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Higher Ed Chats

February 25th, 2026

14 minutes

Why International Film Education Matters Now More Than Ever

Dan Mackler, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and Dean of the Los Angeles campus at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), speaks with Scott Miller about the transformative power of international arts education. Drawing from a career that spans filmmaking, international advertising, and higher education leadership, Dan shares how his global background — including years working in Russia and Europe — shaped his commitment to developing creative talent across cultures.

Dan explains NYFA’s “learn by doing” educational philosophy, where students gain hands-on experience through real-world production, collaboration, and continuous creative practice. With campuses in Los Angeles, New York, Florence, and Kazakhstan, and students from more than 120 countries, NYFA has become a uniquely international learning environment that mirrors today’s global film industry.

The conversation explores how diverse classrooms shape richer, more authentic storytelling, allowing students to draw on their cultural identities while mastering the universal language of film. Dan also discusses how emerging technologies — including digital production tools and AI — are expanding access to filmmaking while reinforcing the importance of creativity, storytelling craft, and human voice.

Dan reflects on how global higher education is evolving toward more flexible programs, cross-border partnerships, and experiential learning models, particularly within the creative industries. This episode highlights why international education in the arts is not only culturally valuable but also economically vital in preparing students for a rapidly globalizing creative economy.

 

Who’s in the episode?

Scott Miller_headshot
Scott Miller

Scott Miller is the host of Keystone Higher Ed Chats and the Executive Director of Keystone's international division, bringing over 11 years of EdTech experience to conversations about global education. 


After graduating from DePauw University, living and working in different cultures showed him that stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't just broaden your horizons; it reshapes them entirely. That belief in the transformative power of international experiences brought Scott to Keystone in 2010, where he's spent over a decade (and counting) helping higher education institutions reach students worldwide. 


On Keystone Higher Ed Chats, Scott speaks with thought-leaders in the industry about what he's most passionate about: how education changes lives, how cultural experiences broaden perspectives at any age, and how Keystone's mission—connecting students with their ideal higher education institution—makes those life-changing moments possible. 

Dan Mackler_Headshot
Dan Mackler

Dan Mackler is the Dean of New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles Campus and Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of NYFA globally. A graduate of Dartmouth College with a BA in Russian Studies, he received his MFA in film production from NYU Tisch.

 

His work as a director and cinematographer has been selected by festivals including South by Southwest (SXSW), Clermont Ferrand, and the Hamptons International Film Festival. Dan has lectured around the globe in universities and forums in England, China, Japan, Russia, India, Ecuador, and Chile, and has been part of the New York Film Academy since 2000.

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