Unlock Your Creativity: JBFC Announces Free Spring Fellowships for Aspiring Teen Filmmakers
If you’ve got a teen who dreams about entering the world of film and cinema, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is the place to be this spring, with exciting free fellowships beginning in March. JBFC recently announced the launch of two intensive fellowships for high school students in both 10th and 11th grades. The fellowships are part of the Director’s Cut High School Fellowship program offered by JBFC. The upcoming spring fellowships provide an incredible opportunity for local students to break into the industry, learn from industry leaders, and gain hands-on experience that could be invaluable to young aspiring filmmakers in Westchester.
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About Jacob Burns Film Center
The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC), founded in 2001, is a vibrant cultural hub connecting audiences, students, and filmmakers through cinema. Each year, over 200,000 visitors enjoy more than 400 films and over 100 special events featuring discussions with industry professionals.
Located on the top floor of the theater, the Take 3 Wine Bar & Café offers gourmet food and drinks in a setting filled with art. Nearby, the JBFC Media Arts Lab is a 27,000-square-foot facility that supports educational programs for over 5,000 students from under-resourced schools each year, offering many opportunities for free. Since 2009, the JBFC has hosted numerous artists-in-residence, including renowned filmmakers.
Director’s Cut Fellowship Program
The Director’s Cut program offers fellowships in Documentary and Narrative Filmmaking. The program works in collaboration with NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Imagine Entertainment.
Imagine Entertainment, co-founded by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, has teamed up with the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) to help the Director’s Cut: Documentary Filmmaking Fellowship. This partnership will help students gain valuable industry knowledge and hands-on filmmaking experience. Imagine Entertainment, known for its famous films and innovative documentaries, will hold virtual sessions and allow in-person visits to their offices.
The NYU Tisch School of the Arts has trained artists for over 50 years. Tisch assists with providing the many artistic and cultural resources of New York City and New York University. The school offers a variety of courses, such as acting, dance, cinema studies, dramatic writing, and game design. For more information, visit www.tisch.nyu.edu.
The fall also brings fellowships for emerging screenwriters in English and Spanish. These competitive programs are currently accepting applications. The selection process, which includes an application and interview, seeks dedicated candidates who are eager to enhance their creativity, technical skills, and industry knowledge.
What Students Can Expect
Taking place on the JBFC campus at the Media Arts Lab at 405 Manville Road, Pleasantville, both fellowships will be limited to 10 students and will be taught by Anthony Q. Artis, who serves as Adjunct Faculty at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Director’s Cut: Documentary Filmmaking
Dates: March 22 – June 14, 2025 (10 Saturdays)
Students will work together to produce a collaborative short documentary, engage in four Zoom sessions with experts from Imagine Entertainment, and tour the Imagine Entertainment offices. The program concludes with a showcase screening and Q&A session at the JBFC Theater.
Director’s Cut: Narrative Filmmaking
Dates: March 23 – June 8, 2025 (8 Sundays)
Students will team up as a crew to create a short narrative film, acquiring fundamental skills through practical demonstrations, test shoots, and screenings. The program will also end with a showcase screening and Q&A at the JBFC Theater.
Mary Jo Ziesel, JBFC Executive Director, shared, “This fellowship offers an incredible opportunity for high school students to learn from industry leaders. With Imagine Entertainment’s decades of award-winning expertise and the renowned academics of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, students will gain unparalleled insights and develop professional skills to shape their futures in film and media. By making this program free and providing stipends to offset costs, we are removing financial barriers and ensuring access for the most dedicated and enthusiastic young filmmakers.”
Applications for both programs are now open! The deadline to apply for both fellowships is Sunday, February 23. For complete application details, head to burnsfilmcenter.org.
