The New York Film Academy is noted for its hands-on philosophy, where students learn by doing.
At the same we know how inspiring it can be for our students to meet with and learn from celebrated industry professionals.
We have been privileged to welcome major directors, actors, producers, editors, screenwriters, and cinematographers to teach master classes and guest lectures. Here are some of the exceptional artists who have shared their knowledge with our students:
Melissa Leo - Actress
Melissa Leo of Lullaby, 21 Grams guest speaks at the New York Film Academy on her multi-award winning role in Frozen River.
Lou Diamond Phillips - Director/Actor
Pre-Screening of 'Love Takes Wing' and Q & A with Lou Diamond Philips
Glenn Close - Actress
Q & A with Glenn Close at New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi
Mira Nair - Director
Mira Nair, director of Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala & Salaam BombayVISITS OUR SCHOOL IN ABU DHABI AND HOLDS MASTER CLASSES FOR OUR STUDENTS
David Hasselhoff - Actor
David Hasselhoff, "the Hoff" (as he is known to fans) graciously poses for photographs and speaks to the students at New York Film Academy in Abu Dhabi.
NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY GOES TO MOSCOW
The New York Film Academy Open House in Moscow with Paul Brown as a special guest, took place at the American Educational Center, also attracted much attention. Besides, 2 master-classes were arranged for private high school students and an Alumni Association of the New York Film Academy Russian Students was opened.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Kay Schaber Wolf - Independent Film Executive
Kay Schaber Wolf (Independent Film Executive at WGA west) speaks to NYFA 2nd Year & MFA Screenwriters at the WGA headquarters in Hollywood.
Bob Fisher - Screenwriter
Bob Fisher (writer of "Wedding Crashers" and "Married with Children") speaks to 2nd year and MFA Screenwriters at Universal Studios.
Meg Liberman - Casting Director
Q&A with Meg Liberman, Senior Vice President of Casting for CBS Paramount
Network TV.
Meg Liberman has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards, winning for the HBO
miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" in 1998, and with "Band of Brothers"
in 2002. Some of her credits include: Life on Mars, Pushing Daisies, 4400,
Medium, Swingtown, King of Queens,
Ted Hope - Producer
Q & A with Ted Hope, producer was held at New York City Campus.
NYFA students got an overview of how films get made, financed, distributed from one of the best.
Mike Fenton - Casting Director Discussed the Casting Process with 2ND Year MFA Filmmakers, Producers and Actors.
The acclaimed casting director Mike Fenton (CHINATOWN, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, THE GODFATHER PART II, ET, BLADE RUNNER, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO's NEST and 200 others), discussed the casting process with 2nd year MFA filmmakers, Producers, and Actors.
Barbara De Fina - Producer Q&A with NYFA students
Barbara De Fina, world renowned producer and Martin Scorsese's long time producer/ collaborator, had a Q & A with New York Film Academy Students after the screening of film clips.
Mark Harris - Producer
Julie Lott Gallo, producer of "Local Color", interviewed Mark Harris, Producer of "Crash", after a screening of "Crash" for New York Film Academy students.
George Gallo - Writer, Director Q&A with NYFA students about film, "Local Color"
Leonard Maltin, film critic for Entertainment Tonight since 1982, interviewed Writer, Director George Gallo and Producer Julie Lott Gallo after the screening of their film "Local Color". After the
interview, New York Film Academy students had a Q & A with them.
Paul Schrader - Director & Writer Q&A with NYFA students in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Visited the Film Academy's Abu Dhabi, UAE campus and held us spell-bound with his master classes in Screenwriting and New Media. He also screened his films Mishima and his new film Adam Resurrected to our students followed by extensive Q&A sessions.
Nanette Burstein - Director & Producer Q&A period with NYFA students about film, "AMERICAN TEEN"
Paramount Vantage recently screened the Sundance award-winning documentary AMERICAN TEEN for our students at the New York Film Academy. The film follows the lives of five teenagers- a jock, a popular girl, a heartthrob, an artsy girl and a geek – in one small town in Indiana through their senior year of high school. We see the insecurities, the cliques, the jealousies, the first loves and heartbreaks, and the struggle to make profound decisions about the future.
It's in part funny, in part sad, and wholly unforgettable. The use of animation within the context of the documentary to exemplify the inner lives of the characters was applauded by all the students and nothing
short of brilliant. Director Nanette Burstein and producer Jordan Roberts participated in a Q&A with our students after the screening and the students were very engaged, making for a very interesting discussion.
H.H. Cooper - Director
H.H. Cooper stopped by to share his insights about working with filmmakers Jonathan Demme, Robert DeNiro, Charlie Kaufman, Spike Lee, Penny Marshall, and Wong Kar Wai, as well as actors Drew Barrymore, Matt Damon, Hilary Swank, and many other A List directors and actors over the years. He's currently producing a documentary with Oscar award winning director Jonathan Demme about Bob Marley. When asked what advice he had young directors and producers, he said "Make movies. Just make movies." It was inspiring in its simplicity.
Glen Hansard - Irish singer On December 29
Q&A period with NYFA students about film, life, love, and "Once"
The acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard had one big dream. And that was to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. But he never imagined he'd be singing at the 2008 Academy Awards. Not only did the Irish film star and musician of the movie "Once" play Los Angeles' Kodak Theater with co-star Marketa Irglova, they won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Just the day before, the film won the 2008 Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and has won some 11 festival awards including the Sundance Film Festival. "Once" has been touted as the iconic musical for this generation. And the magic that has always been a part of Glen Hansard's fairy-tale life, from his humble beginnings as a a street performer to one of Ireland's most beloved musicians has spilled over to the film. As Glen said in his acceptance speech, "We shot on two Handycams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people...make art. make art. "Marketa added, "This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, (Oscar) it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible."
ROGER GUENVEUR SMITH- WRITER/ACTOR
January 19, 2008
Q&A and screening of “A. Huey P. Newton Story” with Roger Guenveur Smith
A special screening of A Huey P. Newton Story with Writer Actor Roger Guenveur Smith (“American Gangster”, “K Street”, “Do The Right Thing”, “Malcolm X”, “School Daze”, “Get On The Bus”). STEPHANE SEDNAOUI - PHOTOGRAPHER AND MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR
December 10th, 2007
Photographer and Music video director Stephane Sednaoui spoke with Academy students about the release of his works on the music video series including Spike Jonze, jonathan Glazer and Mark Romanek. His music videos includes works with bjork, Red hot Chili Peppers, Massive Attack and Lou Reed. CHRIS LANDON - SCREENWRITER
July 9th, 2007
Q&A with Chris Landon
Award winning screenwriter, Chris Landon (Disturbia), son of
legendary actor, Michael Landon, speaks to packed room of students on
his
career and accoomplishments."
A.C. LYLES - PRODUCER
April 20 th, 2007
Q&A with A.C. Lyles
A.C. Lyles with New York Film Academy Producing instructor Russell Gray. A.C Lyles
spent 3 hours at the New York Film Academy inspiring students and staff by and discussing
his life and career in Hollywood.
A.C. Lyles speaks with students outside the New York Film Academy after his special lecture on campus. Once a famous producer of Western movies, A.C. Lyles has worked at Paramount Studios for almost 80 years, has a star on the Hollywood Blvd walk of fame, and an office building on the Paramount lot named after him.
DIANE NEAL - ACTRESS
April 5, 2007
Q&A with Diane Neal
star of Law and Order SVU, and recent graduate of New York Film Academy
"I expected a lot and the course exceeded my expectations."
JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT - ACTOR
March 28, 2007
Q&A with Joseph Gordon-Levit
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt blessed the New York Film Academy with a couple hours during his busy schedule. To a packed screening room, Gordon-Levitt covered topics ranging from his Independent vs. Studio filmmaking, his training as an actor, all the way through to choosing scripts, realities of making money as an Actor to staying humble.
As we screened clips from his films, "Brick", "Mysterious Skin", the trailer for "the Lookout", and for the first time screened a clip from his website "Pictures of Assholes," in front of a crowd. To see a clip of the Q&A check out the YouTube link below.
STEVEN DE SOUSA - SCREENWRITER
Award winning writer Steven De Sousa spoke to New York Film Academy students on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2007.
March 22, 2007
Q&A with Steven De Sousa
Steven De Sousa's credits include: 48 Hours, Another 48 Hours, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, The Running Man, Knight Rider, Beverly Hills Cop III, Street Fighter, Die Hard 2
PAUL ZAENTZ - PRODUCER
March 13, 2007
Q&A with Paul Zaentz
Paul Zaentz's credits include: The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Unbearable Lightness of Being, At Play in the Fields of Lord, Goya's Ghost
LAWRENCE HILTON-JACOBS - ACTOR, TONY KRANTZ - PRODUCER
March 12, 2007
Q&A with Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs & Tony Krantz
Advanced Screening. Actor Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs ("Welcome Back," "Kotter," "Roots"), and Emmy Nominated Executive Producer Tony Krantz ("24," "Felicity," "Mulholland Drive") discuss their creative efforts on the Warner Brothers, thriller, "Sublime" with new York Film Academy students.
CHARLES MURRAY - SCREENWRITER
March 8, 2007
Q&A with Charles Murray
Q & A with screenwriter Charles Murray ("Third Watch,"City of Angels") after screening his Fox Searchlab short film, "Rain."
JAMES AVERY - ACTOR
February 13 , 2007
Q&A with James Avery
Actor James Avery with New York Film Academy Acting Instructor John Henry Richardson. James Avery spoke to a group of New York Film Academy students on his career and experiences.
TOM DICILLO - WRITER / DIRECTOR
Writer/Director Tom DiCillo with Michael Young, Provost of the New York Film Academy
January 17th, 2007
Q&A with Tom Dicillo
Writer/Director Tom DiCillo spoke with Academy students about the trials and tribulations of making independent films after screening his comic masterpiece, Living In Oblivion, which is about the trials and tribulations of making independent films.
KEVIN KLINE - ACTOR
Kevin Kline with Director Jerry Sherlock and Provost Michael Young
Kevin Kline with Provost Michael Young and Senior Director David Klein
December 18th, 2006
Q&A with Kevin Kline
Academy Award Winning Actor, Kevin Kline spoke with Film Academy students in New York City about the extraordinary collaboration that can occur between actors and directors. Kline described the thrill of working in his first film role in Sophie's Choice, where director Alan Pakula allowed him and co-star Meryl Streep to fully explore the characters and the drama of each scene without being constrained by preconceived lighting, or shot design.
JOHN SALLEY - FORMER NBA BASKETBALL PLAYER
Producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis and NYFA Los Angeles Director Dan Mackler on-set with basketball star John Salley. NYFA instructors and alumni crewed on a commercial for Fox TV's 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period.'
BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT - ACTOR/DIRECTOR Director Bobcat Goldthwait
October 16th, 2006
Screening of Sleeping Dog Lies followed by a Q&A with Director Bobcat Goldthwait
Amy is a seemingly normal young girl, adored by her parents and golden-boy fiancÈ. Her future looks bright until her fiance suggests they tell each other their darkest secrets things they have never told anyone. When Amy finally relents and reveals her secret, everything falls apart.
Bobcat Goldthwait has written and directed a story that adeptly explores honesty, family, forgiveness, and courage. By frankly probing our relationships and idealization of the absolute virtues of honesty, SLEEPING DOGS LIE is a funny and perceptive dark comedy.
GABRIEL BYRNE - ACTOR Gabriel Byrne with David Klein, Senior Director New York Film Academy
September 26th, 2006
Q&A with Gabriel Byrne
Gabriel Byrne (born May 12th, 1950) is an Irish actor. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, the first of six children born to devoutly Catholic parents ("mystical" is the term Byrne used to describe his father) and educated by the Irish Christian Brothers.
KAREN LUTZ & KIRSTIN SMITH - Writers
August 8th, 2006
Q&A and advanced screening of the movie "SHE'S THE MAN"
Karen McCullah Lutz co-wrote the hit movies Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon and 10 Things I Hate About You starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger. She currently has movie projects in development at Paramount, Miramax, Columbia , Dreamworks, Universal, New Line and Intermedia.
Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith: Best known as the screenwriter of such comedies as Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You and Ella Enchanted, Kiwi has a new movie out: "She's the Man" starring the brilliant young comedienne Amanda Bynes.
MARK AND JAY DUPLASS - FILMMAKERS
July 5th, 2006
Q&A and advanced screening of the movie "The Puffy Chair"
Where does the problem lie? Why are the the films that get the most attention the stupidest, most banal, most cliched ones? Why does America not appreciate it true cinematic artists? Is the problem the greed of distributors? Is it the stupidity of reviewers? Is it the timidity of viewers who only go to movies they have heard about, or ones that have movie stars in them, or ones that have a million dollar advertising budget? Or is it some combination of all of these factors?
JON VOIGHT - ACTOR
Jon Voight with David Klein, Senior Director New York Film Academy
May 31, 2006
Q&A with JON VOIGHT and screening of the making of "The legend of Simon Conjurer"
JON VOIGHT (Academy Award Winner and 4-time Oscar nominee) is still remembered for his role in the 1969 classic Midnight Cowboy, (which brought him his first Oscar nomination) and for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Luke Martin in Coming Home. In the nearly 40 years of his career, Jon has proven himself as both leading man and as one of Americas most versatile character actors.
Ten compulsive, dysfunctional misfits embark on a magical journey of self-discovery tutored by a mysterious teacher. This group represents the troubles often seen in society that most people will immediately identify with. The audience is taken on a journey with them as they confront difficult memories from their past.
Dr. Crazx, an eccentric 400 lb. prize-winning psychiatrist who has a profuse hatred for the teacher Simon Conjurer, believes Simon to be a charlatan playing with sick vulnerable minds for his own advantage; but perhaps Dr. Crazx is hiding an evil side that is much darker than the chocolate bars tucked into each of his pockets.
There is a love story as wellTheresa Elkwood, the Dean of the University where Simon is teaching, tries to protect Simon Conjurer while the adventures of the troupe eventually bring them face to face with a bizarre murder plot that everyone must help to solve. With each startling revelation, the picture twists and turns--surprise after surprise--until it arrives at its amazing conclusion.
DYLAN BAKER - ACTOR
April 20, 2006
Q&A with Dylan Baker
Actor - "Spider Man 2", "Spider Man 3", "Happiness", "Laramie Project", "Head of State"
RUSELL GERWITZ - SCREENWRITER OF INSIDE MAN April 11, 2006
Q&A with Screenwriter Russell Gewirtz of INSIDE MAN
Russell Gewirtz's "Inside Man" is his first script and is currently out in theaters nationwide. Directed by Spike Lee, the thriller stars Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster and Clive Owen.
MARY KAY PLACE
March 30 , 2006
Advance Screening of Lonesome Jim, film by Steve Buscemi Followed by a Q&A with MARY KAY PLACE
ARIC AVELINO - DIRECTOR AMERICAN GUN
March 15th, 2006
Q&A with Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden and Director Aric Avelino director of Oscar winner American Gun"
AMERICAN GUN is a powerful series of interwoven storylines that bring to light how the proliferation of guns in America dramatically influence and shape lives. A gun shop owner, an ace student, a single mother, and a school principal are among those profoundly affected.
KRYN KUSAMA - DIRECTOR OF AEON FLUX
PHIL HAY - WRITER OF AEON FLUX
MATT MANFREDI - WRITER OF AEON FLUX
December 14th, 2006
Q&A with director Karyn Kusama and writers, Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi for a screening of their new film “Aeon Flux”.
In this futuristic sci-fi thriller set 400 years in the future, Charlize Theron stars as Aeon Flux, the top underground operative at war with the totalitarian regime, governing what appears to be a perfect society.
MARK BAMFORD - DIRECTOR
DEBBIE BROWN - DIRECTOR
November 7th, 2005
Advanced screening of Cape of Good Hope follwed by Q&A with Director Mark Bamford (NYFA Alumus) and lead actress Debbie Brown
The new South Africa is revealed in Cape of Good Hope, a colorful and vibrant mosaic of love and hope.
MARK CHRISTOPHER - DIRECTOR
July 12, 2005
Advanced screening of Pizza and Q&A with Director Mark Christopher
PHILIPPE CALAND - DIRECTOR
March 21, 2005
Advanced screening of Hollywood Buddha and Q&A with Director Philippe Caland
A French producer based in Los Angeles, Philippe (Caland) is living in a tent under the skeleton.
ANASTAS N. MICHOS - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
February 2nd, 2005
Q&A with Director of Photography Anastas N. Michos
Director of Photography: "Freedomland", "Mona Lisa's Smile", "Forgotten", "Duplex", "Man on the Moon"
Work actively as director of photographer, camera operator in tons of other proyects "curtain call", "Private Parts". The People vs. Larry Flynt", "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" and many others.
JAMES SIGNORELLI - DIRECTOR SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, EASY MONEY
January 23rd, 2006
Q&A with Director James Signorelli
Director: Saturday Night Live, Easy Money, 50 Years of NBC Late Night, Hotel Room (Aka David Lynch 's Hotel Room)
Producer: Saturday Night Live, The Best of the Blues Brothers
Matthew Modine w/ filmmaking student Omar Shakir
MATTHEW MODINE - ACTOR
December 12th, 2005
Q&A with Actor Matthew Modine
Actor - Full Metal Jacket, Any Given Sunday, Married to the Mob, Law & Order, Birdy and many more
Oscar Torres and Luis Madoiki in New York Film Academy
LUIS MANDOKI - DIRECTOR
OSCAR TORRES - ACTOR, SCREENWRITER
September 16th, 2005
Q&A with Writer Oscar Torres, Director Luis Mandoki
Director Luis Mandoki and writer Oscar Torres have launched a grass roots effort to appeal to academy members to vote for their film "Innocent Voices" directed by award winning film maker Luis Mandoki ("When a Man Loves a Woman," "Message in a Bottle")
JOEL SCHUMACHER - DIRECTOR
August 4th, 2005
Q&A with director Joel Schumacher and screening "Tigerland"
Born and raised in working-class New York City, versatile Hollywood director Joel Schumacher started out as an art student. After graduating from Parsons School of Design.
STEVE FABER - WRITERS OF WEDDING CRASHERS
BOB FISHER - WRITERS OF WEDDINIG CRASHERS
August 8th, 2005
Q&A with writers Steve Faber and Bob Fisher about the movie "Wedding Crashers "
The outrageous comedy Wedding Crashers stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as divorce mediators and lifelong friends who have never met a wedding they couldn’t get themselves into.
BARRY AVRICH - DIRECTOR OF THE LAST MOGUL
June 22th, 2005
Q&A with Barry Avrich director of "The Last Mongul"
There are those that say Hollywood was born the day Lew Wasserman came to town. For six decades, there was only one man who had the consummate power to run the industry and his reign forever defined Hollywood as we know it. Lew Wasserman is THE LAST MOGUL.
PAUL HAGGIS - WRITER/DIRECTOR CRASH
BOBBY MORESCO - CO-WRITER CRASH
May 24th, 2005
Q & A with writer/director Paul Haggis and co-writer, Bobby Moresco of the movie "Crash"
About the Director/Writer Paul Haggis: Born in London, Ontario, Paul Haggis went to art school and studied photography. Hoping to become a fashion photographer, he moved to England, but after a year, returned to Canada and attended film school.
PETER HEDGES - DIRECTOR, WRITER
Jan 17th, 2005
Director Peter Hedges talks about "Pieces of April"
Director - Pieces of April
Screenwriter - What's Eating Gilbert Grapes, About A Boy, A Map of the World
CLARK JOHNSON - ACTOR/DIRECTOR
Jan 10th, 2005
Q&A with Actor/Director Clark Johnson
Director - S.W.A.T., Homicide: Life on the Street, Third Watch, Soul Food, The West Wing, The Shield
Johnson became part of the original cast of the television series Homicide: Life on the Street playing Detective Meldrick Lewis for six years, as well as directing several episodes.
KENNETH LONERGAN - DIRECTOR, SCREENWRITER
Oct 18th, 2004
Q&A with Director/ Screenwriter KENNETH LONERGAN about his film "You Can Count On Me"
Kenneth Lonergan
Director - You Can Count On Me
Screenwriter - Gangs of New York
BRENDAN SEXTON III - ACTOR
Sept 13rd, 2004
Q&A with Actor Brendan Sexton III about his performance in the movie "Welcome to the Doll House"
Brendan Sexton III
Actor - Welcome to the Doll House, Session 9, Boys Don't Cry, Desert Blue, Pecker, Empire Records
LASLO KOVAKS - CINEMATOGRAPHER
BILL FRAKER - CINEMATOGRAPHER
ROY WAGNER - CINEMATOGRAPHER
June 23rd, 2004
Q&A with cinematographers Laslo Kovaks, Bill fraker and Roy Wagner
JANEANE GAROFALO - ACTRESS
Feb 16th, 2004
Spotlight on Actress Janeane Garofalo
Ms. Garofalo shares her experiences as an actress. Her credits include The Truth About Cats And Dogs, Reality Bites, Wet Hot American Summer, Dogma, Clay Pigeons, 200 Cigarettes and many more.
CRAIG MCKAY - AWARD WINNING EDITOR
Jan 12th, 2004
Craig McKay, award-winning Feature Film Editor Shares his experiences with NYFA students and instructors.
Mr. McKay is also a story consultant, Director and Executive Producer. Editing credits include "Reds" and “The Silence of the Lambs”, both of which garnered him Academy Award nominations. Other editing highlights include "Philadelphia", "Copland", “K-Pax”, “Maid in Manhattan” among many others
PETER SOLLET - DIRECTOR
Dec 1st, 2003
Screening of “Raising Victor Vargas”, followed by Q&A with Director, Peter Sollett.
Peter Sollett’s feature debut is a stunning piece of filmmaking that carefully explores the stumbling blocks of growing up, capturing adolescence at its most tender, funny and genuine. His script was developed through the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, a prestigious program which offers emerging artists the opportunity to work intensively on their feature film scripts with the support of established screenwriters.
DAVID KOEPP - SCREENWRITER
NOV 17th, 2003
Writer's Guild Foundation (WGA,W) Presents:
David Koepp, screenwriter, whose works include “Spider Man”, “Panic Room”, “Mission Impossible”, “Jurassic Park”, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”, “Stir of Echoes”, “Snake Eyes” and “Carlito’s Way” shares his experience. Mr. Koepp is also a Producer and Director.
Any college credit or degree earned is awarded solely by the New York Film Academy's academic headquarters in California.
All camps are solely owned and operated by the New York Film Academy and are not affiliated with Universal Studios, Harvard University, or Disney Studios.
100 East 17th Street New York, New York 10003 United States Tel. +1 (212) 674-4300 Fax. +1 (212) 477-1414
NYFA.EDU
Thelma Schoonmaker, Editor
Brett Ratner, Director
Jon Favreau, Actor
Visited the Film Academy's Abu Dhabi, UAE campus and held us spell-bound with his master classes in Screenwriting and New Media. He also screened his films Mishima and his new film Adam Resurrected to our students followed by extensive Q&A sessions.
Paramount Vantage recently screened the Sundance award-winning documentary AMERICAN TEEN for our students at the New York Film Academy. The film follows the lives of five teenagers- a jock, a popular girl, a heartthrob, an artsy girl and a geek – in one small town in Indiana through their senior year of high school. We see the insecurities, the cliques, the jealousies, the first loves and heartbreaks, and the struggle to make profound decisions about the future.
The acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard had one big dream. And that was to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. But he never imagined he'd be singing at the 2008 Academy Awards. Not only did the Irish film star and musician of the movie "Once" play Los Angeles' Kodak Theater with co-star Marketa Irglova, they won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Just the day before, the film won the 2008 Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and has won some 11 festival awards including the Sundance Film Festival. "Once" has been touted as the iconic musical for this generation. And the magic that has always been a part of Glen Hansard's fairy-tale life, from his humble beginnings as a a street performer to one of Ireland's most beloved musicians has spilled over to the film. As Glen said in his acceptance speech, "We shot on two Handycams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people...make art. make art. "Marketa added, "This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, (Oscar) it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible."
April 20 th, 2007 
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt blessed the New York Film Academy with a couple hours during his busy schedule. To a packed screening room, Gordon-Levitt covered topics ranging from his Independent vs. Studio filmmaking, his training as an actor, all the way through to choosing scripts, realities of making money as an Actor to staying humble.
Award winning writer Steven De Sousa spoke to New York Film Academy students on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2007.
Kevin Kline with Provost Michael Young and Senior Director David Klein
Producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis and NYFA Los Angeles Director Dan Mackler on-set with basketball star John Salley. NYFA instructors and alumni crewed on a commercial for Fox TV's 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period.'
Director - Pieces of April
