Help Harry Inspire Future Filmmakers
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Hi Everyone,
My name is Harry Mavromichalis, and I’m reaching out to ask for your help in making something really special happen.
After almost 20 years working in the film industry — most recently directing my first feature documentary about Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis — I found myself stepping into a completely unexpected new role: high school teacher.
In August 2024, I was offered a job to teach film at a small arts high school in the Bronx, TAPCo. At first, I thought, No way. Teaching wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing. But life has a funny way of steering you. The very same day I got the offer, I was flying to visit two of my high school teachers — the ones who changed my life — and I thought, maybe this isn’t a coincidence. Maybe it’s a sign.
So I took the job.
Now I work alongside my incredible colleague Erika Houle, who came from the camera departments of Succession and Saturday Night Live. Like me, she's new to teaching — and together, we are trying to build something meaningful at TAPCo.
Our students are talented. So talented. But most of them have never even imagined themselves as filmmakers. They chose film because the school was close to home — not because they saw it as their future.
I know that feeling. Growing up, I never knew anyone who was a filmmaker. It wasn’t until a twist of fate — a friend dragging me to an NYU info session — that the idea even crossed my mind. That accidental moment changed the course of my life.
That’s what Erika and I want to give our students: the chance to see themselves as artists. Because once you can see it, you can become it.
This year, a lot of things are starting to move:
- A brand-new, high-tech film studio is being built at TAPCo (thanks to the vision of Principal Ron Link and the work of the teacher before me, Steven Mudrick).
- Our Film Program is expanding from Grades 10–12 to 9–12.
- We’re working to get double periods for our juniors and seniors to deepen their training.
And now:
- We’re launching TAPCo’s first-ever Film Festival — a celebration of student films, dance films, and visual arts exhibitions.
But we need help to make it happen.
The funds raised will go toward things like:
- Food and drinks for the students and guests
- A "Step and Repeat" banner for photos
- Diplomas and statuettes for our award winners
- Decorations, programs, and anything else that will make this a real red carpet event
In the past, many of you helped me raise over $100,000 for my Olympia documentary, $27,000 for my second documentary, and almost $20,000 for my AIDS/LifeCycle rides.
Today, I’m asking you again — but this time, it’s not for me.
It’s for the next generation of artists, who just need someone to believe in them.
If you can donate, THANK YOU.
If you’re a filmmaker who might want to be involved in next year’s expanded festival, send me a message.
If you can just share this with someone who loves the arts and education, that would mean the world.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Harry
Organizer
Harry Mavromichalis
Organizer
New York, NY