The New York Film Academy Florence semester program, offered through WorldStrides, places you at the heart of one of the world's most visually inspiring cities to pursue an intensive, hands-on education in either Filmmaking or Acting for Film. Located just steps from Piazza Santa Croce and built on the ruins of a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater, the NYFA Florence campus is as historically rich as it is creatively stimulating. All instruction is conducted in English, so no prior Italian language experience is required—just a passion for storytelling and a readiness to immerse yourself in the craft.

If you choose the Filmmaking track, you'll enroll in six preselected courses (13 U.S. credits) covering Camera & Lighting, Digital Editing, Director's Craft, Production Workshop, Screenwriting, and Acting for Directors. From your very first week, you'll be performing test shoots, learning lighting fundamentals, and mastering nonlinear editing. As the semester progresses, your projects grow in complexity—from short exercises to fully realized dialogue-driven films shot on high-definition video. Outside of class, you'll scout locations across Florence, cast local talent, write scripts, and edit your work independently and collaboratively. Note that an additional $1,160 equipment fee applies for this track.

If you choose the Acting for Film track, you'll enroll in four preselected courses (12 U.S. credits): Acting for Film, Technique & Scene Study, Voice & Movement, and Filmcraft. You'll develop your instrument through intensive scene work, monologue performance, and on-camera technique, with a strong focus on subtlety, nuance, and adjusting your performance for different shot sizes. The Voice & Movement course draws on Fitzmaurice Voicework, Linklater, Suzuki Method, Viewpoints, and Chekhov Technique, among others, to help you fully embody a character. The Filmcraft course gives you hands-on exposure to directing, cinematography, and editing, so you understand the full production world you'll be performing in.

Both tracks share a collaborative spirit—you are expected not only to complete your own creative work but also to contribute as a crew member on your peers' projects. Classes run Monday through Friday, with potential Saturday sessions, and production workshops take place on weekends. Your transcript is issued directly by the New York Film Academy, which is accredited by both NASAD and WASC, and you'll need to coordinate credit transfer with your home institution.

Beyond the classroom, Florence itself becomes your film set and creative laboratory. Cultural activities included in your program range from gelato-making workshops to hands-on Italian cooking classes. You'll receive airport greeting, an in-depth orientation on arrival, and ongoing support from a dedicated local team. Housing options include off-campus apartments, homestays with local families, a student residence with amenities like a rooftop pool and gym, or independent housing. International insurance, 24/7 emergency support, mental health resources, and a mobile app for real-time assistance are all included in your program fee. This program is ideal for students aged 18 and older with a minimum 2.5 GPA who are serious about developing their craft in one of history's most cinematic cities.