Film Education

  • School & Weekend Workshops

    Guide participants ages 8+ through all phases of film production, from pitch to premiere, both in front of and behind the camera, in schools, after-school programs, and community centers.

    We also provide workshops in existing HS/College film programs where we bring in Industry Professionals to do deep-dives with students in Script and Film Development, Gaffing/Grip Work, Makeup Artistry, DP/Directing, and Entertainment Marketing/Distribution.

  • Media Production Lab

    Provide free training and professional development for NYC residents ages 16-28 so they can obtain the skills, connections, and experience they need for future media production careers

    Our current collaborators to help instruct the students in our Labs include Arri Rental, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Gotham Sound, Sound Lounge, and Kodak Labs.

  • Career Development

    We hire emerging filmmakers and provide income, professional development workshops, and training for them as Instructors and AFFStudio staff

    We also provide flexible schedules so they are able to continue to pursue their filmmaking careers.

AFF Instructors

  • Nina Fiore EdM

    Founding Director

    Harvard University

  • Natasha Rivera

    Lead Instructor

    Co-President/Director, Boiling Point Productions

    Fmr AD, Netflix

  • Becky Chen

    Lead Instructor Videographer/Editor

    UT Austin ‘22

  • Stephanie Ruiz

    Lead Instructor

    New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts ‘16

  • Jessica Ng

    Asst Instructor/Videographer

    Hofstra ‘24

  • Younis Alzubeiri

    Asst Instructor / Content Creator

    CCNY/The Lee Strasberg Institute

  • Raymond Heinichen

    Asst Instructor

    Brooklyn College ‘25

  • Clark Bunao

    Asst Instructor Videographer/Editor

    Lincoln Tech

  • Nikhil Oza

    Asst Instructor

    Brooklyn College ‘24

  • Jonas Wooh

    Editor

    The Lab High School NYC

  • Salvador Angelo Gonzalez

    Videographer/Editor

    SUNY Purchase ‘27

Testimonials

  • The Astoria Film Festival has these incredible educational programs for young people and many of them go on to work at AFF and/or be further involved with filmmaking. I appreciate all of their hard work in giving these kids the opportunity to learn new skills, get behind and in front of the camera, and see what they can create! It’s just magical

    Elizabeth O’Connor, Parent

  • Seeing my daughter on Festival Day, in that big Director chair, speaking with such ease about the challenges of filmmaking, at age 8, had me close to tears. I’m so glad she’s exploring all sorts of opportunities to see what might interest her in the future and I’m so grateful that AFF brings these opportunities to our young people in such a nurturing, and without boundaries, way.

    Jo-Ann Grande Pjevac, Parent

  • Astoria Film Festival has fun and informative camps for children at all levels of film experience. They are great with kids - giving them creative license, while still educating them on all aspects of film production. I recommend them for any child with an interest in film as a career or hobby! Also, Nina helped my son greatly with his audition for a film HS program, and I am happy to say that he got into the program!

    Shubra Breivogel, Parent

AFFMedia Production Lab

The AFF Media Production Lab is a Workforce Development program that aims to empower historically-ignored youth between the ages of 16 and 28 throughout NYC, providing them with essential skills, hands-on experience, and valuable connections to pursue industry careers in film/tv/digital media production.

The AFFMedia Production Lab offers 3 months of free Master Classes, Lectures, Workshops, and Filmmaking Experiences.

Lab Fellows create their own group film during the Lab as well, which is then Premiered at our Youth Festival.

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Testimonials

  • I would definitely recommend the Astoria Film Festival Lab program. It allows you to learn about so many different roles in the media industry and you are also just able to put yourself out there creatively as well.

    Sara Gamelin, 2025 Lab Fellow, Cornell

  • I really appreciated all the workshops, especially gaffing and grip work, because I always wanted to improve my lighting skills and never had that type of instruction before. This program gave me the experience I wanted and the outlet to express my passion.

    Alex Gamez, 2025 Fellow, HS of Art & Design

  • When I first heard about the program I didn't expect it to be THIS broad and intensive. It really exceeded my expectations.

    Ji-Won Ahn, 2025 Fellow, The Baccalaureate School for Global Education