The Newbie Film Academy

Layla Carey-Johnson is a rising youth actor for stage and screen, bringing confidence, heart, and creativity to every role she steps into.

From live performances to on-screen acting, Layla represents the next generation of young talent who are learning, growing, and shining in the arts. We are proud to spotlight her journey as she continues to develop her craft and pursue her passion for acting.

🎬 Stage | Screen | Storytelling
🌟 The future starts here.

🎬 Let’s Talk REAL Filmmaking…

Every filmmaker remembers the moment they realized:
“This is harder than I thought.”

That’s why The Newbie Film Academy exists — to guide, mentor, and equip filmmakers who are ready to do it right.

💬 Question: What’s the ONE thing you wish someone had told you before you started filmmaking?

👇 Drop it in the comments.

Ready to elevate your filmmaking? 🎥🔥
Our Signature Level Courses are designed for creators who are ready to go beyond the basics and build with intention, strategy, and confidence.
Inside the Signature track, you’ll gain advanced guidance in:
✔ Directing & performance
✔ Production strategy
✔ Advanced scriptwriting
✔ Film planning & creative leadership
This program is perfect for filmmakers who want MORE — more clarity, more skill, and more purpose behind their work.

Step into the next level of your filmmaking journey. Enroll in a course before rolling the camera. 🎥

Meet the Expert Panelist: Joyce Smith

Playwright and filmmaker Joyce Smith brings creativity, storytelling, and purpose to the screen and stage. With a passion for empowering others through the arts, she uses storytelling to inspire integrity, confidence, and transformation.

Join us as she shares her insight, experience, and encouragement with filmmakers or playwrights ready to take the next step in their journey.

“Welcome to Season 2 of The Newbie Filmmaking Podcast, powered by The Newbie Film Academy. This podcast is for filmmakers on the go—creating in between life, work, and the calling on their lives.

This season, we’re going deeper into storytelling, faith, discipline, and the realities of the filmmaking journey.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday. Let’s get into Season 2.”

🎤 Panel Spotlight 🎤
We’re excited to welcome Alfred Castillo, Jr. as an Expert Panelist for the Expert Industry Panel: Getting Started in Film at The Newbie Film Festival!
✨ Alfred Castillo, Jr.
Filmmaker | Creative Professional
Alfred brings real-world insight and experience to the conversation, offering practical guidance for new filmmakers navigating their first projects, creative growth, and the realities of the industry.

🎬 Part of The Newbie Film Festival
🎥 Inspiring the next generation of storytellers
FilmEducation

🎬 Meet Our Expert Panelist: Gordon S. Williams

Gordon S. Williams is an award-winning content creator whose work has screened at over 100 film festivals and earned distribution through Amazon Video and Shorts International. His acclaimed film Beaumont’s Black History – In Moving Pictures received a Special Congressional Recognition and is preserved at the Black Film & Cinema Archive at Indiana University–Bloomington.

Join us as he shares insight, experience, and wisdom with the next generation of filmmakers.

NewFilmmakers StorytellingMatters

🎬 Meet Our Expert Panelist: Nkem DenChukwu

Nkem DenChukwu is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and creative storyteller with 14 independent films and 16 inspirational books to her credit. Her work has been featured in Oprah Winfrey Magazine, Forbes (digital), and on major networks including FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, and VOA. A two-time Houston Literary Award “Reader’s Choice” winner, her 3D animated film When Hearts Touch won Best Animation at AFRIFF and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

She joins us to inspire, equip, and encourage the next generation of storytellers.

📍 The Newbie Film Festival
📅 February 7 | Cleveland, TX

🎬 Meet Our Expert Panelist: Nkem DenChukwu

Nkem DenChukwu is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and creative storyteller with 14 independent films and 16 inspirational books to her credit. Her work has been featured in Oprah Winfrey Magazine, Forbes (digital), and on major networks including FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, and VOA. A two-time Houston Literary Award “Reader’s Choice” winner, her 3D animated film When Hearts Touch won Best Animation at AFRIFF and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

She joins us to inspire, equip, and encourage the next generation of storytellers.

📍 The Newbie Film Festival
📅 February 7 | Cleveland, TX

🎬 Meet Our Expert Panelist: Gordon S. Williams

Gordon S. Williams is an award-winning content creator whose work has screened at over 100 film festivals and earned distribution through Amazon Video and Shorts International. His acclaimed film Beaumont’s Black History – In Moving Pictures received a Special Congressional Recognition and is preserved at the Black Film & Cinema Archive at Indiana University–Bloomington.

Join us as he shares insight, experience, and wisdom with the next generation of filmmakers.

📍 The Newbie Film Festival
📅 February 7 | Cleveland, TX