2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Reel Works braids peerless arts education with workforce development, guiding young people from their first film to first job. In 2025, Reel Works empowered more than 1,400 to tell their stories and take their first steps toward careers in media. From after-school labs to industry apprenticeships, our programs transformed passion into opportunity.
1,482 YOUTH SERVED
Data reflects only students who submitted demographic information. Some opted not to disclose.
DOUBLING OUR IMPACT
This year, we opened our new 3,900 sq. ft. Multimedia Lab in Brooklyn — a state-of-the-art space designed to expand creative opportunities for young storytellers. The facility includes a full soundstage, 25 professional editing workstations, and a dedicated screening room. With this new home, we now have the capacity to double the number of youth we serve in free, year-round after-school programs.
AFTER SCHOOL
212
Total Served
158
Badges Earned
48
Films Created
WATCH AWARD-WINNING STUDENT FILMS
NEW PROGRAM
Intro to Broadcast Journalism Lab
Direct served: 10 | Applied: 52
In our inaugural Broadcast Journalism Program, students stepped into the roles of reporters, producers, and on-camera talent to create a short news show from the ground up. Through hands-on training in electronic news gathering, they developed skills in research, interviewing, scriptwriting, and video production.
See what students created
458
Total Served
21
Schools Partnered
1,558
Badges Distributed
WATCH STUDENT FILMS
MEDIAMKRS means jobs for historically marginalized
communities.
MediaMKRS prepares early-career professionals for roles in the media and entertainment industry and ensures they develop versatile, transferable skills that promote long-term economic mobility and career resilience, both within and beyond the sector.
IN 2025,
460
Served
168
Alumni obtained jobs in media
12
MediaMKRS alumni joined the union
Workforce Expansion
Secured a five-year, $5M DYCD Train & Earn contract
Supports 16 out-of-school, out-of-work youth annually with training, paid internships, and job placement
94% of the first cohort were placed in work experiences
New Programs for 2025
Amazon MGM Studios Production Accounting and Payroll Training — New York, NY & Atlanta, GA
IATSE Local 705 Finished Costumer Training — Los Angeles, CA
Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 Casting Assistant Training — New York, NY
IATSE Local 798 Make-up Artist Training — New Jersey
IATSE Local USA 829 Art/Costume Coordinator Training — New York, NY
IATSE Local 52 Sound Utility Training — New York, NY
IATSE Studio Mechanics Local 489 Shop Craft Training — Pittsburgh, PA
New Locations for 2025
Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada VFX Coordinator Training — Vancouver, Canada
Amazon MGM Studios Production Accounting and Payroll Training — Atlanta, GA
IATSE Entertainment Industry Make-up Artist Training — New Jersey
“Reel Works opened the door to professional film opportunities. Through Reel Works and NBCU Launch, I attended an NBC career fair and worked as a set dressing trainee on Law & Order: SVU. I use the tools they gave me every day, both physical and mental.”
Nick Stapp, IATSE Local 52, Studio Mechanics Set Dressing Training
THE STUDIO AT REEL WORKS bridges education and industry by hiring young filmmakers for professional client productions.
Clients include:
In 2025 The Studio earned $150,000 in revenue from 14 clients, helping keep our programs open and free for New York City youth.
FUNDERS & DONORS
