Film Education
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School & Weekend Workshops
Guide participants ages 8-18+ 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, Lighting/Sound for filming, Makeup Artistry, DP/Directing, Podcasting, Social Media Management, and Entertainment Marketing/Distribution.
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AFFMedia 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 The MBS Group/Kaufman Astoria Studios, Samansa, Netflix, Gotham Sound, A&E Networks, Sound Lounge, & BridgeNext.
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Career Development
We hire emerging filmmakers and provide a living wage, 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
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Nina Fiore EdM
Founding Director
BA, EdM Harvard University
FMR Viacom, MTV, Noggin, Sesame Workshop, PBS, CBS
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Shawn Antoine II MFA
MFA, Documentary Filmmaking, Northwestern
BFA, Film, Rhode Island University
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Jessica Ng
Lead Instructor/Videographer
Hofstra ‘24, Sinatra ‘20
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Raymond Heinichen
Asst Instructor/Videographer
Brooklyn College ‘25
Art&Design HS ‘21
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Younis Alzubeiri
Asst Instructor / Content Creator
CCNY/The Lee Strasberg Institute
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Nikhil Oza
Asst Instructor/Videographer
Brooklyn College ‘24, ACTVF ‘20
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Salvador Angelo Gonzalez
Asst Instructor/ Videographer
SUNY Purchase ‘27, ACTVF ‘23
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Juliana Giraldo
Asst Instructor
Baruch ‘29, Art & Design HS ‘25
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Baz Duarte
Asst Instructor/Videographer
Art & Design HS ‘26
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Alex Gamez
Asst Instructor/Editor
Art & Design HS ‘26
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Becky Chen
Special Events
UT Austin ‘22
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Jonas Wooh
Editor
The Lab School ‘26
Testimonials
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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
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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
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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.
Testimonials
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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
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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
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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