The Made in New York Production Assistant Program is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment is highlighting its success.

The five-week hands-on experience is designed to give New Yorkers interested in the production side of film and TV a chance to learn the skills to be successful in the industry. Students have gone on to have diverse careers working on movie sets, commercials, music videos and more throughout the city.

"It's important for us to ensure that New Yorkers have access to these jobs because they know the communities. They know how the city runs, and we think they're the best people to be working on location when these productions are landing in neighborhoods across the city," says Anne del Castillo, of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.

The competitive application process focuses on under-employed New Yorkers from throughout the five boroughs who are at least 18 years old.