Welcome!
Welcome to the New York Film Academy’s summer programs for kids in Miami (South Beach)! Students should come ready to commit themselves to an intensive, fun, and rewarding experience — whether they’ll be learning how to make films or act for the camera.
We ask that parents read through this packet carefully. It provides information that will prove invaluable in orienting yourselves to our program.
We look forward to an exciting summer in Miami!
NYFA at a Glance
MISSION STATEMENT
Through its educational programs, the New York Film Academy (“NYFA”) propagates visual literacy and visual storytelling through hands-on intensive learning. It seeks to make visual storytelling education accessible to the most diverse, international, and broadest possible spectrum of campers, and to hone the skills of future professionals so that they may one day serve the visual storytelling arts as industry leaders.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
NYFA Kids Programs are based on the philosophy of “learn by doing.” Every curriculum stems from that belief. NYFA believes that the most effective way for our campers to master their chosen craft is to immediately start creating their own work in a hands-on intensive working environment.
NYFA VALUES
Leadership – To be a successful artist in these collaborative fields, leadership qualities are important. Through the work and development of the projects that campers make or perform in, they can enhance their ability to engage others to work together and create impactful art.
Creativity – We encourage campers to think outside the box. The challenges inherent in these crafts force campers to develop creative solutions to achieve desired results.
Collaboration – Quality leadership and collaboration go hand in hand. To achieve educational and creative goals, campers must work together and often depend on their classmates’ assistance to execute their projects. Collaboration fosters the ability to conduct oneself with professionalism and respect to others and their creativity.
Discipline – The discipline required to create quality work is extraordinary. A camper will need to practice the art of discipline, and try their hand at a craft that requires full dedication to succeed.
Expression and Individuality – Through visual and performing arts, our campers have an extraordinary opportunity to express their point of view and discuss their thoughts, ideas and concerns. We encourage campers to use their own experiences to inform their work, which often results in truthful and moving storytelling.
OUR FACILITIES
NYFA’s Miami Beach campus facilities are brand new and boasts over 22,000 square feet of modernized space which includes three separate production studio spaces each with their own lighting grid, sound proofing and modular film stage flats systems, a 65 seat screening room, a dedicated Dance & Movement Studio as well as a beautiful Student Lounge with its own kitchenette (full size fridge, sink & refillable bottle filtered water station), a large ADR studio, two large edit labs, and a variety of multi-sized classrooms. Both the campus & the building are ADA friendly and have enhanced security features in place.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
NYFA’s faculty members are active performing and visual arts professionals. They all have a passion for the arts including storytelling and teaching and are consistently given the highest praise from our campers.
STAFFING
The Director of Kids Programs supervises all Kids Program staff, which includes counselors, instructors and technical assistants. Questions regarding Camper Services should be directed to the Director of Kids Programs.
Registration
All NYFA camps have open enrollment, though NYFA prerequisites may apply. No previous experience is required. The application for the camps may be filled out online. A deposit ($500) is required to secure the camper’s spot in the program of their choice. Once the application and the deposit have been made, the camper will receive an online packet containing forms that must be filled out by the camper and their parents/guardians.
Summer Camp Forms In Applicant Portal
Parents and students will need to sign all required Summer Forms in the Application Portal.
If you have any questions, contact us at (305) 534-6009 or email [email protected]
Registration & Orientation
Please make plans to arrive in Miami (South Beach) in order to attend the registration and orientation on the Monday start date of your program. The first class will immediately follow registration and orientation.
School Address:
New York Film Academy Miami
420 Lincoln Rd, Suite #300
Miami, Florida 33139
1 & 2-WEEK PROGRAMS
1-Week Programs
June 16, 2025- June 20,2025 or
July 07, 2025- July 11, 2025
2-Week Programs
June 16, 2025- June 27, 2025
July 07, 2025- July 18, 2025
You Must register at these times.
Registration at 9am
Monday, June 16, 2025
Monday, July 07, 2025
ORIENTATION
After registration, New York Film Academy staff and all students in the kids camps will have an orientation.
Supervision
Students in the kids program will be supervised at all times – in class, while filming in the school or in the surrounding areas, at lunch, and up until the time they are picked up at the end of the day.
Parents/guardians are required to provide the names of authorized adults to pick up their child from camp in the online camp forms. Students must be signed out of class each day by someone on this list. These details will also be discussed at orientation.
Lunch
Students have about an hour to eat lunch. We ask that you please send your student with a packed or pre-purchased lunch.
We understand that many families are visiting and staying in hotels, making it more difficult to make lunch. Picking up something and dropping it off later in the day with a NYFA staff member is acceptable.
Transportation
Please make all transportation arrangements before the program begins. It is important that all students arrive on time every day (as set by the schedule you’ll receive at orientation, usually at 9 am).
Students need to be picked up at 4 pm when class ends.
Medical Care
If students are in need of any medical attention, they should immediately advise their instructor or teaching assistant. Staff will take them directly to the nearest medical facility.
If needed, please make sure your child is supplied with any prescription medicine they will need for the duration of your program. (Please note: we cannot be responsible for dispensing medication – this is the responsibility of the student). If the student has a recurring medical condition we should be made aware of, please send us their medical history, as well as any information or records that may assist doctors in treating them.
Please inform us of any allergies the student may have on the medical release form online.
We suggest you contact your insurance provider if you are unsure as to whether or not your policy covers your child in Miami, Florida.
Remember to fill out the medical information form in the Applicant Portal and upload the front and back of your insurance card.
Final Screening
Final screenings will be scheduled on the last Friday of your program and will include the awarding of certificates. Screening times are generally around 4 pm Family and friends are invited to attend.
ALL PROGRAMS:
All filmmaking students will receive a copy of their work. Acting for Film students will receive a copy of selected films and coursework they acted in.
We highly recommend that all students bring a USB flash drive (at least 16 GB) onto which they can upload all of their projects.
However, if students wish to take home their raw footage and the films of their classmates, we highly recommend bringing a portable hard drive.
Important Contact Info
Miami (South Beach) Office Number: 305-534-6009
Miami (South Beach) Office Email: [email protected]
NYFA Website: nyfa.edu/summer-camps
Campus Director
NYFA Miami Campus Director Michael Dylan Rastrick (formerly Michael Jordi Valdes) is an Emmy Nominated & Award winning Producer best known for his work on the social issue documentaries, A Class Apart (American Experience), and The State of Arizona (PBS). Along with being a published photographer and writer back in Canada, Dylan has worked closely with some of the most compelling and relevant documentary filmmakers in the United States and worldwide, through his position at the Sundance Film Festival (2003-2014). Dylan holds his BA in Theater Studies & English from the University of King’s College in Canada, and has recently been accepted to the Master of Arts (MA) in Entrepreneurial Producing and Innovation online program at NYFA.
Summer Camp Coordinator
Ester Meyer Nunes is a Brazilian filmmaker with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy and a Master’s of Science in Mass Communication from Florida International University. Currently based in South Florida, Ester teaches liberal arts and science courses at NYFA Miami.
In addition to teaching at NYFA, Ester has also worked as a mentoring artist at a film non-profit, where she taught filmmaking to students in underprivileged communities. This role allowed Ester to share her passion for storytelling and filmmaking with the next generation of filmmakers.
With a focus on education and mentorship, Ester is dedicated to inspiring creativity and providing opportunities for underserved youth in the film industry.
Checklist
- Tuition balance is due 30 days before the start of your program.
- Confirm that your health insurance covers you in Miami, Florida.
- You will need to fill out all forms ONLINE! This includes medical release, rules and regulations, and other important forms. You will do this by going to the link contained in the email sent to you.
- Please note any allergies/medications on the medical release form.
- Inform NYFA of any changes to your address, email or phone.
- Be sure to bring this packet with you to camp. You may want to make a copy of this as well for your parents to keep at home for reference.
- Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Direction
From North – (Ft. Lauderdale):
Get on I-95 S.
Continue on I-95 S to Miami Beach.
Continue on W 41st Street. Take Pine Tree Drive to Washington Avenue.
Continue onto W 41st Street.
Turn right onto Pine Tree Drive.
Continue onto Dade Boulevard.
Turn left onto Washington Avenue. Destination will be on the right.
From South – (Coral Gables):
U.S. 1 N and I-95 N.
Follow U.S. 1 N to I-95 N in Miami.
Continue on I-95 N. Take I-195 E to FL-907 S/Alton Road in Miami Beach. Take exit 5 from I-195 E.
Continue on FL-907 S/Alton Road.
Turn left onto N Michigan Avenue.
Turn left onto Dade Boulevard.
Turn right onto Washington Avenue. Destination will be on the right.
From West – (Miami International Airport)
Get on FL-112 E in Hialeah from Miad Circle and Exit 2.
Follow FL-112 E and I-195 E to FL-907 S/Alton Road in Miami Beach. Take exit 5 from I-195 E.
Continue on FL-907 S/Alton Road.
Turn left onto N Michigan Avenue.
Turn left onto Dade Boulevard.
Turn right onto Washington Avenue. Destination will be on the right.
Preparation
We look forward to seeing the amazing work you will produce during your camp. Please read through the section designated for your program in the following pages. We have outlined information for you to best prepare for your camp.
FILMMAKING STUDENTS
Filmmaking students should prepare by writing any story ideas, character notes or other thoughts to bring with them. These ideas will inevitably develop once the program begins, but it will be a great help to have something prior to starting the workshop. Remember to think visually!
Filmmaking students should begin thinking of music they might want to use and bring music files with them to the workshop.
ACTING FOR FILM STUDENTS
Acting for Film students can prepare by watching their favorite actors and noticing what it is about them that makes them stand out.
Take note of specific scenes and performances that move you. Read a variety of plays and film scripts, and if there is a particular one you’d like to perform, bring it with you. Your instructors may be able to integrate it into your class.
