Alum Pierre Marais Tours Nation with ‘Aladdin’

South African actor and New York Film Academy (NYFA) Musical Theatre alum Pierre Marais has been cast in the national tour of the hit Disney Broadway musical Aladdin. Marais is…
Musical Theatre Alumnus Pierre Marais to Perform in Baayork Lee’s “A Chorus Line,” “Dancing Queen” and “West Side Story”

Musical Theatre Alumnus Pierre Marais to Perform in Baayork Lee’s “A Chorus Line,” “Dancing Queen” and “West Side Story”

Pierre Marais comes from a family of circus performing trapeze artists from Ringling Brothers’ Barnum and Bailey, who were undoubtedly influential towards his aspirations to perform in his own way….

Jeff Sullivan

NYFA / ALUMNI / MUSICAL THEATRE / JEFF SULLIVAN

Jeff Sullivan

Jeff Sullivan

ACTOR
Graduated from NYFA NYC Campus in 2013

Jeff Sullivan is an actor best known for starring in the national tour of the Broadway hit musical, Finding Neverland, where he played the lead role, the real-life author of the Peter Pan novels, J.M. Barrie.

Jeff performed as a swing dancer in the national tour of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical. He also performed as Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls, and Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees. In addition to a slew of regional theatre credits under his belt, Jeff also performed in the international tour of West Side Story as a swing and standby for Tony and Riff, as well as in the international tour of Beauty and the Beast, The Producers, and Cats.

Jeff Sullivan Alum Work

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NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY MUSICAL THEATRE ALUM JEFF SULLIVAN STARRING IN NATIONAL TOUR OF <em>FINDING NEVERLAND</em>“>
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NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY MUSICAL THEATRE ALUM JEFF SULLIVAN STARRING IN NATIONAL TOUR OF FINDING NEVERLAND

The Professional Conservatory at New York Film Academy (PCMT at NYFA) alum Jeff Sullivan has a new happy thought he can use if he ever needs to fly to Neverland — he’s…
Musical Theatre Kicks off 2014 with a Bang

Musical Theatre Kicks off 2014 with a Bang

It is a crisp chilly day in New York and things are definitely heating up within the Musical Theatre Program. We completed a very well attended and expertly presented first…

Miisha Shimizu

NYFA / ALUMNI / MUSICAL THEATRE / MIISHA SHIMIZU

Miisha Shimizu

Miisha Shimizu

ACTRESS | SINGER
Graduated from NYFA NYC Campus in 2020

Miisha Shimizu is a Japanese soloist. Her most notable credits include voicing Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) in the Japanese dubbing of the films Wicked and Wicked: For Good, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Coincidentally, In May 2016, Shimizu participated in an audition for popular American singer Ariana Grande’s visit to Japan under the name Ray, representing the Nagoya region, and was selected for the Judges’ Special Prize. She is sometimes referred to as the “Ariana Grande of Mie” because of the similarity of her voice quality in the upper register.

Her first role in musicals was the role of Mamiya in Fist of the North Star. After that she starred in more musicals such as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice the Musical, Erina Pendleton in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood and Éponine in Les Misérables. Miisha was also cast in the Walt Disney global, year-long event Ultimate Princess Celebration, in which she sang the Japanese version of “Starting Now” and translated the lyrics into Japanese.

She made her debut with Virgin Music with the single “High Five”. Her other singles include: “Niji”, “Home”, “Style” and “Sugar”. The single “Home” was chosen as Song of the Month by CBC Radio, Power Play in June 2023. The single “Sugar” was featured as the theme song for TX drama Patisserie MON.

Miisha Shimizu Alum Work

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NYFA Musical Theatre Alum, Miisha Shimizu, Sings for Disney Japan

NYFA Musical Theatre Alum, Miisha Shimizu, Sings for Disney Japan

Many moons ago, actors made the long-awaited move to New York City right after graduating from conservatories, BFA or MFA programs out of necessity. They’d settle into the pace of…