New York Film Academy

2003-2004 International Relations

Film & Acting School

International Relations director (2003-2004), and International Relations coordinator along with Elizabeth Schub (1997-1998) for New York Film Academy in New York. Managing outreach work to promote NYFA internationally with focus on Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Actions also included the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, and India.

Work with universities, film schools, and festivals. Selected projects including work with New York media, El País, Notodofilmfest (Madrid), CCCB Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona, Ficco Mexico City Film Festival (Mexico). Cuba 15 short film was produced with the support of NYFA.

"New York Film Academy was a great hub in New York for years and had a profound impact on my life. Working on my student film The King of Harlem gave me the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team of students and professionals. During my first term at NYFA, I also contributed to several projects aimed at promoting the school internationally. Following that, I produced my first short film, Cuba 15, with support from NYFA.

NYFA community at that time included lecturers such as Heng Tatt Lim and Ingrid Beger, and staff members like Peter Baker and Robert McKenna. Years later, I returned to work in International Relations. Throughout both periods, I had the privilege of meeting filmmakers who have since thrived in media and other industries, including José Barrio, Vicente Domingo (Spain), Lizet Pérez (Mexico), Nancy Abdo (Lebanon), and Ludovica Di Falco (Italy). These are all dear friends to me today." --PV

New York

How was attending Filmmaking at NYFA?

In The King of Harlem, I had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse team from the US, Spain, Norway, Greece, Japan, Korea, and Venezuela. The talented cast, including Rasheed Hinds, Erika Hoglund, and Victor Reese, brought the vision to life. This was the debut film by photographer Vicente Pouso, and I had the pleasure of working alongside the brilliant costume designer Kim W. Behrens. The project wouldn't have been the same without the contribution of AD Sylvia Briceño, HBO producer at the time. The film features surreal scenes, snow, and a soundtrack that includes the works of Laurie Anderson, Meredith Monk, Violent Femmes, and Flamenco master Camarón de la Isla.

How did NYFA support the production of Cuba 15?

In New York, Jerry Sherlock and NYFA believed in Cuba 15 and provided essential support for the post-production process, working with external film and sound companies. In Cuba, Escuela Internacional de Cine y Televisión de San Antonio de los Baños was also incredibly supportive. The presence of Spanish filmmakers Jaime Rosales (director of La Soledad) and Guillermo Escalona (producer of HBO's Mil Colmillos) was essential, as they were both attending courses at EICTV. Their support, alongside the entire EICTV team, was instrumental for the project. Cuba 15 was later screened at NYFA.

What work did you do for NYFA?

I was involved in promoting the school across Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Cuba. Later, during a second term at NYFA, I was appointed Marketing Director for South America, which evolved into a role in International Relations for Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, with selected work in the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, and India. I had the opportunity to visit Mexico at least seven times, as well as Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

Can you share a specific project you worked on for NYFA?

A significant part of my role was promoting NYFA through outreach activities, primarily with universities and film schools. At the time, NYFA wasn’t as engaged in traditional international advertising, so we focused on building relationships with film festivals, institutions, companies, and media outlets. I organized public talks, live events, and press interactions to raise the school's profile. I also launched NYFA Awards to recognize emerging filmmakers, partnering with organizations such as El País and Notodofilmfest in Madrid, and Ficco (International Film Festival in Mexico CityI) Additionally, I organized an event at the CCCB (Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona), and worked with media partners in New York.

How do you remember your work at NYFA?

My time at NYFA may have been my most fulfilling professional experience. It was through NYFA that I was sent to Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico State and Mexico City, where I began teaching for the first time —a turning point that would shape my academic career internationally. When I say I’ve worked in twenty-two countries, much of that can be attributed to the opportunities NYFA provided. After this initial experience in project development, I went on to work in the UK as a program leader at Arts University Plymouth, in Spain as media director for an European Project at UC3M, and in Mexico as director of an International Film Festival.

And how was life in New York?

I spent over ten years living in New York, and the city profoundly shaped my life, especially as a student and young artist. During that time, I completed my PhD dissertation with a research grant at Columbia University, and worked for three years with director/artist Robert Wilson. I also produced my first short film and directed my first documentary feature. Additionally, I had the privilege of collaborating with organizations like Vivendi Universal, NBC, Time Warner, and The Rockefeller Foundation. My journey in New York began and ended with New York Film Academy, and it played an essential role in both my personal and professional growth.

Interview

SPAIN Film awards for Tentaciones Magazine/El País I Film awards for Notodofilmfest I Public talk at CCCB Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona. INTERNATIONAL Selected work with the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, India. NEW YORK Advertising in NY media. I Photo: © Tentaciones I CCCB I Notodofilmfest

Projects

MEXICO Selected work for NYFA with Tecnológico de Monterrey (1997-1998, 2003-2004). Further academic work at Tecnológico de Monterrey Mexico State (2004-2005), Mexico City (2004-2006), Querétaro (2006), Chihuahua (2012-2017), and Sonora (2017).

Projects

Cuba 15

Short film produced with NYFA support

Cuba 15 (1997, US/Spain, 13:46) short film with the support of NYFA. “With passion and uncertainty, Tzunami Ortega Coyra lives the crossroads between childhood and womanhood through the traditional quinceañera celebration.” I IMDb

"In my early years at NYFA, Elizabeth Schub was lecturer, contributed to The King of Harlem, led International Relations work, and directed Cuba 15 delivering an Editing Workshop at EICTV. When we found Tzunami, she left the original idea of multiple characters. Later on, a New York critic called her ‘cinematic animal’. Just 55min on 16mm filmed in two days ended up as a force of nature, a tzunami, that took the world by storm. Her energy keeps shining today." --PV I Cuba 15

The King of Harlem

Short film produced at NYFA

The King of Harlem (1995, US/Spain, 9:00) short film at NYFA. “A haunting story of love and destiny based on a poem by Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. Two men, a woman, and New York City.” IMDb

"Briefly after university in Madrid, I received the highest grant of the year along with two other candidates by the Ministry of Culture of Spain (later Fulbright) to study filmmaking in New York. Through Steven Cruz at Latino Department, the Deanship invited me to enter next year Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Although I decided to accept the grant for Filmmaking at NYFA, Screenwriting at Columbia University, and then practice in a dozen of independent films. (The Daytrippers produced by Stephen Soderbergh, and media produced by Spike Lee)." --PV

Artwork I Projects I University