For the fifth consecutive year, Biola University’s Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts has earned a spot on TheWrap’s Top 50 Film Schools list. While all eyes are on the construction of the new 45,463-square-foot studio facility for the Snyder School, the academic rigor and overall quality of the school is not only growing, it is being nationally recognized.

“Once again, TheWrap has honored Biola University's Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts with recognizing us as one of the top film schools in the country,” said Tom Halleen, founding dean of the Snyder School. “To have the very industry for which we're preparing students recognize us as being one of the very best reflects that they're noticing the quality of our program, our faculty, our students and our alumni.”

TheWrap makes mention of the generous support of Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, owner and president of In-N-Out Burger, who gave Biola the largest gift the university has ever received, and emphasizes its use for the construction of the new studio facility. In addition, the gift allowed the creation of Biola’s new In-N-Out Burger Scholars fund — a scholarship awarded to at-risk and foster youth studying in the Snyder School. The magazine also spotlights Halleen for his experience in the industry as a former AMC executive and the 56% growth in enrollment in the school since the pandemic.

Biola is the only Christian university recognized on the list. An integral part of the Snyder School mission is to build students in both craft and character.

“Within the Snyder School, we know that preparing students for the world of media isn't just about having excellent technical skills but excellent character skills as well,” said Halleen. “We send the best of both into the film, television, digital media and game industries.”

Positioned just 25 miles outside of Hollywood, the world's entertainment epi-center, Biola students have easy access to the media industry, together with the studios, agencies, networks, production companies, and the corporations which operate them. This provides students with access to internships, industry leaders, guest speakers, networking, tours, and other industry experiences. The school’s in-house internship department assists students in landing internships at studios like Disney, Sony, DreamWorks, Marvel Animation, Twentieth Century Fox, PBS, The Television Academy, AMPAS, Television City and many other organizations.

TheWrap has ranked the top 50 film schools in the U.S. for nine years, but this year is the first year they partnered with Screen Engine/ASI, a data research company that focuses on the entertainment industry. Key elements including student retention, faculty qualification, equipment available to students and hands-on experience opportunities were weighed in the ranking.

Student filmmakers have had their work showcased at LA Shorts, Dances with Films, and the Newport Beach Film Festival. Analei Song’s narrative short One of My Own was a finalist in the Fine Cut Festival of Films and premiered on PBS SoCal on October 9. Alumni Kenny Ryan (’06) and Jacob Roman (’07) co-wrote the sci-fi thriller Elevation starring Anthony Mackie, which opened in theaters on November 8.

Biola’s proximity to Los Angeles lends itself to hosting industry leaders. This year, Biola has hosted events with entertainment experts such as social media mogul and filmmaker Zach King (’12), John Quinn (editor of The Chosen), John Gunn (EP and Director of Ordinary Angels) as well as a workshop on film casting led by casting director Lisa London of London/Stroud casting, a panel with Snyder School alumni who are working in different branches of the entertainment industry, and a talk by senior game designer Donald Barrett from Insomniac Games.

Biola was also named as one of 30 “top film schools” in North America by Variety earlier this year.

Biola University is the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) recognized as one of the top film schools by Variety and TheWrap. Learn more about applying to be a student in the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.