NOVAC

NOVAC Connecting filmmakers to the community since 1972

We have your first three Mondays in August planned for you with Cinematography Intensive workshops with award-winning fi...
07/28/2026

We have your first three Mondays in August planned for you with Cinematography Intensive workshops with award-winning filmmaker and our Virtuous Video Producer Alejandro de los Rios (). Bundle all three for the best deal of the summer.

First up: Digital Cinematography 101 on Mon., 08.03.
Register here: https://buff.ly/fl82BnT

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
An introduction to digital camera gear, settings and the basics of modern digital cinematography. This course will go over basics of camera angles, movements, frame rates and exposure.

* Level: Beginner/Amateur
* Prerequisites: None but experience with some photography is encouraged.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Dates: Monday | August 3, 2026
Time: 6pm-9pm
Location: In-person at NOVAC: New Orleans | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave | 70119

COST:
đź’˛Single Workshop: $30 General Admission | $25 NOVAC Members
đź’°Bundle & Save! 3-Course Bundle: $75 General Admission | $60 NOVAC Members
🌴Course links are broken down in our linktree under LEARN FROM US.

This workshop is funded by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by Arts New Orleans.

ABOUT ALEJANDRO DE LOS RIOS:
Alejandro de los Rios is a Venezuelan-Cuban filmmaker based in New Orleans whose work explores the intersections of race, social & economic justice, through documentaries and narrative genres.

Currently the Virtuous Video Producer for NOVAC, he’s produced award-winning documentaries and promotional campaigns for community-based organizations. Formerly, he was a video producer for the NFL’s Saints & NBA’s Pelicans, where he directed a feature-length documentary on Drew Brees and “Sounds of New Orleans,” a video series highlighting the city’s music, culture and history.

Alejandro’s narrative shorts have screened at the New Orleans Film Festival, Louisiana Film Prize, DC International Shorts, Southern Screen, Cinema on the Bayou and more. In 2021, he participated in a LaSelva’s Film Accelerator program mentored by Werner Herzog. In 2017, he was selected to the New Orleans Film Festival’s Emerging Voices program. Alejandro’s pilot script, “Storyville” was a semi-finalist in the Sundance Episodic program.

Filmmaker Workshops are baaaaaaack! Join us the first three weeks in August with award-winning filmmaker and our own Vi...
07/20/2026

Filmmaker Workshops are baaaaaaack! Join us the first three weeks in August with award-winning filmmaker and our own Virtuous Video Producer Alejandro de los Rios () for a Cinematography Intensive that’s sure to beat the summer heat.

Take one, take two or take all three for a bundle deal. This intensive is the best thing since adult-size snack packs.

Dates: Mondays | August 3, 10 and 17, 2026
Time: 6pm-9pm
Location: NOVAC: New Orleans | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave | 70119

Cost:
đź’˛Single Workshop: $30 General Admission | $25 NOVAC Members
đź’°Bundle & Save! 3-Course Bundle: $75 General Admission | $60 NOVAC Members
🌴Course links are broken down in our linktree under LEARN FROM US.

This workshop is funded by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by Arts New Orleans.

ABOUT ALEJANDRO DE LOS RIOS:
Alejandro de los Rios is a Venezuelan-Cuban filmmaker based in New Orleans whose work explores the intersections of race, social & economic justice, through documentaries and narrative genres.

Currently the Virtuous Video Producer for NOVAC, he’s produced award-winning documentaries and promotional campaigns for community-based organizations. Formerly, he was a video producer for the NFL’s Saints & NBA’s Pelicans, where he directed a feature-length documentary on Drew Brees and “Sounds of New Orleans,” a video series highlighting the city’s music, culture and history.

Alejandro’s narrative shorts have screened at the New Orleans Film Festival, Louisiana Film Prize, DC International Shorts, Southern Screen, Cinema on the Bayou and more. In 2021, he participated in a LaSelva’s Film Accelerator program mentored by Werner Herzog. In 2017, he was selected to the New Orleans Film Festival’s Emerging Voices program. Alejandro’s pilot script, “Storyville” was a semi-finalist in the Sundance Episodic program.

Summer is in full swing and our Youth Interest Form for the 26-27 school year is open!Starting this upcoming school year...
06/29/2026

Summer is in full swing and our Youth Interest Form for the 26-27 school year is open!

Starting this upcoming school year, we’re changing it up by offering video editing with Premiere Pro in the fall and graphic design for film with Photoshop in the spring of 2027.

What is Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro? It's a hands-on, project-based class and an introduction to visual storytelling and the power of the moving image.

For all levels, youth will explore how audio and visuals shape an audience's experience, while practicing standard editing workflows, and using Adobe Premiere Pro to create original video projects with like-minded peers.

DON’T WAIT!
Register by August 1 for early access/ priority--https://buff.ly/GWyXNCP

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays
SCHOOL YEAR: 2026-2027
WHERE: Mid-City | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave | New Orleans | 70119
TIMES: 4pm-7pm
COST: FREE!
ELIGIBILITY: Rising 8th–12th grade students in the greater New Orleans area

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN:
* Project-based learning that fosters problem-solving, collaborative working, original thinking, cultural awareness, and project management skills
* Diverse learners having access to the knowledge and resources to create their own content in their own voice
* Acquiring skills for the opportunity to access high-wage digital media positions and be equipped with a comprehensive set of 21st century workplace skills

We’re just one week away from our inaugural Legacy Dinner honoring Garrett Bradley, Gene Fredericks, Darcy McKinnon (() ...
06/09/2026

We’re just one week away from our inaugural Legacy Dinner honoring Garrett Bradley, Gene Fredericks, Darcy McKinnon (() and Tim Ryan (), four pillars who helped shape NOVAC into this wonderful community resource and we couldn’t be more excited!

Quick question: Do you have your ticket yet?  If you attended our 50th birthday gala, you know we know how to throw a party.

If you’ve been waiting to get your ticket, consider this “Quick Guide to the Legacy Dinner” your sign that the time to purchase your ticket is today.  (Link in our linktree.)  Seating is limited and sales end June 15.

What is the Legacy Dinner?  An annual fundraiser developed to highlight the community members who have made a lasting impact on NOVAC and the local film community while raising critical funds to support the organization’s future.

What can you expect?  Live music from saxophonist Kirsten Theodore (.bey), a keynote address from one of our honorees Darcy McKinnon and of course an awards ceremony honoring those who’ve poured into NOVAC’s legacy.

What to bring?  Your love of NOVAC and want to invest in the growth and sustainability in our filmmaking community.

A hot tip?  It’s not black-tie, but it’s not a casual night either.    Wear something that makes you feel confident and ready for an evening of celebration, storytelling, and community.  That statement piece you’ve been waiting to wear will fit right in here.

Hungry?  We are too.  We’ll have a carefully curated selection of delicious food and bottomless libations Bacchanal Wine & Spirits () and Bacchanal Catering () with decadent desserts by Desserts & Co, a boutique bakery ().

The Legacy Dinner is presented by NOVAC and its board member Dee Speed.  The event is sponsored by Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits and Bacchanal Catering with support from Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company.

IMAGES:
1 Legacy Dinner Flyer
2 Legacy Dinner Menu
3 Saxophonist Kirsten Theodore
4 Darcy McKinnon
5 Glam Ball 2022
6 Glam Ball 2022

Twenty years ago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Tim Ryan () helped reimagine what NOVAC could become.From rebui...
06/01/2026

Twenty years ago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Tim Ryan () helped reimagine what NOVAC could become.

From rebuilding NOVAC’s public voice through community storytelling projects like The Drive to securing the workforce development funding that still supports film careers today, Tim’s leadership helped shape a new chapter for the organization and Louisiana’s film community.

On June 17, we are proud to honor Tim Ryan at NOVAC’s Legacy Dinner for his vision, persistence, and commitment to empowering storytellers.

Tickets available now! (link in our linktree)
WHEN: June 17, 2026
TIME: 6pm-9pm
WHERE: Hotel Peter & Paul | New Orleans

Watch THE DRIVE trailer at the link in our linktree!

The Legacy Dinner is presented by NOVAC and Dee Speed, our board member, and sponsored by Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits and Bacchanal Catering with support from Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company.

IMAGES:
Legacy Dinner Graphic with Tim Ryan
Early NOVAC images
Youth Filmmaking Summer Camp (2007)
We Won’t Know Unless We Try title graphic

The inaugural Legacy Dinner is a night to honor the people who are part of the very fabric of NOVAC.For almost two decad...
05/19/2026

The inaugural Legacy Dinner is a night to honor the people who are part of the very fabric of NOVAC.

For almost two decades, Darcy McKinnon () has been a driving force behind NOVAC’s growth and impact. Under Darcy’s leadership, NOVAC expanded its youth media programs, strengthened workforce pathways into Louisiana’s film industry, and launched an active digitization lab alongside Gene Fredericks, deepening preservation efforts to protect community stories.
She also helped build partnerships with studios and industry leaders, creating real-world opportunities for NOVAC trainees to gain on-set experience as Production Assistants.

On June 17, we are proud to honor Darcy at NOVAC’s Legacy Dinner for her vision, leadership, and lasting contributions to New Orleans’ creative community.
Join us as we celebrate Darcy’s impact and invest in the next generation of storytellers.  Tickets available now! (link in our linktree)

From volunteer to board member to executive director to an on-going NOVAC ambassador, we are grateful to share an evening celebrating Darcy’s lasting impact on NOVAC’s legacy.  Be there with us.

WHEN: June 17, 2026
TIME: 6pm-9pm
WHERE: Hotel Peter & Paul | New Orleans  

The Legacy Dinner is presented by NOVAC and Dee Speed, our board member, and sponsored by Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits and Bacchanal Catering.

The Legacy Dinner is a celebration of the people who have shaped NOVAC and helped ensure that our stories endure.One of ...
05/14/2026

The Legacy Dinner is a celebration of the people who have shaped NOVAC and helped ensure that our stories endure.

One of those people is Gene Fredericks, NOVAC’s Digital Archivist. Thanks to Gene’s dedication, thousands of tapes, films, and recordings documenting New Orleans history and community voices are being preserved for future generations.

Gene’s journey with NOVAC began in the 1970s as a VISTA volunteer. After a remarkable career spanning public television, technology, and media innovation, he returned to NOVAC to lead our archive and safeguard the stories that define our community.

On June 17, we are proud to honor Gene for his extraordinary commitment to preserving our cultural memory and making these stories accessible to the public.

Join us as we celebrate Gene’s impact and support NOVAC’s mission to preserve the legacy and invest in the future of storytelling.

WHEN: June 17, 2026
TIME: 6pm-9pm
WHERE: Hotel Peter & Paul | New Orleans
Link in our linktree.

The Legacy Dinner is presented by NOVAC and Dee Speed, our board member, and sponsored by Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits and Bacchanal Catering.

In between all this festin', our next workforce training is our popular Production Assistant (PA) Intensive. Led by our...
05/08/2026

In between all this festin', our next workforce training is our popular Production Assistant (PA) Intensive. Led by our powerhouse Workforce Development Team of Stevee, Shantrell and Mya, this trio gets you trained and set-ready-to-work.

Application deadline is Friday, May 22, so don't wait. Apply today: https://buff.ly/kUfNv50

This training is free for Louisiana residents 18+. Must show proof of residency. Interview may be required.

All our workforce trainings come with a free one-year NOVAC membership.

This program is funded in part by a grant from Delta Resource Authority, Louisiana Entertainment, and Film New Orleans, City of New Orleans Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy.

Thank you for showing up for NOVAC during GiveNOLA Day. Together, we raised $7,726 from 151 donors. In a time when arts ...
05/07/2026

Thank you for showing up for NOVAC during GiveNOLA Day. Together, we raised $7,726 from 151 donors.

In a time when arts funding feels uncertain, it means so much to be reminded that people still believe in storytelling, culture, and community care.

New Orleans remains culturally rich because people continue to pour into one another, support artists, and protect spaces for creativity to thrive. We are grateful to be part of that ecosystem.

Here’s to doing the best we can with what we have, taking care of each other, and remaining grateful along the way.

If you’d still like to support the work, donations can still be made here: https://buff.ly/xSPXemF

We’re 25% closer to our funding goal of $20K for . Thank you to everyone who has shown up for us!If you haven’t donate...
05/05/2026

We’re 25% closer to our funding goal of $20K for . Thank you to everyone who has shown up for us!

If you haven’t donated yet, you can help us continue the legacy and invest in the future here: https://buff.ly/LezsgJi

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4422 S Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA
70119

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