The Media Center will be based in Brooklyn and is expected to open in spring 2013. It will be designed to combine traditional media and emerging technologies in a hub for filmmakers, content creators and entrepreneurs.

IFP will implement, market and manage the new Media Center, which will be located in an 18,000 sq ft facility at 20 Jay Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, recently nicknamed ‘Silicon Alley’ after the growing number of local tech companies and start-ups.

IFP has partnered with New York-based global education company General Assembly to provide classes, workshops, and long-form educational programming. General Assembly will manage courses covering technology, entrepreneurship, and design, while IFP will lead courses on creativity and craft, cross-media strategy and career sustainability.

The courses will be open to the public and designed to address the needs of creative and tech professionals in various stages of their careers.

“The Media Center will be an incubator for great stories and a showcase for new works whether they’re told through film, digital, games or apps,” said IFP executive director Joana Vicente [pictured]. “Regardless of what tools are used, we’ll be doing what we’ve done for 30 years: curating stories, supporting artists and connecting storytellers to investors, audiences and other artists. At IFP, we are thrilled.”

“New York City stands at the forefront of the media and entertainment industries,” said Mayor Bloomberg at a press conference in Brooklyn. “The Made in NY Media Center will allow us to continue to evolve and meet new challenges in the changing media landscape. By providing affordable workspace, networking events and educational seminars, New Yorkers will be primed to compete for new jobs emerging from this field.”

“The goal of the ‘Made in NY’ Media Center is to connect filmmakers, producers and storytellers to a rapidly changing world that is full of mobile apps, cross-platform distribution and social media,” said Media & Entertainment Commissioner Oliver. “IFP’s decades-long work in promoting and supporting independent filmmakers makes it the ideal choice to develop the ‘Made in NY’ Media Center into a thriving source of new content and collaboration in the City.” 

Jon Miller, former chief digital officer, chairman and CEO of the digital media group at News Corporation and former chairman and CEO of AOL, will head an advisory board for the Media Center.

IFP will partner with other leading educational institutions and technology companies including MIT, CUNY, Parsons New School for Design, Playmatics and Starlight Runner.

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