Rafael Espinal

Personal Account / NYC Commisioner of @madeinny

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

NYC can’t be the creative capital of the world if creatives can’t afford to live here. As the next @MadeinNY commissioner, I’m focused on real pipelines, making it easier to create here, and an affordability agenda that keeps working creatives in this city. Thank you @NYCMayor

[Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @NYCMayor]

Today we commit to making New York affordable not just for artists, but for making art. We are proud to name Rafael Espinal as Commissioner of @MadeinNY as we stand with union workers and usher in a new golden age of NYC creativity.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

New York City's the greatest place in the world to film; there's no doubt about it.

The city's open for film and TV production, and our office is raising the bar to find new ways to attract filmmakers to come shoot their next project right here.

Need more proof? Hear it straight from directors, writers, and actors Spike Lee, Amy Schumer, Natasha Lyonne @nlyonne, @darrenaronofsky, Celine Song and @johnkrasinski, who took part in MOME's "Make it in NY" campaign, where they talk about how incomparable it is to film throughout the five boroughs.

Watch the full video at https://t.co/k28QdU0vMp, and check out a preview at @Tribeca Festival.

Film/TV production is one of NYC's most important economic engines — creating good-paying union jobs, generating billions of dollars in local spending and driving business to all five boroughs. When the city's fighting to keep productions here, we're fighting for working people including the crew, caterers, and craftspeople whose livelihoods depend on this industry.

In addition to attractive NY State film tax credits and expansive studios and soundstages throughout the boroughs, MOME's making the filming process in NYC more seamless, thanks to our new and improved film permitting application system in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM).

We’re making NYC’s the most frictionless place to shoot in the world.

Filmmakers, your next shoot’s right here in New York City, and you’re in great company. We’ll see you on set and on the streets of our great city soon!

[Andrew Rigie @AndrewRigie]

It was an honor to interview my friend and now Commissioner Rafael Espinal at the New York Music Month Conference on the topic, “Keeping New York Sounding Like New York.”

#NYMusicMonth #NYCNightlife @MadeinNY

[Mark D. Levine @MarkLevineNYC]

I was in the City Council in 2016 when we approved a major rezoning of East New York to create more housing, led courageously by then local councilmember @RLEspinal.

It was by far the most bitterly opposed housing creation plan of the past decade in NYC. Protesters tried to shut down the City Council chamber.

A decade later almost all of the proposed 6,500 homes have been built, two-thirds affordable. There has been new infrastructure and upgraded parks. The African American and Latino populations of the neighborhood have increased.

Remember all this the next time there is fierce opposition to creating housing in NYC.

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

Proud of the work my team did with my neighbors & @BilldeBlasio to make the ENY rezoning a tool for affordability and investment. 10 years later, the results are a powerful reminder of why we made that choice. https://t.co/k21oZuphwc

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

@KeithPowersNYC Thanks! It wasn’t an easy process, but it ultimately aligned with the goals I had for my district: helping address Brooklyn’s affordability crisis while reversing decades of disinvestment.

[Keith Powers @KeithPowersNYC]

“The Brooklyn neighborhood has seen a boom in new construction — minus the gentrification and displacement that have plagued other parts of New York.”

Kudos to @RLEspinal on a success story.
https://t.co/aUEHvjdgPW

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

Our office @MadeinNY at work!

[New York Mickey @MickmickNYC]

Stepping directly onto the set of HBO's The Gilded Age in Manhattan today, and the production scale is absolutely mind-blowing. To completely transform modern New York City back to the 1880s, the crew laid down massive textured carpets over the asphalt to perfectly mimic historic stone streets. There are over 350 background actors fully dressed in period-accurate costumes, alongside dozens of real horse-drawn carriages filling the block. It is incredible to see how much physical craftsmanship goes into creating just a few moments of television magic.

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

NYC has the talent, crews, and infrastructure to remain the center of the film production world. But we also have to evolve and make filming easier, faster, and affordable long term to ensure NYC remains a place people can work and create. https://t.co/Nq40pIgTQj

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Ready to film in NYC? 🎬

Get all the details on needing & applying for a TV/movie filming permit and notifying local neighborhoods here: https://t.co/J80d1CWdZT

[SAG-AFTRA New York Local @SAGAFTRANY]

#SagAftra hosted #RocktheCity last night, bringing together NY labor leaders, public officials and entertainment & media professionals to celebrate the industry and legislative achievements over the past year. Thanks to @Deadline for partnering with us!

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Calling NYC filmmakers & storytellers!

@BRICTV's accepting pitches for scripted short films & pilots with funding from @NEAarts. Projects will receive funding, production support, and airing on BRIC’s e TV platforms.

Email: [email protected] [Subject: 2026 BRIC NEA Pitch / Project Name] to submit - deadline April 10!

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

NYC, don't miss out on the chance to check out a movie for free at independent theaters throughout the city as part of @ArtHouseNY Cinema Week, now through Friday!

For eligible groups check details at @gothamist.
https://t.co/aZcY36jp5p

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

@amitsinghbagga 🙏

[Commissioner Rafael Espinal @NYCMOMECommish]

It’s officially NYC’s first ever Cinema Week🍿(March 20–26)! @ArtHouseNY partnered with @MadeinNY to provide 5,000 free movie tix at indie theaters across the city to support this exciting initiative.
Eligibility's been expanded; check out https://t.co/9XvZ7tWirD for more info.🧵

[Rafael Espinal @RLEspinal]

Honored to present @rebeccadamon with a @MadeinNY Award at @NYWIFT’s Muse Awards. Her leadership on behalf of @sagaftra members and creative workers has made a real difference across the industry. Well deserved.

[SAG-AFTRA New York Local @SAGAFTRANY]

#SagAftra is proud to celebrate Chief Labor Policy Officer and NY Exec. Director Rebecca Damon for receiving the @MadeinNY Award at @NYWIFT’s 46th Annual Muse Awards Gala celebrating women of vision and achievement.

[Rebecca Damon @RebeccaDamonNYC]

Thank you to @NYWIFT and @rlespinal for honoring me with the 2026 @MadeinNY Award at the 46th Annual Muse Awards Gala celebrating women of vision and achievement. I am honored to be recognized, but even more grateful to continue working on behalf of #SagAftraMembers #NewYork

[Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @NYCMayor]

We’re partnering with Art House NY to give out 5,000 free movie tickets at independent theaters around the city.

Our independent theaters are among the best in the world — building community through culture and strengthening the local economy.

More New Yorkers deserve to experience them.

[Commissioner Rafael Espinal @NYCMOMECommish]

MOME & @nycgov are creating opportunities to make NYC more affordable & accessible to all.

We have a renewed focus on creating better paying jobs across media/entertainment thru workforce & education development, under the leadership of DM @JulieSuLabor.
https://t.co/x5UplJC3UL

[Andrew Holt @andyaholt]

This is really great. Also, @RLEspinal was an excellent choice for this role.