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Variety included 51�ԹϺ���’s Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts on its 2026 Education Impact Report as one of the top film schools in the nation. For the ninth consecutive year, Biola’s film school is being recognized by the leading industry publication as one of the best schools preparing students to rise to the challenges of the rapidly evolving filmmaking industry.

Biola is one of 26 film schools included in the report, “.” The schools recognized on the list “met challenges with creative opportunities for students seeking to break into showbiz” while also “locking down the basics of storytelling,” and the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts does just that.

"We're honored that the industry has validated the quality of our program, our team and our graduates,” said Tom Halleen, founding dean of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts. “It takes more than skill training to effectively equip students. We lean into the quality of one’s character in addition to their craft at the Snyder School.”

Variety’s blurb on Biola highlighted how the Snyder School brings in professionals from the business, “preparing students for the entertainment industry of today and tomorrow.” Just this year, the Snyder School hosted over 20 industry guests to discuss filmmaking, film production, cinematography, pitching, and game art and production with students. Alumni Courtney Coker (B.A. ’14), creative executive at Lucasfilm, Emilio Mazariegos (B.A. ’19), creative executive at Yoruba Saxon production company and Ellie Walker (Pappuleas, B.A. ’11), vice president of creative development at Sony’s Screen Gems, are just three of the talented individuals speaking into the lives and careers of this generation of film students at Biola.

In the article, Halleen spoke about Snyder students’ “qualities such as adaptability, reliability [and] collaboration.” He said, “If we can prioritize excellence in those areas, too, along with the craft, they will be better prepared for this ever-changing industry, because they’ll know how to adapt.”

And adapt they have. Alumna Hannah Chu (B.A. ’15) received five Emmy awards this year for the work she did on the Pixar show, “Win or Lose,” including receiving the award for Outstanding Children's or Young Teen Animated Series. Earlier this year, alumni Markus Kashouh (B.A. ’25) and Ariana Molina (B.A. ’25) saw their student film, Halfway, nominated for a prestigious College Television Award from the Television Academy Foundation. Current Game Design and Interactive Media major and Torrey Honors College student, Drew Magro, developed the soundtrack for the video game in production called Tassena.

Set to open for classes in Fall 2026, the school’s new 45,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art studio facility will provide students with space to collaborate across disciplines and pursue even the most specialized interests. Featuring a 3,000-square-foot soundstage, 285-seat theater, color grading and audio mixing suites, a scoring and Foley stage, motion capture technology and a game design studio, the facility bridges classroom learning with real-world studio experience in Los Angeles and beyond, equipping students to enter the industry with both strong foundations in craft and character.

In addition to this accolade, the Snyder School has been recognized as a top film school by publications such as The Hollywood Reporter, Filmmaker Magazine and TheWrap. Learn more and apply to be one of the first students to experience the brand new studio facility at the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, email sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu.