Reel Works in Schools recently graduated its latest cohort from the Career Discovery Production Assistant program. This initiative serves young adults interested in pursuing careers as Production Assistants in New York City's vibrant media and entertainment industry.

Reel Works attended the Tribeca Film Festival! This opportunity, made possible by the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, provided a dynamic platform where emerging filmmakers could engage with cutting-edge films and eminent professionals. 

In celebration of Pride Month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with lesbian filmmaker, exceptional Reel Works alumni and current staff member, Emily Freire.

Reel Works in Schools is hard at work! Within the past month, the team has graduated four different cohorts of young filmmakers. Each program is unique in design and curriculum, but all emphasize the importance of storytelling and creative expression in students' educational journeys.

Emerging filmmaker and Reel Works alumni Kelly has announced her new film, Dreamland. In our exclusive interview, she shared that creating Dreamland was a journey of self-discovery and a culmination of various projects and trajectories, like the Center Stage Beauty Podcast.

We’re thrilled to spotlight an influential member of Reel Works who enhances the future of the media and entertainment industry, Keisha Katz, our Director of Workforce and External Partnerships. As an incredible leader, Keisha embodies the spirit of innovation, dedication, and leadership.

On April 12, 2024, Reel Works, in collaboration with Paramount Global, hosted the inaugural MediaMKRS Summit in the vibrant city of New York. It was a momentous occasion where over 150 individuals from various sectors - including education, industry, government, and alumni - convened to address the pressing issues within the media and entertainment industry.

Nina Simone Moore is the Office Coordinator at Reel Works, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation of day-to-day activities. In a recent conversation, Simone shared her journey from Atlanta, Georgia to Brooklyn, New York, the impact of her work at Reel Works, and her future project that seeks to honor her grandmother's legacy through multimodal storytelling.

Reel Works is thrilled to share that we’ve been selected to receive $2 million as an awardee of the Yield Giving Open Call!

Reel Works and Harbor Picture Company hosted a special screening in honor of Black History Month! The event highlighted the remarkable talents and perspectives of young Black filmmakers within our community. Unveiling an array of compelling narratives to thought-provoking documentaries, the evening served as a powerful celebration of Black voices in cinema.

Reel Works’ inaugural class of Media Career Pathways (MCP) has come to a close. This incredible program was born out of our decades-long commitment to reaching underrepresented populations. Working with out-of-school out-of-work students, MCP increases industry access and empowers a new generation of students.

This January, Reel Works took a break from the cold and headed to Los Angeles to host in-person events to serve our growing west-coast alumni community. We were welcomed with open arms by local industry professionals and our partners at companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Harbor Picture Company. The week was a beautiful showcase of community, creativity, and collaboration.

Mariam’s journey as Program Coordinator began in February 2023. She started through CUNY’s Internship to Employment program and joined the team full time in September 2023. Mariam brings an abundance of passion and care to this role. She supports after-school students, guiding them through their journey at Reel Works.

Reel Works Doc Lab mentor Jalyssa Jimenez joined our Film School Friday for an impactful screening of “The Next Stop,” a documentary-narrative inspired by real-life events. This courageous project confronts the often untold stories of sexual harassment women face on New York City’s transit system. “The Next Stop” won the Best Youth award at BlackStar Film Festival and was nominated for Tribeca Film Festival.

Reel Works Media Career Pathways students participated in an enriching marketing 101 workshop led by Jenni Loo, Producer of Internal Productions, and Marisa Iovino, Communications Associate. The afternoon was lively with insights, interactive activities, and a shared passion for learning. Here’s more about the afternoon!

Film enthusiasts and community supporters joined to enjoy films from the next generation of storytellers. This was our biggest film festival, with 42 films screened and over 300 people attending. We opened the festival to global filmmakers for the first time, allowing people worldwide to submit their work. This is not just a festival; it’s an international celebration of creativity and connection.

Reel Works hosted a Halloween-inspired 48 Hour Filmmaking Challenge in October. Yasmin who worked on the short film Finding Willow reflects on the exhilarating weekend in our latest blog post.

On July 12, 2023, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar, and Commissioner Keith Howard visited Reel Works to celebrate 60 years of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which connects NYC Youth with quality summer jobs. Over 40 SYEP students, from Bronx Lab and Bronx International High School, joined to commemorate the program's success!

The Reel Works College Panel and Grad Party was a success! Reflecting on its impact months later reminds us how valuable the initiative is to our community. Coming together to prepare students for their college experience is unique and inspiring.