John Monaco is an 18-year-old cinematographer and photojournalist based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. He explores the nuances of daily life and the human condition using the city, along with his own community in Arlington, Virginia as a 6th-generation native, as his subjects.

His filmmaking journey began in 2023, when he was one of the 15 students selected to be in NYU’s 14-week, full-scholarship, Future Filmmakers Workshop (Spike Lee's visit to FFW Final Screening).

While a student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, he served as a judge for the National Portrait Gallery’s Teen Portrait Competition and served on Howard University’s Youth Television Board. His photography won a National Gold Medal in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and was exhibited at the Scholastic Headquarters. His films have been official selections in the National Film Festival for Talented Youth and Yale Student Film Festival.  

As a Martin Luther King Scholar at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he will continue to capture images that will foster respect, understanding, and community.

Articles & News:

Black NYU filmmakers bring culture and creativity to the screen

Duke Ellington Students present work in Annual PhotovilleFestival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

NYU Photography and Imaging Department Magazine, Fall 2025 Issue

Local Students Impress at D.C. Film Festival

High school students explore DC gentrification in new short film

Independent Film Forum Showcases Teens’ Strong Works

Sitar Arts Center Announces Winners of the Set in DC Film Festival