NYFA Kazakhstan | College of Film, Media & Performing Arts
Source: https://kaz.nyfa.edu
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:34
NYFA Kazakhstan | College of Film, Media & Performing Arts
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WELCOME TO NYFA KAZAKHSTAN
Join and shape your future in visual storytelling.
Apply Now
Explore Programs
NYFA Kazakhstan
New York Film Academy (NYFA)
is proud to announce the opening of its newest location in
Kazakhstan
.
NYFA Kazakhstan
will welcome its first students in
Fall of 2025
, offering five of its most popular programs:
🎬 One-Year Filmmaking Certificate
✍️ One-Year Screenwriting Certificate
🎭 One-Year Acting for Film Certificate
🎮 One-Year Game Design Certificate
🧙 One-Year 3-D Animation and Visual Effects
Campus Location:
Hosted on Energo University's Creative Industries Park, NYFA Kazakhstan is located in a scenic villa in
Kaskelen
, just 20 km south of Almaty, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. The 1000-square-meter campus on 17 hectares of land offers stunning filming locations and modern facilities.
Faculty:
Professors from NYFA's US campuses will teach our programs in Kazakhstan, bringing cutting-edge industry expertise and practical knowledge into the classroom.
Academic Opportunities:
Credits earned in the
One-Year Filmmaking Certificate
are applicable toward advanced standing in NYFA one year programs in the U.S. (upon acceptance).
💰
Tuition Fees
Kazakhstani Nationals:
$18,000 USD
International Students:
$25,000 USD
🏞️
Beautiful Location
Film your projects in picturesque outdoor and indoor locations.
🎓
Pathway to Degrees
Continue your studies in NYFA U.S. campuses using credits from your certificate program.
Explore Our Full Course Catalog
Dive deeper into our programs and find the one that suits your creative path. Download the complete course catalog for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Download Catalog 2025–2026
Meet Our Faculty
Robert Pietri
BFA, Carnegie Mellon University; MFA, NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Dean’s Fellow)
Robert has worked across live-action, animation, and documentary. His films screened at AFI/DOCs, Animafest Zagreb, BFI London Film Festival, Tribeca, and more.
Read full bio
Pietri served in the United States Marine Corps and worked as an art director before committing to filmmaking. His first feature,
Semper Fidel
, was shot in Havana, Cuba. Robert continues to develop projects internationally and teaches directing at the New York Film Academy.
Kevin Caton-Largent
UC Merced (CS); MFA in Game Design, New York Film Academy
LA-based game designer, programmer, and educator. Teaches game design, AI, and programming; ships indie, AR/VR, and ed-tech projects.
Read full bio
Proficient in C++, C#, Python, Lua, Java. Projects include
Cambio
,
Knight & Gale
,
Aether Lance VR
. At TCL Studios built Python tooling with ML (Meta’s SAM2). Develops AR for Meta Quest/iOS and mentors production pipelines as NYFA Instructor and The Coder School teacher.
Mark Mocahbee
BS, MFA — University of Miami
35+ years as director, writer, actor, producer. Worked with Barry Levinson, Dustin Hoffman, Edward Albee, David Petrarca, Rebecca Miller.
Read full bio
Credits include top theatre venues (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Shakespeare & Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville). Former faculty at CCM (UC), Xavier, Miami University; currently teaches at NYFA.
Michael Dylan Rastrick
Emmy-nominated Documentary Producer
Credits:
A Class Apart
(Imagen Award),
The State of Arizona
(Emmy-nominated), Sony’s
Adventures of Robert Caro & Robert Gottlieb
, Tribeca Official Selections.
Read full bio
14 seasons with Sundance Film Festival (Non-Technical Production Manager; Filmmaker Office) covering U.S. Competition Documentary, Premieres, and World Documentary. Director of NYFA’s Miami College Campus & NYFA Harvard Summer Youth Programs.
Todd Bruno
Vanderbilt University — Theater degree
Todd Bruno is an award-winning actor, director, writer and producer, and a proud native of South Florida.
Read full bio
He is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York and has a Theater degree from Vanderbilt University. Best known for indie films Stratagem, Palace and Proximity, he is a veteran of more than 40 film productions and 50+ stage productions. Todd is on faculty at New York Film Academy, he recently completed a
live film
adaptation of Macbeth, and his latest film Corona Camp is set to release next year.
Derek Rein
Vancouver Film School — 3D Animation and Visual Effects
Derek Rein is a Senior Visual Effects Artist and Compositing Supervisor
Read full bio
Derek Rein is a Senior Visual Effects Artist and Compositing Supervisor with credits on major feature films including The Batman, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Fast & Furious franchise. With over a decade of industry experience, Derek brings both technical expertise and creative vision to his work. He first visited Almaty in 2019 and is excited to join the inaugural class at NYFA Almaty, helping students develop into world-class VFX professionals.
Igor Torgeson
MFA, Boston University — filmmaking
Igor Torgeson is an award-winning filmmaker, editor, and actor
Read full bio
Igor Torgeson is an award-winning filmmaker, editor, and actor. Over his career, he has worked for more than 20 clients, including National Geographic, PBS, the Game Show Network, Cessna Aircraft, and others, and has appeared in pilots and series for NBC, TBS, and Sony. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Igor has taught university classes in Editing, Directing, and Writing, as well as giving workshops and seminars in China, Russia, and across the United States.
Neal Leffler
Oral Roberts University
Neal has worked for NYFA since 2012 and is currently an Equipment Manager and Stage Manager.
Read full bio
He began working in stage and live television productions while still in high school and while attending Oral Roberts University for Business he continued his production work with the international broadcast live show with Richard Robert’s Something Good Tonight. Neal has continued work in all aspects of production from Gaffer to Art Direction and camera for projects as small student films to large studio produced dramas. While working with New York Film Academy he has used his knowledge and communication skills to help enrich the education provided to the students through assisting teachers in their lessons and giving students directed guidance on the more technical aspects of operating the tools and resources they are given access to. When not involved in NYFA Productions and classes, Neal is working to ensure the flow of resources to the students is as smooth as possible through the upkeep and repair of equipment and facilitating the checkouts and returns of the gear for assignments.
Apply Now
Explore Programs
WHY STUDY AT NYFA KAZAKHSTAN
Almaty, Kazakhstan, a city where the ancient Silk Road meets modern innovation, is a vibrant destination for creative minds.
With its stunning mountain backdrop, rich cultural heritage, and dynamic urban scene, Almaty offers endless inspiration.
At NYFA KAZAKHSTAN, students immerse themselves in the art of filmmaking for film while connecting deeply with the traditions and contemporary spirit of Kazakhstan.
As they write, direct, shoot, edit, and perform in their own films, the unique cultural landscape of Almaty shapes and enhances their creative journey, helping them build a diverse and compelling portfolio that reflects the heart of Central Asia.
Apply Now
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Apply for a NYFA Kazakhstan Scholarship
Study at New York Film Academy in Kaskelen on a 100% scholarship. Take part in our competition and win a 100% or 50% scholarship to the world-renowned Hollywood film academy — without leaving Kazakhstan. A scholarship is more than just a discount. It's your pathway into the industry.
Apply for Scholarship
Programs Offered
Explore 8-week Programs →
🎬
Filmmaking
The New York Film Academy One-Year Filmmaking Program offers hands-on training through lectures, seminars, and immersive workshops.
Students begin with short projects to build essential skills, then move on to final films.
The program provides a professional, intensive environment that fosters creativity and practical experience.
Graduates gain a strong foundation in filmmaking and apply their knowledge to their own projects.
🎮
Game Design
The NYFA One-Year Game Design Program is an intensive, full-time certificate course that immerses students in core aspects of game development.
The curriculum combines narrative, design theory, game art, and programming with hands-on workshops and prototyping.
It offers a creative and practical foundation for aspiring game developers, emphasizing both artistic growth and industry realities.
🎭
Acting for Film
An intensive course based on NYFA’s proven methodology.
Students master on-camera performance, voice, movement, stagecraft, and improvisation.
They create their own showreel and develop casting skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
🦖
3D Animation & Visual Effects
The New York Film Academy One-Year program in 3D Animation and VFX is a full-time conservatory course that trains students in all aspects of animation and visual effects.
With a hands-on approach, the program helps aspiring artists develop their skills in a creative and practical environment.
✏️
Screenwriting
The One-Year Screenwriting program offers a comprehensive look at the art of screenwriting through writing courses, as well as courses in film studies.
Students will be assigned several writing projects, which will be critiqued by their peers during in-class workshops.
Apply Now
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Meet Our Distinguished Alumni
Sanjar Madi
View Profile
Campus
The official NYFA campus has opened in Kaskelen — just 20 kilometers from Almaty, the cultural and technological capital of Kazakhstan.
The campus is located in a picturesque villa on the territory of the Creative Industries Park of the Energy University. Here, a complete space has been created for studying, filming, creative experiments, and immersion in the profession.
The campus features more than 1,000 square meters of professional sound stages, editing and recording studios, lecture halls, dressing rooms, and acting classrooms. Surrounding the campus are 17 hectares of natural landscapes: mountains, forest, natural light, and textures — a ready-made location for your first film projects.
Housing Gallery
NYFA Kazakhstan offers safe and comfortable housing options located in the heart of Almaty.
Students can choose from our luxurious, spacious designer apartments.
We offer shared double and single occupancy rooms in the residence.
Each apartment comes fully furnished with twin or double beds, living room, spacious bathroom and built-in kitchen.
Additionally, all apartments are equipped with a refrigerator, stove, sink, microwave, oven, dishwasher, washing machine and other amenities.
We also welcome students with families.
NYFA KAZAKHSTAN will provide direct return shuttles from the residence in Kaskelen to ensure the safety and comfort of the students.
Access to the fitness center and breakfasts are included in the price.
The residence has direct access to Esentai river and beautiful views of the mountains.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Have questions about our programs or the application process? We're here to help you take the first step toward your creative future.
Email Us
[email protected]
WhatsApp
https://wa.me/77085168697
Telegram
@nyfa_bot
Call Us
+7 708 070 5151
Almaty Location
Burashov Street, 37
Kaskelen, Almaty Region 040901
GET DIRECTIONS
Gallery
See more about life and events at NYFA Kazakhstan. Tap to explore our gallery!
Your browser does not support the video tag.
WELCOME TO NYFA KAZAKHSTAN
Join and shape your future in visual storytelling.
Apply Now
Explore Programs
NYFA Kazakhstan
New York Film Academy (NYFA)
is proud to announce the opening of its newest location in
Kazakhstan
.
NYFA Kazakhstan
will welcome its first students in
Fall of 2025
, offering five of its most popular programs:
🎬 One-Year Filmmaking Certificate
✍️ One-Year Screenwriting Certificate
🎭 One-Year Acting for Film Certificate
🎮 One-Year Game Design Certificate
🧙 One-Year 3-D Animation and Visual Effects
Campus Location:
Hosted on Energo University's Creative Industries Park, NYFA Kazakhstan is located in a scenic villa in
Kaskelen
, just 20 km south of Almaty, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. The 1000-square-meter campus on 17 hectares of land offers stunning filming locations and modern facilities.
Faculty:
Professors from NYFA's US campuses will teach our programs in Kazakhstan, bringing cutting-edge industry expertise and practical knowledge into the classroom.
Academic Opportunities:
Credits earned in the
One-Year Filmmaking Certificate
are applicable toward advanced standing in NYFA one year programs in the U.S. (upon acceptance).
💰
Tuition Fees
Kazakhstani Nationals:
$18,000 USD
International Students:
$25,000 USD
🏞️
Beautiful Location
Film your projects in picturesque outdoor and indoor locations.
🎓
Pathway to Degrees
Continue your studies in NYFA U.S. campuses using credits from your certificate program.
Explore Our Full Course Catalog
Dive deeper into our programs and find the one that suits your creative path. Download the complete course catalog for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Download Catalog 2025–2026
Meet Our Faculty
Robert Pietri
BFA, Carnegie Mellon University; MFA, NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Dean’s Fellow)
Robert has worked across live-action, animation, and documentary. His films screened at AFI/DOCs, Animafest Zagreb, BFI London Film Festival, Tribeca, and more.
Read full bio
Pietri served in the United States Marine Corps and worked as an art director before committing to filmmaking. His first feature,
Semper Fidel
, was shot in Havana, Cuba. Robert continues to develop projects internationally and teaches directing at the New York Film Academy.
Kevin Caton-Largent
UC Merced (CS); MFA in Game Design, New York Film Academy
LA-based game designer, programmer, and educator. Teaches game design, AI, and programming; ships indie, AR/VR, and ed-tech projects.
Read full bio
Proficient in C++, C#, Python, Lua, Java. Projects include
Cambio
,
Knight & Gale
,
Aether Lance VR
. At TCL Studios built Python tooling with ML (Meta’s SAM2). Develops AR for Meta Quest/iOS and mentors production pipelines as NYFA Instructor and The Coder School teacher.
Mark Mocahbee
BS, MFA — University of Miami
35+ years as director, writer, actor, producer. Worked with Barry Levinson, Dustin Hoffman, Edward Albee, David Petrarca, Rebecca Miller.
Read full bio
Credits include top theatre venues (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Shakespeare & Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville). Former faculty at CCM (UC), Xavier, Miami University; currently teaches at NYFA.
Michael Dylan Rastrick
Emmy-nominated Documentary Producer
Credits:
A Class Apart
(Imagen Award),
The State of Arizona
(Emmy-nominated), Sony’s
Adventures of Robert Caro & Robert Gottlieb
, Tribeca Official Selections.
Read full bio
14 seasons with Sundance Film Festival (Non-Technical Production Manager; Filmmaker Office) covering U.S. Competition Documentary, Premieres, and World Documentary. Director of NYFA’s Miami College Campus & NYFA Harvard Summer Youth Programs.
Todd Bruno
Vanderbilt University — Theater degree
Todd Bruno is an award-winning actor, director, writer and producer, and a proud native of South Florida.
Read full bio
He is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York and has a Theater degree from Vanderbilt University. Best known for indie films Stratagem, Palace and Proximity, he is a veteran of more than 40 film productions and 50+ stage productions. Todd is on faculty at New York Film Academy, he recently completed a
live film
adaptation of Macbeth, and his latest film Corona Camp is set to release next year.
Derek Rein
Vancouver Film School — 3D Animation and Visual Effects
Derek Rein is a Senior Visual Effects Artist and Compositing Supervisor
Read full bio
Derek Rein is a Senior Visual Effects Artist and Compositing Supervisor with credits on major feature films including The Batman, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Fast & Furious franchise. With over a decade of industry experience, Derek brings both technical expertise and creative vision to his work. He first visited Almaty in 2019 and is excited to join the inaugural class at NYFA Almaty, helping students develop into world-class VFX professionals.
Igor Torgeson
MFA, Boston University — filmmaking
Igor Torgeson is an award-winning filmmaker, editor, and actor
Read full bio
Igor Torgeson is an award-winning filmmaker, editor, and actor. Over his career, he has worked for more than 20 clients, including National Geographic, PBS, the Game Show Network, Cessna Aircraft, and others, and has appeared in pilots and series for NBC, TBS, and Sony. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Igor has taught university classes in Editing, Directing, and Writing, as well as giving workshops and seminars in China, Russia, and across the United States.
Neal Leffler
Oral Roberts University
Neal has worked for NYFA since 2012 and is currently an Equipment Manager and Stage Manager.
Read full bio
He began working in stage and live television productions while still in high school and while attending Oral Roberts University for Business he continued his production work with the international broadcast live show with Richard Robert’s Something Good Tonight. Neal has continued work in all aspects of production from Gaffer to Art Direction and camera for projects as small student films to large studio produced dramas. While working with New York Film Academy he has used his knowledge and communication skills to help enrich the education provided to the students through assisting teachers in their lessons and giving students directed guidance on the more technical aspects of operating the tools and resources they are given access to. When not involved in NYFA Productions and classes, Neal is working to ensure the flow of resources to the students is as smooth as possible through the upkeep and repair of equipment and facilitating the checkouts and returns of the gear for assignments.
Apply Now
Explore Programs
WHY STUDY AT NYFA KAZAKHSTAN
Almaty, Kazakhstan, a city where the ancient Silk Road meets modern innovation, is a vibrant destination for creative minds.
With its stunning mountain backdrop, rich cultural heritage, and dynamic urban scene, Almaty offers endless inspiration.
At NYFA KAZAKHSTAN, students immerse themselves in the art of filmmaking for film while connecting deeply with the traditions and contemporary spirit of Kazakhstan.
As they write, direct, shoot, edit, and perform in their own films, the unique cultural landscape of Almaty shapes and enhances their creative journey, helping them build a diverse and compelling portfolio that reflects the heart of Central Asia.
Apply Now
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Apply for a NYFA Kazakhstan Scholarship
Study at New York Film Academy in Kaskelen on a 100% scholarship. Take part in our competition and win a 100% or 50% scholarship to the world-renowned Hollywood film academy — without leaving Kazakhstan. A scholarship is more than just a discount. It's your pathway into the industry.
Apply for Scholarship
Programs Offered
Explore 8-week Programs →
🎬
Filmmaking
The New York Film Academy One-Year Filmmaking Program offers hands-on training through lectures, seminars, and immersive workshops.
Students begin with short projects to build essential skills, then move on to final films.
The program provides a professional, intensive environment that fosters creativity and practical experience.
Graduates gain a strong foundation in filmmaking and apply their knowledge to their own projects.
🎮
Game Design
The NYFA One-Year Game Design Program is an intensive, full-time certificate course that immerses students in core aspects of game development.
The curriculum combines narrative, design theory, game art, and programming with hands-on workshops and prototyping.
It offers a creative and practical foundation for aspiring game developers, emphasizing both artistic growth and industry realities.
🎭
Acting for Film
An intensive course based on NYFA’s proven methodology.
Students master on-camera performance, voice, movement, stagecraft, and improvisation.
They create their own showreel and develop casting skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
🦖
3D Animation & Visual Effects
The New York Film Academy One-Year program in 3D Animation and VFX is a full-time conservatory course that trains students in all aspects of animation and visual effects.
With a hands-on approach, the program helps aspiring artists develop their skills in a creative and practical environment.
✏️
Screenwriting
The One-Year Screenwriting program offers a comprehensive look at the art of screenwriting through writing courses, as well as courses in film studies.
Students will be assigned several writing projects, which will be critiqued by their peers during in-class workshops.
Apply Now
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Meet Our Distinguished Alumni
Sanjar Madi
View Profile
Campus
The official NYFA campus has opened in Kaskelen — just 20 kilometers from Almaty, the cultural and technological capital of Kazakhstan.
The campus is located in a picturesque villa on the territory of the Creative Industries Park of the Energy University. Here, a complete space has been created for studying, filming, creative experiments, and immersion in the profession.
The campus features more than 1,000 square meters of professional sound stages, editing and recording studios, lecture halls, dressing rooms, and acting classrooms. Surrounding the campus are 17 hectares of natural landscapes: mountains, forest, natural light, and textures — a ready-made location for your first film projects.
Housing Gallery
NYFA Kazakhstan offers safe and comfortable housing options located in the heart of Almaty.
Students can choose from our luxurious, spacious designer apartments.
We offer shared double and single occupancy rooms in the residence.
Each apartment comes fully furnished with twin or double beds, living room, spacious bathroom and built-in kitchen.
Additionally, all apartments are equipped with a refrigerator, stove, sink, microwave, oven, dishwasher, washing machine and other amenities.
We also welcome students with families.
NYFA KAZAKHSTAN will provide direct return shuttles from the residence in Kaskelen to ensure the safety and comfort of the students.
Access to the fitness center and breakfasts are included in the price.
The residence has direct access to Esentai river and beautiful views of the mountains.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Have questions about our programs or the application process? We're here to help you take the first step toward your creative future.
Email Us
[email protected]
https://wa.me/77085168697
Telegram
@nyfa_bot
Call Us
+7 708 070 5151
Almaty Location
Burashov Street, 37
Kaskelen, Almaty Region 040901
GET DIRECTIONS
Gallery
See more about life and events at NYFA Kazakhstan. Tap to explore our gallery!