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SOCAPA CITY CINEMA

A groundbreaking, year-round extracurricular film and acting program for high school teens in the heart of New York City.

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City Cinema

Professional Cinema Training for New York City High School Students

Film program filming on Brooklyn Bridge

City Cinema

FILMMAKING

Our filmmaking program immerses students in the art and craft of visual storytelling, combining captivating lectures with hands-on projects to spark creativity and hone each student’s technical expertise. Guided by industry professionals, students will embark on an exciting journey through the dynamic world of digital media.

Film Program Details
Acting Class in NYC

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ACTING

Our acting program provides actors with versatile training for stage and screen, led by seasoned industry professionals. Our "toolbox" method ensures each student discovers their unique approach to the craft.

Acting Program Details

Year-round Course Offerings

City Cinema classes run through the academic year and over the summer, offering points of entry into the program at any time.

12-Week

Fall & Spring Semester Classes

Our fall and winter/spring semester classes run over the course of 12 weeks, primarily meeting either on Saturday or Sundays from 11am - 6pm. All sections will attend two special events on select Fridays and will have a combined final showcase and gala on the last day of the program.

Winter/Spring Application

3-Week

Pre-College Summer Intensives

Join the SOCAPA family by taking part in the summer program where it all began. We’ve trained thousands of young artists over the last 24 years and are happy to offer our time-tested summer courses as part of your two-year track as a City Cinema student.

Summer Application
Teen Film Students Make Movie in NYC
World Class Education

For over 20 years, SOCAPA has proudly assembled a faculty of the highest caliber to mentor the next generation of creatives. Our film instructors bring a wealth of experience, having showcased their work at prestigious festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, Venice, TIFF, and Berlin, while also making their mark in the television industry as writers and directors. Additionally, many serve as current professors at leading film programs like Columbia University and NYU. Our acting instructors combine the expertise of Broadway veterans with accomplished Film and TV actors who have contributed to some of the biggest films of the past few decades.

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The Progression

Your storytelling journey starts here

Over the course of our two-year curriculum, students master storytelling and technical skills in front of and behind the camera through a combination of lectures and hands-on short film productions.

A Feature Film Every Two Years

SOCAPA City Cinema centers around a ground breaking feature film model designed to provide unparalleled cinema training to students in front of and behind the camera. Every two years, students in both our filmmaking and acting programs will get the opportunity to take part in a full-length feature film production that’s written and directed by notable filmmakers and led by veteran department heads who will mentor students through the process.

Join the Crew

For every feature production, we will be actively assembling our crew and casting for actors, prioritizing previous SOCAPA City Cinema students. To get on our radar, simply enroll and complete at least one class. The more you engage with our two-year track, the greater opportunities you’ll have to participate in the feature production.

Choose One Class or the Full Track

The program’s flexible structure allows students to join at various stages of their development, with onboarding available throughout our fall, spring, and summer sessions. While our introductory “FilmLaunch” and “The Actor’s Lab” courses are a great option for artists working at any level, it is possible for more experienced students to skip ahead and jump right into our Core classes.

Union Square, NYC Campus
NYC Actors on Stage
Teen Actor's Headshot

Manhattan Campus, Union Square

Upcoming 2026 Winter/Spring Semester Weekend Programs & Summer Intensives

In the Winter/Spring semester, City Cinema offers 12-week programs that meet either on Saturdays or Sundays, starting in mid-January. In the summer, we offer two 3-week sessions for our Summer Intensives: Session One starts June 29 and Session Two starts July 20.

12-Week Winter/Spring Semester Weekend Programs

The 12-week intensive schedule allows students time to work on multiple projects, collaborate with peers, and refine their craft.
Film Launch — Actor's Lab

Dates: Jan 24 — Apr 25, 2026
Meets Saturdays, 11am-6pm

Film II, Cinematech & Documentary & Acting II — Art of the Scene

Dates: Jan 25 — Apr 26, 2026
Meets Sundays, 11am-6pm

Winter/Spring Application

3-Week Summer Intensives

The full three-week intensive schedule allows students time to work on multiple projects, collaborate with peers, and refine their craft.
Session One

Dates: June 29 — July 17, 2026
Meets Monday through Friday, 10:30am-5pm, does not meet on July 4th

Session Two

Dates: July 20 - August 7, 2026
Meets Monday through Friday, 10:30am-4:30pm

Starting Jan 24, 2026

FILMLAUNCH

FilmLaunch offers an exciting introduction to the dynamic world of digital media. Students will embark on a journey through the rich legacy of cinematic storytelling, exploring everything from the origins of the first moving images to the evolution of film, all the way to the video content we consume on our phones today. The course emphasizes how stories can drive change in the world, analyzing works from revolutionary filmmakers, especially those rooted in New York City—home to some of the greatest stories ever told. As the storytellers of tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on technical filmmaking, culminating in a collaborative project where you will work in teams to write, direct, and produce a short film together.

Sign Up Faculty
Young Filmmaker Edits Movie

Starts Jan 24, 2025

ACTOR'SLAB

The Actor's Lab introduces SOCAPA City Cinema’s innovative "toolbox" approach to acting, allowing students to explore a variety of techniques and discover what resonates most with their unique style. Participants will actively engage with these methods through scenes curated by the instructor, and they will have the chance to apply their skills in student short films produced by their filmmaking peers. This immersive experience fosters creativity and collaboration, empowering students to develop their craft in a dynamic environment.

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High School Actors Perform Scene

Starting Jan 21, 2026

WRITERSROOM

Writers Room immerses students in the fundamentals of screenwriting, from idea generation and narrative structure to developing characters and crafting authentic scenes. Designed for aspiring writers, the course provides hands-on experience in writing short screenplays and developing treatments for feature films and TV pilots. Alongside writing exercises, you’ll gain insight into the industry’s inner workings, preparing you for the dynamic world of film and television writing.

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Young Filmmaker Edits Movie

F.A.Q.

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City Cinema Summer '25

Student Work

Check out some student films from our Summer 2025 programs!

More City Cinema Student Films

City Cinema

Empowering the next generation of NYC voices

In a world saturated with media, we empower teens to become not just consumers, but creators and critics of the stories that shape our lives. Join us and transform your passion into a powerful tool for change—your storytelling journey starts here!

Apply Today
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