New York Film Academy Summer School
New York Film Academy offers summer camps for teens and kids who are passionate about film, media, and the performing arts.
Many successful Bollywood actors and filmmakers have trained at NYFA, inspiring Indian students to dream bigger. Notable NYFA alumni from India include Imran Khan, Sana Saeed, Kangana Ranaut, Athiya Shetty, Sonam Kapoor, Gauri Shinde, Rakesh Varre, Madhumita, and cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani.
From Hollywood to Broadway and global film festivals, NYFA alumni are shaping the entertainment industry worldwide. At the global level, graduates include actors Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, Issa Rae, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Eve Hewson; Marvel director Mohamad Diab, and Oscar-winning cinematographer James Friend, just a few creatives who transformed their NYFA training into extraordinary careers.
Summer School Programs are available from June to August.
New York Film Academy Summer Camp for Teens
NYFA’s Teen Programs give students ages 14–17 the opportunity to explore their passion for film, media, and the performing arts in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
During the summer camps, teens train under the mentorship of working industry professionals who guide them through practical, project-based learning. True to NYFA’s learn-by-doing approach, students spend most of their time actively creating work in their chosen discipline, gaining real experience while building confidence and technical ability.
Beyond creative training, the programs help students develop valuable transferable skills that support their success in high school and beyond. Participants strengthen their ability to collaborate with peers, present ideas clearly, and thoughtfully discuss their projects.
NYFA summer camps for teens are available as beginner Level I and Level II classes.
Teen programs are held in New York, Los Angeles, at Harvard University, and internationally in Paris and Florence.
Courses Offered at NYFA Summer School
A Level I prerequisite is required to enrol in Level II programs.
3D Animation
Acting for Film
Documentary Filmmaking
Filmmaking
Game Design
Musical Theatre
Photography
Screenwriting
NYFA Filmmaking Programs for Teens
NYFA’s filmmaking programs offer an exciting opportunity for students to explore storytelling through hands-on learning. These summer camps are designed to help young creatives build skills in filmmaking and content creation while working alongside professional filmmakers and directors. Students learn how to write scripts, operate cameras, direct scenes, and edit their own original films.
Level I: Whether students are new to filmmaking or already creating social media content, these camps help them take their skills to the next level. Through a balanced mix of lessons, short film projects, and on-set experience, students gain a strong foundation in the art and technique of filmmaking.
Level I programs are available in 1-week, 3-week, and 6-week formats. No prior experience is required.
Level II: Students who complete the 3-week or 6-week Level I program can advance to Level II. These 3-week, full-time, on-campus programs focus on deeper storytelling skills, including producing short films with dialogue.
Fees
- 1-week Level I program fee: $1,725 (Early Bird Registration Price $1,552.50)
- 3-week Level I program fee: $4,525 (Early Bird Registration Price $4,072.50)
- 6-week Level I program fee: $ 7,325 (Early Bird Registration Price $6,592.50)
- 3-week Level II program fee: $4,525 (Early Bird Registration Price $4,072.50)
- Location: New York City, The Harvey School, Los Angeles, Harvard University, Paris and Florence
Acting Summer Camps for Teens
NYFA’s Acting Summer Camps for Teens are designed to help young performers develop strong audition, television, and film acting skills. These programs welcome beginners and those with prior theatre or short film experience. Whether a teen dreams of becoming a professional actor or simply wants to explore performance, these camps provide the right foundation.
Level I: Students train in a focused, fast-paced environment where they learn essential on-camera techniques and audition skills under the guidance of professional actors.
Through a balanced mix of classroom instruction, scene study, short projects, and time on set, teens gain practical experience in front of the camera. Along the way, they also strengthen confidence, articulation, public speaking, and teamwork.
Level I programs are available in 1-week, 3-week, and 6-week formats. No previous experience is required.
Level II: Students who complete a Level I program can advance to a 3-week Level II workshop. These advanced camps deepen performance skills through challenging scene work and new acting techniques.
Fees
- 1-week Level I program fee: $1,325 (Early Bird Registration Price $1,192.50)
- 3-week Level I program fee: $3,725 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,352.50)
- 6-week Level I program fee: $ 6,225 (Early Bird Registration Price $5,602.50)
- 3-week Level II program fee: $3,725 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,352.50)
- Location: New York City, The Harvey School, Los Angeles, Harvard University, Paris and Florence
Photography Camps for Teens
Photography camps are offered exclusively at the Level I stage.
NYFA’s Photography Camps for Teens offer an inspiring introduction to the craft of digital photography. Students learn through engaging classroom instruction, faculty-supervised lab sessions, and hands-on creative assignments and develop both technical and artistic skills in digital photography.
Students are encouraged to explore new perspectives and discover fresh ways of seeing and capturing the same subject. They gain practical experience using professional tools such as Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, learning how to enhance, edit, and refine their images with confidence.
The curriculum blends creativity with technique, helping students understand lighting, composition, and visual storytelling.
Level I: The Level I program focuses on producing high-quality photographs across multiple genres, including Fine Art, Photojournalism, and Commercial Photography. By the end of the camp, each student completes a collection of finished images showcasing their growth and versatility.
The Level I program is available in 1-week and 3-week formats.
All participants must bring a digital camera with manual exposure control.
Fees
- 1-week Level I program fee: $1,725 (Early Bird Registration Price $1,552.50)
- 3-week Level I program fee: $3,925 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,532.50)
- Location: New York City
3D Animation Summer Camps for Teens
3D Animation programs are offered exclusively at the Level I level.
NYFA’s 3D Animation Summer Camps for Teens allow young artists to learn how to create exciting 3D animation content from the ground up. These camps introduce students to the core principles of animation in a creative, supportive environment led by professional animators and visual effects artists.
Throughout the program, students explore essential artistic and technical skills, including drawing, painting, storyboarding, and sculpting. With hands-on instruction and guided practice, they begin to understand how ideas transform into animated stories.
Each student gains practical experience while learning the foundations of visual storytelling and producing original animated work.
Level I: In the Level I program, teens design their own original characters and environments while moving step-by-step through a professional animation pipeline.
Students use industry-standard 3D Maya software to build models and apply fundamental animation techniques. By the end of the camp, they complete a 60–90 second animated clip that showcases their creativity and newly developed skills.
Fees
- 3-week Level I program fee: $4,100 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,690)
- Location: Los Angeles, Harvard University
Musical Theatre for Teens
NYFA’s Musical Theatre for Teens summer camps and workshops allow aspiring performers to grow in a focused and inspiring environment. Guided by experienced faculty, students develop essential skills in voice, dance, and acting while gaining confidence on stage.
These high-energy programs challenge teens to refine their talents in a professional yet supportive setting. At the end of each camp, students showcase their progress in a lively final performance for friends and family.
Level I: Level I programs are available in a 3-week format.
In Level I camps, teens quickly build a strong foundation for musical theatre performance. Instruction is led by professionals with recent credits in Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional productions such as Finding Neverland, Beautiful, The Phantom of the Opera, Matilda the Musical, The Lion King, and Chicago.
From day one, students train in song interpretation, tap, ballet, and jazz. They also learn how to present themselves confidently in auditions and live performances.
Level II: Level II programs available in a 3-week format allow students to continue advancing their craft. Teens deepen their audition, vocal, dance, and acting techniques while working with more challenging material and performance concepts.
Fees
- 3-week Level I program fee: $3,525 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,172.50)
- 3-week Level II program fee: $3,525 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,172.50)
- Location: New York City
Teen Documentary Filmmaking Programs
Documentary filmmaking camps are offered exclusively at the Level I level in a 3-week format. No prior experience is required.
NYFA’s Teen Documentary Filmmaking Programs are designed for students who are passionate about real-world storytelling. These immersive, hands-on programs introduce young filmmakers to the art and craft of non-fiction film.
Students learn how to develop, produce, and complete their own documentary projects while gaining a strong foundation in visual storytelling.
Throughout the program, teens build introductory skills in non-fiction storytelling, producing, directing, camera operation, lighting design, production sound, and editing. Guided by experienced instructors, students explore how to research compelling topics, conduct interviews, and shape authentic stories with purpose and clarity.
The focus is on learning by doing, allowing participants to strengthen both their creative vision and technical abilities through practical experience.
Fees
- 3-week Level I program fee: $4,525 (Early Bird Registration Price $4,082.50)
- Location: New York City
Screenwriting Camps for Teens
Screenwriting Camp is offered exclusively at the Level I level in a 3-week format. No prior experience is required.
NYFA’s Screenwriting Camps for Teens are created for students who want to learn how to write a script and bring their ideas to life. These programs offer a focused and immersive introduction to the craft of screenwriting.
Under the guidance of experienced faculty members who are professional screenwriters, teens explore the fundamentals of storytelling for film and television in a supportive, creative environment.
Students build on their natural storytelling abilities while learning how to develop strong concepts, create compelling characters, structure scenes, and write engaging dialogue. The camp encourages creativity while also teaching the discipline and best techniques and practices required in professional screenwriting.
Through workshops, writing exercises, and constructive feedback, participants strengthen both their technical skills and their unique creative voice.
Fees
- 3-week Level I program fee: $3,500 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,150)
- Location: New York City, Los Angeles
Game Design for Teens
The Game Design program is offered exclusively at the Level I level in a 3-week format. No prior experience is required.
NYFA’s Game Design for Teens camps are created for students who love playing games and want to learn how to design their own. The most successful game designers are passionate players who combine creativity, artistic vision, and a deep understanding of how games work.
In this immersive program, teens begin building the skills needed to become tomorrow’s developers. From the very first day, students dive into the study and practice of gaming. They analyse what makes a game engaging, balanced, and fun.
Using this knowledge, they begin laying the foundation to design and build an original video game. The camp also introduces systems thinking, helping students understand how different elements interact within a larger framework. This approach strengthens skills connected to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
At Level 1, students start with the fundamentals of the Unity Game Development Engine, widely used in gaming, film, virtual reality, and architecture. They also learn the basics of programming with C#, a clear and versatile coding language. By the end of the program, each student completes a game of their own creation.
Fees
- 3-week Level I program fee: $4,100 (Early Bird Registration Price $3,690)
- Location: Los Angeles
NYFA Kids Summer School
NYFA also offers Kids Summer School Camp for students ages 10–13, an exciting opportunity to explore film, media, and performing arts in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Through fun games, creative exercises, group projects, and hands-on assignments, kids learn from experienced industry professionals while bringing their ideas to life.
Designed for imaginative young storytellers and performers, the programs help students strengthen their natural talents while building a solid foundation of new creative skills.
Along the way, participants also develop valuable transferable abilities such as public speaking, problem solving, communication, and confident self-expression.
Programs are available at beginner Level I and Level II stages.
For NYFA’s Kids summer camps, housing is not provided.
Courses Offered at NYFA Summer School
A Level I prerequisite is required to enrol in Level II programs.
3D Animation
Acting for Film
Filmmaking
Game Design
Musical Theatre
Photography
Fees
- 1-week Level I and Level II program fee: $1,225
- 2-week Level I and Level II program fee: $2,325
- 3-week Musical Theatre Level I program fee: $2,700
- Location: New York and Los Angeles
Student Safety and Supervision at NYFA’s Summer School
At NYFA’s Summer School, the safety and well-being of every student is a top priority.
Though its international community of teens and kids is known for being respectful, responsible, and cooperative, NYFA maintains clear rules, structured supervision, and consistent guidelines to ensure that all programs remain safe, supportive, and enjoyable for everyone.
NYFA provides dedicated staff supervision throughout each program. Its counsellors are 21 years of age or older, and the majority hold undergraduate degrees in filmmaking or acting.
Their academic background and professional understanding enable them to mentor students effectively while maintaining a secure and positive learning environment.
Accommodation and Housing
NYFA offers housing to teen students only at select locations for an additional fee.
Students who require accommodation must apply separately, as housing is not automatically included in tuition.
Counsellors are assigned to small groups of approximately 10–12 students to ensure close supervision and support. Counsellors live in the same residences, either university dormitories or hotels in Paris and Florence, with rooms adjacent to students.
Typically, there is one counsellor room per floor. In addition to living and dining with students, counsellors also assist as teaching assistants during classes and film shoots.
NYFA New York housing
A short commute from Battery Park campus. Students stay in dormitory-style residences with fully furnished rooms. Laundry facilities and 24-hour security are provided. A meal plan is not available.
NYFA Los Angeles housing
Features fully furnished rooms. Laundry facilities and 24-hour security are included. Breakfast is provided.
Florence
Students stay in a three-star hotel in a quiet neighbourhood near Piazza D’Azeglio. Counsellors supervise students from adjacent rooms. Breakfast is included.
Paris
Students reside in a three-star residential hotel in the artistic neighbourhood of Montmartre. Breakfast is included.
Harvard University
For NYFA programs held at Harvard University, residential students live in a campus residence hall within walking distance of classes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Accommodation Type | Location | Pricing |
1-Week Shared Room |
| $1,312.50 |
3-Week Shared Room | NYFA New York | $3,780 |
6-Week Shared Room |
| $7,875 |
|
|
|
1-Week Shared Room |
| $1,417.50 |
3-Week Shared Room | NYFA Los Angeles | $4,095 |
6-Week Shared Room |
| $8,190 |
|
|
|
1-Week Shared Room | NYFA Florence | $1,102.50 |
3-Week Shared Room |
| $3,202.50 |
|
|
|
1-Week Shared Room | Paris | $1,365 |
3-Week Shared Room |
| $4,095 |
|
|
|
1-Week Shared Room | NYFA at Harvard University | $1,470 |
3-Week Shared Room |
| $4,252.50 |
Awards, Certifications & Academic Recognition
Students who successfully complete NYFA’s teen camps are awarded a Certificate of Completion in recognition of their intensive, hands-on training.
Although summer workshops are generally non-credit programs, they are carefully designed to help students build strong foundational skills and enhance their creative portfolios for college applications.
In several cases, high school graduates have transformed their summer camp projects into short films that have gone on to receive recognition and awards at international film festivals.
This summer, experience NYFA Summer School and discover how a program in film, media, and the performing arts in the USA can reshape your perspective, confidence, and future direction. Book a Free Consultation with ScholarshipKart today to explore the top Summer Schools in the USA. Get expert support at every step—from course selection and applications to scholarships and visa assistance.
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