Catching up with NYFA Alum Stephen Hintz

In this Q&A, we reconnect with NYFA alum Stephen Hintz. Since graduating from the Screenwriting Program at the New York City campus, Stephen has been steadily building an impressive and diverse body of work—from writing a Japanese-adapted streetball comedy to co-writing The Hill, which became the #1 movie on Netflix for over a month. We caught up with him to learn more about his creative journey, the projects he’s brought to life, and what’s next on the horizon.

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

Stephen Hintz (S.H): I’m originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before moving into film, I worked as a freelance writer and founded a social service agency that supported youth and families. I wrote my first script, Cool Breeze, in my attic in my apartment in Milwaukee after reading a book on screenwriting. I then shot a little bootleg trailer for the film to showcase the potential. As you can probably guess, it didn't go very far. Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue filmmaking more seriously. I'd always dreamed of living in New York City, and when the opportunity arose, I moved there and enrolled in the New York Film Academy.

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? Have you won any awards or been showcased in any festivals or competitions?
S.H: Since graduating, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects. I wrote and developed a cooking show for kids. A streetball basketball comedy I wrote was translated into Japanese and made overseas. I later raised money to shoot a version of that film in the U.S., but pivoted to produce a different indie drama instead with a writer friend of mine. Years later, that same friend and I co-wrote the original draft of a feature film, The Hill, that went on to become the #1 movie on Netflix for over a month. I also Executive Produced a feature Battlecreek directed by Alison Eastwood, starring several acclaimed actors, and co-wrote The Forever Tree, a short film directed by Alrick Brown that premiered at the Bentonville Film Festival. We’re currently developing it as a feature.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about your latest project & how you got involved in it.
S.H: One of my latest projects is a heist film based on the true story of the 2015 theft of a priceless Stradivarius violin. I was introduced to the story through a mutual connection and partnered with the individual at the center of it after his release from prison. I’ve also recently completed a feature adaptation of a well-known novel set in the 1980s New York art scene, which is currently being animated for a sizzle reel. Additional projects include a biographical film about a pioneering basketball coach and a personal historical project about recovering the remains of my grandfather, a WWII fighter pilot.

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?
S.H: NYFA provided my foundational training in screenwriting. Before NYFA, it was me and the book How to Write a Screenplay in 21 Days...lol.  NYFA is where I learned how to structure a script and commit to the discipline of the craft. Being in New York itself was incredibly inspiring. I often wrote late into the night at cafes near Union Square, soaking in the energy of the city. While there, I also landed my first industry internship by knocking on doors in Tribeca. That experience...reading scripts, writing coverage, and learning from professionals was crucial. The instructors at NYFA didn’t just teach writing; they offered real-world insights into the business of filmmaking. After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles and continued interning with respected producers, further developing my skills and industry understanding.

NYFA congratulates Stephen on all his success!