New York Film Academy New York Campus

The New York Film Academy was founded by veteran producer Jerry Sherlock in 1992, who produced such classics as "The Hunt for the Red October". Encouraged by friends of his who wanted to send their children to film school, but found the prices too costly, Sherlock designed a school that was not only affordable but more importantly, was founded on the principle of learning by doing.

Inspired by the idea that to learn how to make movies, one must actually make movies, Sherlock and his colleagues designed a truly unique curriculum. Blending a mixture of traditional film school instruction with a new approach, the Academy emphasizes coursework based around students actually going out and shooting films as part of their coursework. Students write, produce, direct, and edit their own original films while also serving as crewmembers on their fellow classmates’ films to gain extensive on-set experience.

This commitment to learning by doing applies to all of the programs the Academy now offers, with students working with industry standard equipment in world-class facilities. At the Academy, students can choose from a wide range of visual and performing arts programs that includes Filmmaking, Acting for Film, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Broadcast Journalism, Cinematography, Digital Editing, Documentary Filmmaking, Game Design, Graphic Design, Musical Theatre, Photography, Producing, and Screenwriting.

The New York Film Academy is expanding its curriculum as well as its global presence, with five established campuses and many destination programs worldwide. At NYFA campuses in New York City, Los Angeles and South Beach, Miami, campuses students can earn their degree, while at NYFA Gold Coast, Australia, students can immerse themselves in long- and short-term conservatory programs and workshops.

NYFA New York City Campus
By volume alone, New York is indisputably the greatest center of independent film production in the world. The city is the iconic location for thousands of great films like The Godfather, West Side Story, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and acclaimed television series like Law & Order, Mad Men, Girls, and 30 Rock. Like so many other filmmakers, novelists, and playwrights, our students find that New York helps shape their artistic vision. The city is not only a setting for their stories, but also an active element in the lives of their characters. All told, New York City--dynamic, diverse, and always alive--is the perfect training ground for filmmaking and the related arts. The city will challenge and stimulate you on every shoot, every step of the way.

Our New York campus overlooks the Statue of Liberty at the southern tip of Manhattan, in the historic Financial District. A short walk north takes you into Tribeca, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, Tribeca, Little Italy, or SoHo. Harlem, or Coney Island, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge are all a short train ride away. Our extensive facilities provide a haven from the hustle and bustle, and at the same time, give you a springboard from which to dive straight into the thick of the city's life.

Our New York Housing Coordinator assists students in finding safe and convenient accommodations in New York City.

Student Residence
For students who would like to live in a dormitory type facility, the New York Film Academy offers double room accommodations and a very limited number of single rooms. Room amenities include private bathroom, refrigerator, microwave, WiFi, cable television, room to study, and plenty of storage. These accommodations are a brief subway ride to the NYFA campus. Student resident housing fees are based on the length of their program, and average approximately $1800 a month per person. Please be aware that a refundable deposit is required to reserve a bed at the residence. Daily tours are given at the residence seven days a week. Please contact [email protected] for more housing and tour information.

Apartment Living
Our Housing Coordinator can assist students in finding other housing options such as a furnished shared apartment. The average cost for a furnished shared apartment in the New York City area generally range from $1000 - $2500/month per person. Furnished studio apartments can start at $2200/month. It is possible to find less expensive options at a longer commute from our campus. Students interested in apartment stays should plan to arrive a week or two early to visit places in person.

Students work with industry-standard equipment in world-class facilities as part of the learning experience at the academy. Students of all levels can address their long and short-term academic needs in a supportive and comfortable setting through the Academic Support Center at NYFA-LA, which provides learning support services and referrals. Individual tutoring in most academic topics, including English as a second language, as well as skill-specific coaching to assist students to establish and improve their study habits and writing techniques, is given on a regular basis.

The campus film library is a vital resource of the Academic Support Center. It is designed to provide students with access to independent study and guided research and improve their understanding of the art and history of visual storytelling. Students' instructional needs are met by the library, which provides a multi-media environment in which any student can participate in independent study in order to improve students' grasp of filmmaking and the fine arts, and hence the quality of their work.

Shaquille O'Neal (basketball player and actor), Gauri Shinde (Director), Hannah Quinlivan (Actress and Model), Kangana Ranaut (Actress), Luv Ranjan (Producer/Screenwriter/Director), Rekha Rana (Actress), Sharad Malhotra (Actor), Shirley Setia (Singer/Actress), Tushar Tyagi (Director), Kushal Tandon (model and actor), Athiya Shetty (actress), Imran Khan (actor), Rob Margolies (writer and director), Alanna Masterson (actress), Trevor Matthews (producer and actor) are among the popular personalities who graduated from the New York Film Academy.