NYFA's Global Talent Pipeline Fuels the 98th Academy Awards

NEW YORK, NY – March 05, 2026 – The road to the 98th Academy Awards is paved with global talent, and a significant portion of that talent traces its roots back to the classrooms of the New York Film Academy (NYFA). This year, the institution is celebrating a remarkable showing on the world's most prestigious cinematic stage, with alumni and faculty playing pivotal roles in Oscar-nominated films and a slate of four official international feature submissions. The recognition underscores NYFA's position not just as a film school, but as a global incubator for storytellers shaping contemporary cinema.

A Quartet of Nations, A Singular Impact

A testament to its international reach, four NYFA alumni are behind the official Oscar submissions for Best International Feature Film from their respective home countries. While only one film per nation can be submitted, this quartet of selections highlights the leadership and artistic vision of NYFA graduates within their national film industries.

Egypt has put forward "Happy Birthday," a powerful drama exploring class disparity in Cairo that already won Best International Narrative Feature at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. The film was co-written and produced by Mohamed Diab, a NYFA screenwriting alumnus whose career includes the critically acclaimed "Clash" and directing for Marvel's "Moon Knight."

From the United Kingdom comes "My Father's Shadow," directed and co-written by alumnus Akinola Davies Jr. The film made history as the first Nigerian film in Cannes' official selection and recently won a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Davies Jr., whose short film "Lizard" previously won a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, is a powerful voice in the British-Nigerian film scene.

Saudi Arabia's burgeoning film industry is represented by "Hijra," a poetic road movie from writer-director and NYFA alumna Shahad Ameen. Following her Venice Film Festival-premiering debut "Scales," Ameen continues to be a pioneering female voice, exploring themes of womanhood and identity that are resonating globally.

Rounding out the group is Haiti's submission, "Kidnapping Inc.," a pulse-pounding crime comedy with sharp social commentary directed, written, and produced by alumnus Bruno Mourral. The film's selection is a beacon for Haitian cinema, demonstrating the power of local stories on the international stage.

From Classroom Theory to Red Carpet Reality

The academy's influence extends beyond its alumni network and directly into the heart of this year's nominations through its faculty and current students. The Oscar-nominated short film "The Singers" features NYFA producing and screenwriting instructor Harrison Allen as Co-Executive Producer. The film, lauded for its authenticity in casting first-time actors discovered via social media, also had Alek Berberoglu, a current NYFA filmmaking student, working on the project. This direct pipeline from the classroom to an Oscar-nominated set, now streaming on Netflix, exemplifies the academy's hands-on ethos.

Further cementing this connection is faculty member Paula Goldstein, who contributed her talents as a Lighting Artist to Disney's "Zootopia 2," nominated for Best Animated Feature Film. Goldstein’s involvement in a major studio blockbuster reflects the caliber of working professionals who guide NYFA students. "Working as a Lighting Artist on Zootopia 2 was such a rewarding experience," Goldstein stated in the press release. "It really showed how much teamwork goes into making an animated film... I loved being part of a team that cared so deeply about both craft and storytelling.” Her experience provides students with invaluable, up-to-the-minute industry insights.

The NYFA Model: A Blueprint for Global Storytelling

This wave of success is no accident; it's the result of a deliberate educational model focused on global reach and practical application. With campuses in New York, Los Angeles, Florence, and a new location in Kazakhstan, NYFA immerses students in a multicultural environment. Nearly half of its student body hails from over 160 countries, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives within every workshop and class.

The institution's "learning-by-doing" philosophy ensures that students are behind a camera or on a set from day one, an approach that prepares them for the rigors of the professional world. Programs like the "Pathway Track" are specifically designed to support international students, further cementing the school's commitment to fostering a diverse talent pool.

"NYFA’s mission has always been to empower artists to tell bold, meaningful stories," said Crickett Rumley, the Senior Director of the Film Festival Department at the New York Film Academy, in a statement. "Seeing our faculty and alumni contribute to Oscar-nominated projects and represent their countries, industries, and NYFA on the international stage is a powerful reflection of that mission in action.”

Standing Tall in a Competitive Field

The film school landscape is fiercely competitive, with institutions like the American Film Institute (AFI) and the University of Southern California (USC) consistently producing Oscar-winning talent. This year is no exception, with AFI alumni securing numerous nominations across cinematography and short film categories, and USC alumnus Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners" earning a staggering 16 nominations.

In this elite company, NYFA's achievements stand out for their distinct international flavor. While other schools also boast global alumni, NYFA's specific success with four separate international submissions from four different continents in a single year is a powerful statement. It highlights a unique strength in cultivating filmmakers who not only succeed in Hollywood but also become leading voices in their own national cinemas, enriching the global film ecosystem as a whole.

The recognition for faculty and students on projects like "The Singers" and "Zootopia 2" further demonstrates that the academy's integration with the industry is happening at all levels, from blockbuster animation to independent short films. This year's Oscar nominations are not just a list of accolades for individuals; they are a validation of an educational philosophy that champions diverse voices, practical skills, and global collaboration. As the film industry continues to evolve, the stories being told by these NYFA-trained artists are proving essential, captivating audiences and critics alike.