This summer 2017, the New York Film Academy will be hosting workshops and film classes taught by leading industry professionals. The NYFA is considered the best hands-on film school in the world by many of today's top filmmakers. The student body is remarkably diverse across the New York City, Los Angeles and South Beach campuses.

The New York Film Academy was founded on the philosophy that ‘learning by doing’ combined with best industry practices is more valuable than years of theoretical study for filmmakers and actors. This educational model allows students to achieve more in less time than at all other film or acting schools in the world.

Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Al Pacino, Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, and Jodie Foster are among the many figures in the film industry who have sent their family members to study at the New York Film Academy. The NYFA is honored to be the film and acting school of choice of these other luminaries including Kevin Kline, Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Bono (U2), directors Stephen Frears, Peter Bogdanovich, Roger Donaldson and James L. Brooks.

For those considering sharpening their skills, the NYFA offers a wide selection of immersive, hands-on workshops, where working industry professionals teach students to create their own original work using the latest techniques, industry-standard equipment, and premier facilities. Students interested an intensive short-term workshop can choose from topics in filmmaking, acting for film, photography, producing, screenwriting, documentary filmmaking, broadcast journalism, 3D animation, digital editing, game design, virtual reality, and musical theatre.

In addition to the summer courses, the NYFA offers camps, short-term workshops, conservatory-style programs, and degree programs. The Academy’s one and two-year conservatory-style programs include topics in Filmmaking, Acting for Film, Producing, Screenwriting, 3D Animation, Cinematography, Broadcast Journalism, Photography, Graphic Design, Musical Theatre, and Game Design, as well as an accelerated three-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs in Filmmaking, Acting for Film, Producing, Screenwriting, 3D Animation, Graphic Design, and Game Design, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Media Studies.

The school also offers two-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in Filmmaking, Acting for Film, Screenwriting, Producing, Cinematography, Documentary, Game Design and Photography, and two-year Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degrees in Filmmaking, Acting for Film, Producing, Screenwriting and Game Design, and a Master of Arts (MA) in Film and Media Production at the Los Angeles campus. Each program is structured for students who want intensive training from award-winning faculty, using professional facilities and equipment starting their first day of classes; better preparing them for a career in the motion picture and entertainment industries. In the first year of any of our filmmaking programs each student will write, shoot, direct and edit eight films and work as crew on 28 more!

About the Faculty

Claude Kerven - Director and Screenwriter
Chair, Filmmaking Program at New York Film Academy

Claude Kerven's career as a professional director began with the outstanding debut of "Candy Store," winner of a student Academy Award for Best Dramatic Student Film. In 1982, he directed a series of after-school specials for ABC TV including the Emmy-winning "Starstruck," and the DGA nominated "High School Narc." Kerven also earned a Cable Ace award nomination for his direction of Jim Belushi's Cinemax comedy special "Birthday Boy" and was the director of over 25 short films for Saturday Night Live including the much celebrated "Synchronized Swimmers" starring Martin Short, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer.

As a directing and screenwriting instructor, Kerven has taught at a number of prestigious film schools (NYU, SVA) before taking on the position of Chair at the New York Film Academy, a role he has held now for over 12 years.

Susan Lambert - Singer, Actress, Producer
Vocal Technique Teacher, Workshop Leader & Coach

Susan Lambert has been concertizing on world stages and in intimate venues for 25 years as well as premiering new works and working in the theatre around the U.S. and Europe as a high profile actress on stage and in television. She has designed arts programs for young people in universities and high schools and freelance and has taught and performed in Greece since 1985.

Susan’s great love is teaching, whether it be acting classes, private voice lessons, or workshops. She has taught Broadway performers, opera singers, pop recording artists, actors form the stage and screen and people who just love to perform as well as teaching hundreds of young students throughout the years!

Phaedra Soutou
Choreographer, Dramaturg, Dancer, Performer

Phaedra Soutou teaches workshops in physical theatre, contemporary dance, and improvisation. A graduate of the Professional School of Dance of Despina Grigoriadou, she also studied Dramaturgy in the theater department of the National Kapodistrian University in Athens, Greece, graduating from the higher dramatic school "Ebros" and going on to hold a Vaganova diploma (Master's in Choreography and Teaching) from the Varna International Dance Academy, Bulgaria.

Anthoula Katsimatides
Actress, Teacher

Anthoula, a true artist at heart, was born and raised in Astoria, Queens and is eagerly pursuing her acting career. Anthoula has played parts in major films such as “Taking Woodstock” (directed by Oscar-winner Ang Lee) and “The Family” (starring Robert Deniro and Michelle Pfeifer and directed by the incredible Luc Besson). In addition to her major acting roles, she has developed her own one-woman show, called “What Will People Think?” and has performed sold-out shows at festivals in NYC.

Dr. Eugenia Arsenis
Director, Dramaturg, Teacher

Eugenia Arsenis has collaborated with international cultural organizations, Royal Albert Hall, San Francisco Opera Center, Center for Contemporary Opera, Skylight Music Theatre. She has worked as Dramaturg of the Center for Contemporary Opera in New York. Coordinator and Dramaturg of the Experimental Stage of the Greek National Opera under the artistic direction of Theodore Antoniou, throughout all the years of its artistic operation. A speaker at international conferences, she has taught at many Universities and Conservatories.

For more information, please visit: NYFA

Photo Credit: NYFA

Located on the narrow steps of Mnisikleous Street in the heart of Plaka, Yiasemi Bistrot was selected by the editors of Condé Nast Traveler magazine as one of the world's favourite secret destinations that they love to visit during their off-the-beaten-path vacations.

With tables on the steps of a picturesque alley and an interior that reminds you of a hospitable house set in a bygone era, Yiasemi truly prevails as a small treasure hidden in the narrow streets of the most beautiful neighbourhood in Athens, Plaka.

Owner Mariza Kouzeli, who has spent the last eight years of her life turning an old building into this special gem, has managed, through hard work and the marriage of traditional and modern concepts, to find ways to turn her café into a street landmark where customers can go from early in the morning until the late hours of night and immerse in its cosy atmosphere, taste homemade food, delicious spoon sweets as well as genuine Greek coffee.

Yiasemi

Address: Mnisikleous 23
Telephone: 213 041 7937
Hours: Every day from 10:00 to 02:00

To read this article in full, please visit: Neos Kosmos

Photo Credit: Yiasemi Facebook

Greece is among the winners of the 2017 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, Europe’s top honor in the heritage field.

Greece received two awards in the 'Conservation' category for the Ancient city of Karthaia on the island of Kea and the Bastion of the Grand Master’s Palace on Rhodes.

With its two wins, Greece automatically has two entries in the Europa Nostra’s Public Choice vote for the 29 winners.

The project, directed by a Scientific Committee under directorate of the Greek Culture Ministry, offers visitors a glimpse into the past following the conservation, partial restoration and interpretation of the ruins of the ancient city of Karthaia, located on the island of Kea.

The site is one of few examples in Greece where both the unspoiled natural landscape and the planning of the city are well preserved.

The remains of the city include both temples and public buildings and are found on the southeast coast of the island which can only be reached by traditional footpaths or by sea.

People can now vote online for the Public Choice Award and rally support for the winning projects from their own or another European country. Vote now!

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Navarino Challenge, the award-winning sports tourism event, which promotes sports and fair play, is yet again adding more activities for the entire family, in its program! Between October 13 and 15 2017, Costa Navarino, with the support of Swim Academy, will host already familiar water activities such as baby swimming (for babies and children ranging from 3 months to 3 years old) and aqua aerobic (considered the most popular aerobic exercise).

The Federal Technical Coach of Swimming and Swim Academy representative, Nikos Gemelos, who is taking part in the event yet again, stated, “It gives me great pleasure and honor to have been cooperating with the Navarino challenge event all these years. From the technical point of view regarding the swimming competitions, I have observed that more and more people are embracing the sport of open water swimming and I feel even more proud to be able, along with my team, to offer the necessary safety that is needed for these races, while leaving to the participants a great experience. With the help of Swim Academy and my close colleague, Silver Olympic Medalist and World Champion in open water swimming Spyros Gianniotis, we will be presenting for this second year, activities that gave to the parents and children great joy, such as baby swimming for children up to three years old but also aqua aerobic, which took place for the first time last year and proved to be extremely successful."

 

Furthermore, Navarino Challenge 2017, will also host another Olympic event, the sport of tennis. With the support of Navarino Racquet Academy, amateur and medium level athletes of tennis will have the opportunity to try out the Tennis Cross Training.

It’s a workout program which combines tennis and cross training (which is a type of workout that combines muscular empowerment and cardio respiratory toning, using one’s body weight but also actual weights – depending on the trainee’s level – accompanied by music). It offers a full body workout and improves strength, stamina and flexibility while creating a sense of teamwork for those taking part. Tennis Cross Training can apply to all levels of technical knowledge and physical ability. Meanwhile the experienced staff of Panellinios Agora Games will support the activity of a Padel Family Competition which is ideal for the entire family.

The Navarino Challenge will take place for another year with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Official Sponsor: Vikos natural mineral water

Official Supporter: Wyndham Grand Athens

Assisted: Swim Academy, Navarino Racquet Academy

 

Photo Credit: Vangelis Patsialos @ Navarino Challenge

Greece is the ultimate summer holiday destination, with stunning beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, unique shopping, and incredible experiences. No matter what type of holiday you dream of, the perfect island awaits, be it the iconic Mykonos for endless partying or the hippie island of Ikaria for ultimate relaxation. 

But what happens when you're traveling with kids? Is Greece a family-friendly destination? The answer is YES! Greece is a fantastic destination for a family holiday. And, since Greece's unbelievable coastline may make it a bit hard to choose where to go, here's a list of our top 5 islands for the perfect family vacation!

Sifnos


@anna_sarika

This is an island where you can look forward to lazy days watching your kids play on sheltered, shallow-water beaches followed by leisurely strolls along labyrinthine streets or remote pathways overlooking the sea. To eat you’ll find simple, traditional Mediterranean cooking at its finest: crisp chickpea patties, juicy tomato salads, and fresh seafood in familial village squares. 

Indeed, a classic way to holiday here is to rent a small boat and spend days swanning around, stopping off anywhere and everywhere to plunge into the cool depths, getting your land legs back just long enough for a spot of lunch before returning to aquatic adventuring. That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of child-friendly beaches to kick back on, with sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.

Naxos


@victor_manolito

Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, is definitely an ideal destination for families. It majestically combines long, sandy beaches with fertile valleys, stunning gorges, and a bit of history. Not to mention its delicious cuisine based on local products. Last but not least, Naxos incorporates the communities of four additional smaller isles, Donousa, Schoinousa, Iraklia, and Koufonisia, so you’ll get to enjoy a trip to an unspoiled paradise!

Alonnisos


@elaki26

On the edge of the Sporades archipelago lies the island of Alonissos, ready to captivate you with its green landscape and pristine beaches. The ideal destination for a relaxing holiday, there, you’ll find yourselves leisurely walking along scenic paths surrounded by pine forests, olive groves, and orchards. The island’s highlight is definitely its marine park, a refuge for rare seabirds, dolphins, and the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus Monachus.

 

So close to Athens yet so far away, Andros, the second-largest and the greenest island of the Cyclades, has everything you need for the ultimate vacation. With lush vegetation, deep blue waters, and rushing rivers, Andros’ breathtaking natural beauty makes it the perfect island for a tranquil holiday. If you love spending time as a family, there are numerous experiences awaiting from hiking along the well-marked trails to visiting world-class modern art museums!

 

Two 20-year-old cyclists began a trip from Athens to Kassel during the opening of Documents 14 to convey a message of art and solidarity. They will ride their bikes for 100 days, traveling a distance of about 4,000km across 14 European countries to the German city of Kassel. They will arrive just in time for the second part of the Documenta 14 show.

From Greece, the cyclists will travel through Albania, FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic with their message of unity and tolerance.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Blue Flag project, Greek beaches have consecutively been listed in the top three spots of the highly coveted program, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) said.

According to EEPF, which has been responsible for the Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) Blue Flag program in Greece since 1992, its aim is to achieve the first place for Greek beaches and coasts. Of the 3,568 beaches awarded today, 430 are in Greece.

The Blue Flag Program labels beaches and marinas as well as sustainable boating tourism operators appropriate for swimming based on cleanness, water quality, organization, safety and services, environmental management and protection and certifies the best every year ahead of summer.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

For the first time, the prestigious contemporary art exhibition Documenta 14 opened in a city other than Kassel, Germany, where it has been held every five years since 1955. The two locations of Documenta are at the heart of artistic director Adam Szymczyk’s concept.

Titled Learning from Athens, the exhibition wants viewers to in fact “unlearn what we know” and to “immerse ourselves in the darkness of not knowing instead of pretending to know enough in advance,” Szymczyk said.

Set against the backdrop of Greece’s social and economic woes, displacement, colonialism, violence and protest are among Documenta 14’s central themes.

In Athens, the Documenta team is collaborating with around 40 local institutions, including the Benaki Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Numismatic Museum and as the First Cemetery of Athens where the American artist Pope.L will be performing his Whispering Campaign (2016-17) in which five performers will roam the city whispering their observations to the public.

Visitors to Documenta 14 at EMST are greeted by a large container of olives titled Payment of Greek Debt to Germany with Olives and Art by Marta Minujin, an explicit reference to the Greek financial crisis.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Art Newspaper

 

Photo Credit: taken by Stathis Mamalakis of Sergio Zevallos’ performance, 2016

While the islands and villages of Greece are known for their religious festivals during the period of resurrection, spending Greek Orthodox Easter in Athens is as memorable as it is spiritual. Athens is home to some of the most beautiful and historical churches in Greece and the city has its finest moments under candlelight for the traditional services during holy week.

On Easter Saturday, in a ritual conducted for over 1,200 years, the ‘Holy Fire’ is lit at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. The light is then flown into Athens on a specially chartered flight and received by the “Metohi tou Panagiou Tafou” church in Plaka where candles are lit and then dispersed to churches throughout the Attica region in time for the start of resurrection services.

How to spend Greek Orthodox Easter in Athens? Hearing the haunting ‘Hymn of Kassiani’ on Holy Tuesday, take communion at a 1,000 year-old church on Holy Wednesday, or hear a Byzantine Choir and follow and a candlelit procession through the streets!

To read this article in full, please visit: Why Athens

 

Photo Credit: Why Athens

Corfu is again the top destination for the upcoming Easter holiday period in Greece and visitors from Athens, Thessaloniki and from every island, village and town around Greece will be making their way across to Corfu to celebrate Holy Week.

It has been said by many that if you only get one chance in a lifetime to visit Corfu, Easter week is the time to be there. Many visitors from overseas also arrive to see Corfu’s natural and cultural beauty come to life- as Greek Easter traditions are celebrated all around the island.

The Easter period begins in Corfu on Palm Sunday- At 11am the procession of the holy body of Saint Spyridon takes place. It is a custom dating back to 1630, in memoriam of the relief of the island of the Plague, which, in 1629, had claimed many victims from the people of Corfu. All 15 philharmonic bands of the island take part in that procession. At lunch people enjoy the traditional dish of the day- stock fish or haddock with skordalia (garlic mash potato).

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek City Times