Reel Works

What Reel Works does

Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered at 540 President St in Brooklyn, NY. It provides free filmmaking education and workforce development programs to New York City youth and underrepresented communities seeking careers in the media industry. Core programming comprises four lines: After School programs (Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Film School Fridays, Summer Lab) that pair teens aged 13-19 one-on-one with professional filmmaker mentors to produce original short films; In Schools & Communities, which delivers award-winning workshops directly into NYC public school classrooms; MediaMKRS, a workforce development program launched in July 2019 in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, CUNY, media companies, and unions that trains and credentials underrepresented New Yorkers for media careers; and The Studio at Reel Works, an Emmy-winning production company that employs emerging filmmakers on paid client projects.

The organization's underlying technology stack combines human-centered mentorship delivery with lightweight digital infrastructure: a Badge Credentialing System that tracked 1,549 industry-credentialed badges in 2024 (15 per Career Exploration graduate), the MediaMKRS Talent Portal at talent.mediamkrs.org for alumni profile and job-tracking, and standard nonprofit tooling (Salesforce CRM, Mailchimp, Stripe, Google Analytics, YouTube for film hosting). Reach in 2024 included 1,482 youth served (with demographic data), 675 students through the In Schools program, and 26 funding partners including 14 NYC City Council discretionary awards.

Reel Works is funded primarily through a diversified mix of foundation grants (Bloomberg, PwC, Altman, Charles Hayden, New York Community Trust), corporate sponsorships (Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount), government awards (DYCD, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, City Council), individual donations, event proceeds (the 2022 ChangeMakers Gala raised over $500,000), and a one-time $2M Yield Giving Open Call grant awarded in March 2024. Earned revenue is generated through The Studio's production services, which earned $178,826 from 13 enterprise clients including Paramount, American Express, Hasbro, Samsung, Bank of America, and NBCUniversal. All youth-facing programs are free to participants, and revenue mechanics are characteristic of a grant-dependent nonprofit rather than a commercial enterprise.

Name

Reel Works

Legal name

Reel Works

Website

https://reelworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Reel Works is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free filmmaking education and media-industry workforce development to NYC teens and underrepresented adults through mentorship, in-school workshops, and a credentialed talent pipeline into major studios.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Filmmaking Education & Media Workforce Development

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services (512191), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Workshops (EDAMAMAC), Screenwriting Workshops (Film/TV/Web) (EDAMAMAE)

Keywords

• Youth filmmaking education
• Media workforce development
• Documentary filmmaking training
• Youth mentorship programs
• Nonprofit media arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation & Corporate Grants: Primary funding from foundations and corporations including Netflix, Bloomberg, PwC, Altman Foundation, Charles Hayden Foundation, and corporate sponsors. Reel Works was awarded $2 million from the Yield Giving Open Call in 2024.
2. Government Grants: Funding from government sources including NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, DYCD, and City Council Member discretionary awards (14 awards in 2024).
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporate matching programs. The 2022 ChangeMakers Gala raised over $500,000.
4. The Studio Revenue: The Studio at Reel Works is an Emmy-winning production company that earns revenue from client projects. In 2024, The Studio earned $178,826 in revenue from 13 clients.
5. Event Sponsorships: Revenue from event sponsorships at the ChangeMakers Gala and Reel Works Film Festival, with tiered sponsorship opportunities available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free filmmaking education and workforce development programs pairing NYC teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker mentors to create original documentaries, narrative films, and experimental projects. Its portfolio includes after-school labs, in-school classroom workshops, the MediaMKRS workforce training and credentialing program for underrepresented communities, and The Studio at Reel Works, an Emmy-winning production company that hires emerging filmmakers to produce commercial content for enterprise clients.

Product overview

Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a multi-program portfolio focused on youth filmmaking education and workforce development. The core offerings include After School Programs (Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Summer Lab, and related programs) that pair teens with professional filmmaker mentors for hands-on filmmaking training; In Schools & Communities (RWiS) which brings workshops into NYC public schools; and MediaMKRS, a workforce development program preparing underrepresented New Yorkers for media careers. The Studio at Reel Works is an Emmy-winning production company employing young filmmakers on client projects. The organization also hosts signature events including the ChangeMakers Gala, Reel Works Film Festival, and MediaMKRS Summit. All programs aim to diversify the media industry and empower youth through storytelling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MediaMKRS: Workforce development program that diversifies the media landscape by training and credentialing rising talent from underrepresented communities for careers in media and entertainment.
• The Studio at Reel Works

Products and services

• After School Filmmaking Programs Free after-school filmmaking programs that pair NYC teens (ages 13-19) with professional filmmaker mentors to create original short documentaries, narrative, and experimental films covering writing, shooting, directing, and editing. Includes Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Film School Fridays, Summer Lab, Supported Summer Lab, and Career Lab.
• Documentary Lab Free after-school workshop for NYC teens ages 13-19 where students work one-on-one with professional mentors to create original short documentary films, learning writing, shooting, directing, and editing.
• Narrative Lab Free four-month after-school program where NYC teens learn screenwriting, producing, cinematography, editing, and sound to create original short narrative films, premiering at the Reel Works Film Festival.
• In Schools & Communities (RWiS) Brings award-winning filmmaking workshops into NYC public school classrooms, providing career-connected learning and hands-on media training for high school students.
• The Studio at Reel Works Emmy-winning production company that hires emerging filmmakers to collaborate with industry professionals and create content for enterprise clients including Paramount, American Express, Hasbro, Samsung, Bank of America, NBCUniversal, and Shutterstock; revenue supports Reel Works' educational programming.
• MediaMKRS Workforce Development Program Workforce development program in partnership with NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, CUNY, media companies, and unions that trains and credentials talented New Yorkers from underrepresented communities for media and entertainment careers through training, work experience, networking, and industry credentials.
• Dual Language Documentary Lab Bilingual filmmaking program guiding English-Spanish speaking NYC teens in creating documentaries about their cultural identities; funded by NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns.
• Train and Earn Program DYCD-funded workforce development initiative for NYC youth ages 16-24 who are not in school or employed, focused on technical and soft skills for workforce readiness in media.
• MediaMKRS Talent Portal Online alumni portal for MediaMKRS participants to maintain profiles, job history, contact information, and professional websites; also tracks badges and connects users with media-industry employment opportunities.
• ChangeMakers Gala Annual flagship fundraising event at venues such as the Ziegfeld Ballroom, celebrating industry change makers and emerging filmmakers; offers tickets and tiered sponsorship opportunities.
• Reel Works Film Festival Annual film festival showcasing narrative and documentary films created by young filmmakers, featuring student work screenings and awards including Best Documentary, Best Cinematography, and Best Animation.
• MediaMKRS Summit Annual summit bringing together diverse stakeholders from education, industry, government, and alumni to address diversity in the media and entertainment industry and shape a more inclusive future; hosted at venues such as Paramount.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,482 youth served in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NYC Mayor's Office of Media and EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Primary government partner for MediaMKRS workforce development program. Provides funding, internship placements, and industry connections for underrepresented New Yorkers seeking media careers. Partnership supports Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program initiatives.
• City University of New York (CUNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for MediaMKRS workforce development. CUNY internship coordination and academic pathway connections for program graduates.
• LaGuardia Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership connecting 45 NYC students to 62 paid media internships since 2023 through MediaMKRS LaGuardia & MetLife Foundation program.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funder and partner supporting Reel Works programs and MediaMKRS workforce development. Major studio building at Fort Monmouth.
• Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey industry partner for workforce development including VFX Coordinator Training program. 14 graduates in NYC cohort. Also funder through WarnerMedia Access to Action.
• Paramount GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for MediaMKRS Summit; internship placements; client for The Studio production company; hosts Career Day events.
• Theatrical Teamsters Local 817coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion partner for Casting Assistant Training Program, helping emerging professionals launch careers in casting.
• Mayor's Office of Criminal JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Reel Works in Schools for filmmaking program serving justice-impacted youth in Brooklyn. Teaches professional filmmaking skills while amplifying community stories.
• IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple union partnerships including Local 798 (Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists), Local 764 (Wardrobe), and other IATSE locals for workforce training programs in entertainment industry crafts.
• HBOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for costume design training through HBO's 'The Gilded Age' / Local USA 829 program; guest speakers at VFX Coordinator training.
• AMC NetworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Casting Assistant Training Program for emerging entertainment professionals.
• Framestore NYCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVFX studio host venue for Warner Bros. Discovery VFX Coordinator Training graduation ceremony.
• Phosphene VFXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC training partner for VFX Coordinator program; Emmy-nominated instructors Renuka Ballal and Alexis Sansone led the training curriculum.
• NBCUniversalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for The Studio production company; internship placements; partner for Creative Impact Lab; Black Employee Network career panel sponsorship.
• Harbor Picture CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack History Month film screening partner; hosts LA alumni events with industry professionals.
• Stockade WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for costume design training with HBO's 'The Gilded Age'.
• RadicalMediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia company hosting MediaMKRS alumni internships.
• Department of Motion PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia company hosting MediaMKRS alumni internships.
• Jigsaw ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia company hosting MediaMKRS alumni internships.
• Fordham UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for 'Nuestro Apoyo' short film, with Dr. Jenn Lilly providing research for screenplay development.
• Tribeca Film FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpportunity for Reel Works students to attend festival and engage with industry professionals through NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.
• Girls Write NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for collaborative workshop on scriptwriting and mobile filmmaking.
• The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Teens Take The Met event introducing students to 2D animation through hands-on demo.
• The MillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-production company providing workshops on editing, VFX, and color for Reel Works students.
• PanavisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamera equipment rental facility providing facility tours for MediaMKRS participants.
• A+E Factual StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Career Day events highlighting unscripted television production roles.
• Sandbox FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Master Class with director Sara Dosa; moderated by Reel Works Board Member Jessica Harrop.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ghetto Film School: Ghetto Film School is a direct peer offering free, multi-year filmmaking education and mentorship to high school students from under-resourced communities, with locations in the Bronx, LA, and London. It shares Reel Works' core 1:1 mentor model, youth documentary/narrative focus, and industry-internship pipeline.
• Inner-City Filmmakers: Inner-City Filmmakers is a direct peer providing free media-arts education, mentoring, and paid internship placement to underrepresented youth in Los Angeles. It mirrors Reel Works' MediaMKRS model — pairing industry mentors with teens and placing graduates into studio jobs.
• ReelAbilities Film Festival: Reel Abilities is a direct peer in youth-focused disability and media-arts programming, running film festivals, education programs, and mentorship. While narrower in focus (disability inclusion), its combination of free filmmaking education, industry partnerships, and festival platform closely parallels Reel Works' structure.
• Educational Video Center: Educational Video Center is a NYC-based direct peer running in-school and after-school youth documentary filmmaking programs, plus teacher training. It mirrors Reel Works In-Schools and Documentary Lab in mission, pedagogy, and school-district partnership model.

Emerging players

• National YoungArts Foundation: YoungArts identifies and supports exceptional young artists (ages 15-18) across disciplines including film, providing mentorship, master classes, and career-launch support. It overlaps with Reel Works on film-track programming and a national alumni network, but operates at a higher-selectivity tier.
• Docs In Progress: Docs In Progress provides documentary education, works-in-progress screenings, and artist development for emerging and mid-career documentary makers. It overlaps with Reel Works' Documentary Lab and is a relevant regional adjacent for documentary-focused training.

Broad incumbents

• SFFILM: SFFILM is a broad incumbent running the San Francisco International Film Festival alongside year-round film education programs for students and educators. It is a useful comparison as a regional film society with established youth education, festival, and industry programming.
• Jacob Burns Film Center: Jacob Burns Film Center is a Westchester-based nonprofit operating an arthouse cinema, media lab, and K-12 filmmaking education programs. It is comparable to Reel Works on the education-and-mentorship side but is a more established institution with its own physical theater.
• Film Independent: Film Independent runs the Spirit Awards, FIND Filmmaker Residencies, and educational programs (including Project:Involve) supporting emerging diverse filmmakers. It is comparable to Reel Works' MediaMKRS pathway in driving underrepresented talent into the industry, though its primary focus is on independent adult filmmakers.

Others

• Allied Media Projects: Allied Media Projects is a Detroit-based nonprofit that supports media makers and organizers, including youth and community storytelling initiatives. It is an adjacent ecosystem peer — overlapping with Reel Works' mission of using media for social impact — but does not directly compete in the same programs or geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ReelWorks
• Xx.com/ReelWorks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reel Works