Transforming Lives through the Art of Visual Storytelling.
Our mission is to educate students of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds about films and filmmaking, utilizing a world-class faculty in a conservatory setting. MFI brings emerging artists, local families, and our surrounding community together in year-round programs and initiatives illuminating the storytelling process.
EVENTS
Faculty

Tony Spiridakis
Currently writing the feature film, “Mike’s Place” for Todd Komarnicki and Antoine Fuqua.

Shannon Goldman
Keeps getting awards for “Greenport The Show,” which he directed, edited and produced.

Bob Krakower
Our acclaimed acting coach is now also teaching at The Yale School of Drama and Julliard.

Wendy Makkena
Just wrapped on “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” with Tom Hanks.

Chazz Palminteri
Academy Award Nominee, recently on Broadway with “A Bronx Tale.”
Guest Mentors

Tony Goldwyn
Recently on Broadway in “Network” and a lifetime member of the Manhattan Film Institute family.

Marcia Gay Harden
Academy Award winning actress and one of our best guest artists and someone who continues to support us every year.

Chris Wedge
Academy Award winning director, and founder of Blue Sky Studios. An incredible storyteller who comes year after year to share his knowledge with our filmmakers.

Giancarlo Esposito
Emmy nominated actor for Breaking Bad, Giancarlo provided insight and inspiration for our young artists.

Goeffrey Owens
Actor known for his role as Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show. Geoffrey is the founder and artistic director of The Brooklyn Shakespeare Company.

William Finkelstein
Screenwriter, television producer, actor and television director. Credits include: Law & Order, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue.
Alumni News
Testimonials
I attended my first festival where Drained played at the Scout Film Festival and I had an amazing time there. I’ve been liking my first year at Syracuse a lot too! I’m definitely significantly ahead of the curve with all my experience from MFI in the entire process, from pre to post production.
Thank you for the life-changing experience you guys gave me at MFI last summer.You gave me a home and one of the best opportunities I could have ever had. This week, I am signing my first contract with an agency. I wanted to let you know because MFI has played such an important part in my life.
I would love to come every year. Spending 2 weeks creating with you, Shannon, Lisa and whoever else is there is pretty much an artists dream. To me, MFI is a magical bubble where for 2 weeks, we get to forget the outside world and create a little bit of magic ourselves.
Press
Fundraising
MFI is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3, organization that relies on people like you to spread the word about its course offerings and curated events. Please consider making a donation to support MFI and our mission to promote education and awareness for creative expression in the art of filmmaking on a local level. Donations are greatly appreciated!
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