12 Film Internships for High School Students in NYC
If you’re a high school student interested in a film career, then you’re in luck! New York City offers a wide range of exciting film internships tailored for teens exploring careers in cinema. Many film internships for high school students in NYC will span various aspects of the industry, including production, editing, animation, cinematography, screenwriting, and more. Participating in them can give you hands-on work experience and the chance to network with professionals in the field and your fellow peers. These opportunities are also a strong addition to college applications.
Below, you’ll find 12 standout film internships for high school students in NYC, featuring both in-person and virtual options to fit your schedule and goals.
1. Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture (BIAC)
Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY
Cohort Size: ~15 students per year
Dates: Summer (1 week in August), Fall (October – December), Spring (February – June)
Application Deadline: June 3
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending a high school in any of the five NYC boroughs; minimum GPA of 2.0
Stipend: Stipend provided
The Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture (BIAC) is a year-long, after-school internship for students passionate about performing and media arts. You will explore arts management, receive behind-the-scenes exposure at top venues, and participate in hands-on workshops.
The program also includes resume-building, public speaking training, and personalized college application support. You’ll attend weekly sessions during the school year and an intensive week in the summer, all while receiving stipends. BIAC emphasizes wellness, mentorship, and career planning to help you transition confidently into college and creative careers.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; May 25 for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program
Cost: $2,490
Veritas AI offers project-based internships for high school students in NYC and around the world, giving you the chance to apply machine learning techniques to real-world problems alongside VC-backed startups. You will work in small cohorts under the guidance of mentors from institutions like Harvard, Google, and McKinsey, strengthening both your technical and collaborative skills.
Projects span fields such as healthcare, finance, and sustainability, giving you direct insight into practical AI applications. The program emphasizes mentorship, teamwork, and the development of a portfolio-ready final project. You will also receive a formal completion letter documenting your contributions and outcomes.
3. BRIC Youth Media Fellowship
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 8-10 students per cohort
Dates: October 25 – May 29
Application Deadline: Typically closes in September
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 10-12 (ages 15-19) by October
Stipend: $15/hour
BRIC’s Youth Media Fellowship trains students in curating and producing the annual Concrete Stories: BRIC Youth Media Festival. The program includes exposure to video production, event planning, and marketing, plus access to guest speakers in media and film. Working closely with a small team, you’ll develop leadership and technical skills essential for a future in film and media. You will also help determine the festival theme, manage entries, design promotional content, and host the final event. The fellowship culminates in a public screening at BRIC House in May.
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year (8-12 weeks); the summer cohort starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; May 11 for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students (10-20 hours/week commitment)
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available)
The Ladder Internship Program connects ambitious students with high-growth startups across industries like health tech, AI/ML, journalism, and consulting. You will work directly on real-world projects under the mentorship of both startup leaders and a dedicated Ladder Coach.
You will also participate in one-on-one training sessions focused on communication, time management, and leadership. Many participating startups are led by founders from Y Combinator, Google, and Microsoft, giving you valuable exposure to the startup ecosystem. The internship culminates in a final presentation to company leadership, allowing you to build a professional portfolio and network with industry professionals.
5. Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program
Location: Available at 30 locations nationwide; virtual option available
Cohort Size: Open enrollment with limited spots per location
Dates: Tuesday/Thursday after school from January to May
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Teens aged 13-19 interested in film, content creation, or storytelling
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
The Fresh Films Weekly Filmmaking Program allows you to gain real-world production experience by working on professional film projects throughout the year. You will learn every aspect of the filmmaking process, from pre-production planning to cinematography, lighting, sound, and editing.
As part of the program, you'll create a music video for a real band, produce a competition show, and even develop a documentary with Roku that may premiere on The Roku Channel. You’ll also work on a movie scene for a Paramount+ film and a short film with Sony Pictures. The program offers direct interaction with industry professionals from Sony, Paramount, America’s Got Talent, and more—all while receiving a stipend!
6. Museum of the Moving Image Teen Council
Location: Queens, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 15 students per cohort
Dates: November – May (select Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Application Deadline: October 18
Eligibility: NYC high school students aged 15+ in grades 10-12 (or equivalent) as of fall
Stipend: Stipend provided upon completion
The Teen Council at the Museum of the Moving Image is a paid internship that combines arts education with leadership training. You will explore careers in arts and cultural institutions, help organize the museum’s annual Teen Film Festival, and gain experience in project management and event planning.
The program includes behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, including meetings with museum professionals and exploration of film history and technology. Council members contribute ideas for teen programming at the museum and help shape future public events, while building practical job skills in a supportive and creative environment.
7. Tisch Summer High School Filmmakers Workshop
Location: New York City
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; minimum 3.0 GPA
Cost: $11,101 (limited number of full scholarships available)
The Tisch Summer High School Program at NYU offers you intensive conservatory-style training in areas such as acting, screen acting, theatre, and production and design. You will engage in full-day sessions from Monday to Friday, gaining up to 28 hours per week of hands-on studio instruction at one of Tisch’s renowned training studios.
The Summer Filmmakers Workshop for High School Students at the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television offers professional training in cinematic techniques and storytelling. As a student, you’ll also attend a seminar on New York theatre and interact with accomplished professionals, including directors, actors, and designers. The program culminates in two showcases: one for faculty and peers and another open to family and friends. This program is ideal if you're seeking pre-college immersion in one of the country’s top performing arts schools.
8. The Met High School Internship Program
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 3 – March 7
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11; must reside in or attend school in NY, NJ, or CT
Stipend: $1,100 paid in one installment
The Met High School Internship Program provides paid summer internships for high school students in NYC, giving you the chance to explore careers in the arts, museums, and related fields. You will be placed in one of the Museum’s departments, such as editorial, photography, education, conservation, or marketing, based on your interests and the project availability. You will work 10 to 20 hours per week and gain mentorship from Met staff, build professional skills, and develop a deeper understanding of museum work. This is an ideal program for students seeking hands-on experience in a world-class cultural institution.
9. Apollo Theater Academy Technical Stage Production Internship
Location: Apollo Theater, Harlem, NY
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors entering 12th grade in September; NYC residents in the five boroughs
Stipend: $16.50/hour
The Apollo Theater Academy Technical Stage Production Internship offers comprehensive, paid summer internships for high school students in NYC interested in behind-the-scenes careers in live performance. You will work alongside Apollo’s professional production crew to learn core technical skills in areas such as lighting design, audio engineering, videography, carpentry, and production design.
Over six weeks, you’ll gain hands-on experience developing live and recorded stage productions, learning how to bring events from concept to execution. The program includes both on-site and virtual components, with interns working Monday through Thursday at the theater and participating in virtual sessions on Fridays. This internship is ideal if you're passionate about the technical side of theater and want to build real-world skills in a legendary performance venue.
10. Ghetto Film School New York Fellows Program
Location: Bronx, NY
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 30-month program
Application Deadline: Spring; apply here
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18; no prior filmmaking experience required
Cost: None; the program is fully funded, including travel, equipment, meals, and transportation
The Ghetto Film School (GFS) New York Fellows Program is an intensive, free 30-month visual storytelling course designed for high school students passionate about filmmaking. You will receive over 1,000 hours of college-level instruction covering both the art and business of cinematic storytelling.
The program includes hands-on production training, visits to live sets and studios, and international travel experiences. You will get to screen your films at prestigious venues, receive college application advising and test prep support, and be placed in internships at top media and creative companies. Please note that the program is currently undergoing structural changes and will not be accepting a new class until Spring 2026.
11. ArtsWestchester Internship Program
Location: White Plains, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by department
Dates: Flexible scheduling, typically part-time
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, college students, recent graduates, and mature professionals; must demonstrate interest in the arts and arts administration
Stipend: Unpaid; travel stipends may be available
The ArtsWestchester Internship Program offers hands-on internships for high school students in NYC in various departments, including communications, editorial, web content, grants, arts-in-education, gallery operations, development, and finance. You will engage in tasks such as project management, public relations, professional writing, and event planning, gaining valuable skills for future careers in the arts. You will also receive complimentary admission to arts and cultural events throughout Westchester, enhancing your exposure to the local arts scene.
Location: The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 12 students per session
Dates: Fall and Spring sessions; each runs for four months with meetings twice a week after school
Application Deadlines:
Fall: October 6
Spring: February 9
Eligibility: New York City high school students aged 14-19
Stipend: Paid
The Bronx Museum Teen Council is a four-month paid internship program that immerses you in contemporary art and museum practices. As a participant, you'll engage in activities such as meeting and interviewing contemporary artists, curating exhibitions, creating zines, and developing interpretive materials for the museum's current exhibitions.
The program emphasizes collaboration, communication, and curation skills, providing a platform for you to express ideas that affect young people today. Sessions are held twice a week after school, and you may participate in one or both sessions each year. This opportunity is ideal if you're passionate about art and seeking hands-on experience in a museum setting.