NYFA Kazakhstan

Robert Pietri

BFA, Carnegie Mellon University; MFA, NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Dean’s Fellow)

Robert has worked across live-action, animation, and documentary. His films screened at AFI/DOCs, Animafest Zagreb, BFI London Film Festival, Tribeca, and more.

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Pietri served in the United States Marine Corps and worked as an art director before committing to filmmaking. His first feature, Semper Fidel, was shot in Havana, Cuba. Robert continues to develop projects internationally and teaches directing at the New York Film Academy.

Kevin Caton-Largent

UC Merced (CS); MFA in Game Design, New York Film Academy

LA-based game designer, programmer, and educator. Teaches game design, AI, and programming; ships indie, AR/VR, and ed-tech projects.

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Proficient in C++, C#, Python, Lua, Java. Projects include Cambio, Knight & Gale, Aether Lance VR. At TCL Studios built Python tooling with ML (Meta’s SAM2). Develops AR for Meta Quest/iOS and mentors production pipelines as NYFA Instructor and The Coder School teacher.

Mark Mocahbee

BS, MFA — University of Miami

35+ years as director, writer, actor, producer. Worked with Barry Levinson, Dustin Hoffman, Edward Albee, David Petrarca, Rebecca Miller.

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Credits include top theatre venues (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Shakespeare & Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville). Former faculty at CCM (UC), Xavier, Miami University; currently teaches at NYFA.

Michael Dylan Rastrick

Emmy-nominated Documentary Producer

Credits: A Class Apart (Imagen Award), The State of Arizona (Emmy-nominated), Sony’s Adventures of Robert Caro & Robert Gottlieb, Tribeca Official Selections.

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14 seasons with Sundance Film Festival (Non-Technical Production Manager; Filmmaker Office) covering U.S. Competition Documentary, Premieres, and World Documentary. Director of NYFA’s Miami College Campus & NYFA Harvard Summer Youth Programs.

Michael Hsueh

MFA, Chapman University — Cinematography

Los Angeles–based cinematographer with over a decade of experience in narrative films, commercials, and music videos. Trained in digital and film formats, including 16mm and 35mm, with a focus on visual storytelling.

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Graduate of Chapman University’s MFA Film Production (Cinematography). Worked as Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Gaffer, and Key Grip. Expertise in lighting design and camera movement, collaborating closely with other departments. Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYFA Burbank, teaching cinematography at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Todd Bruno

Vanderbilt University — Theater degree

Todd Bruno is an award-winning actor, director, writer and producer, and a proud native of South Florida.

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He is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York and has a Theater degree from Vanderbilt University. Best known for indie films Stratagem, Palace and Proximity, he is a veteran of more than 40 film productions and 50+ stage productions. Todd is on faculty at New York Film Academy, he recently completed a live film adaptation of Macbeth, and his latest film Corona Camp is set to release next year.

Housing Gallery

NYFA Kazakhstan offers safe and comfortable housing options located in the heart of Almaty. Students can choose from our luxurious, spacious designer apartments. We offer shared double and single occupancy rooms in the residence. Each apartment comes fully furnished with twin or double beds, living room, spacious bathroom and built-in kitchen. Additionally, all apartments are equipped with a refrigerator, stove, sink, microwave, oven, dishwasher, washing machine and other amenities. We also welcome students with families. NYFA KAZAKHSTAN will provide direct return shuttles from the residence in Kaskelen to ensure the safety and comfort of the students. Access to the fitness center and breakfasts are included in the price. The residence has direct access to Esentai river and beautiful views of the mountains.