From the very start, Enmanuel Mejia’s passion for the arts and cinema has been an integral part of who he is. He has always found the profound impact that film can have on an individual’s life, the ability to connect with memories and emotions, to be fascinating. “Since childhood, I’ve always been passionate about arts and cinema,” Enmanuel shares, “These unique filmmaking characteristics always make me want to work on a cinema-related project.”

To help follow his dreams, Enmanuel enrolled in the online NYU Tisch Film and TV Industry Essentials course, powered by Yellowbrick. The course includes video lessons from major Hollywood directors and producers like Ang Lee and Judd Apatow, and is guided by New York University faculty members. The course culminates with a short film as the capstone project.

Enmanuel says working on his short film, titled “Luciana’s Bitter Side,” was an unforgettable experience. The dedication and creativity he poured into every frame paid off in ways he could never have imagined. “My short film ‘Luciana’s Bitter Side’ has obtained four official selections in the category of ‘Best Student Short Film’ in different film festivals in countries like France, Brazil, and the United States,” Enmanuel proudly states. The film was also a quarterfinalist among more than 13,000 projects in the 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival and was an award winner in the Brussels World Film Festival.

These accomplishments are a testament to the power of following your dreams. Enmanuel credits the NYU Film and TV Industry Essentials course with giving him the experience needed to produce and direct his film.

Enmanuel expresses his heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I want to thank God for allowing me this longing, and I also wish to thank my wife, family, and all of you for supporting me throughout this journey.”

Enmanuel invites you to stay tuned for more updates on his future projects and endeavors. You can follow him on Instagram here.

To learn more about the online NYU Tisch Film and TV Industry Essentials course, enter your email address below for a course sneak peek. Students earn a certificate from NYU Tisch upon completing the course.