New York Film Academy is a private film and acting school with campuses in New York City and Los Angeles, including the Burbank campus near the big studios. It teaches filmmaking, acting for film, producing, cinematography, screenwriting and 3D animation through intensive, hands-on projects. Students shoot many short films during their programmes.
Burbank, California, United States
Official website: nyfa.edu
1992 in New York
New York City and Los Angeles (Burbank)
Hands-on, project-based filmmaking
$36,000 – $42,000
All students, conservatory and degree programmes
$22,000 – $28,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on nyfa.edu before you apply.
MFA Filmmaking
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Jan, May, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BFA Filmmaking
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Jan, May, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
BFA Acting for Film
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Jan, May, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
One-Year Conservatory in Filmmaking
DiplomaDuration
12 Months
Intake
Jan, May, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Students make many films from the first term.
A Burbank campus near Warner Bros. and Disney.
Acting students work on camera constantly.
Graduates work in film, TV and streaming production.
A strong reel is the main career asset.
Degree graduates may qualify for OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The Los Angeles campus is in Burbank, the heart of the studio district, with shooting stages and editing suites.
Burbank is part of Los Angeles, with high rent and the entertainment industry all around.
Form I-20 issued by New York Film Academy
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
NYFA accepts applications on a rolling basis. Apply three to four months before your start date.
Programmes start in January, May and September.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from New York Film Academy first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Filmmaking at MFA and BFA level, acting for film and the one-year conservatory are popular. Entry is by application and portfolio or audition, with IELTS 5.5-6.5.
NYFA offers some scholarships. Check the website.
