For the second year in a row, 91妻友鈥檚 Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts has been recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 top film schools by entertainment news site, . Biola is one of 50 schools on .

In spring of 2020, Executive Vice President at AMC Networks, Tom Halleen left his position at AMC to become Biola鈥檚 founding dean of its Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts.

鈥淏iola's Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts is honored to once again be listed as a best in class film school,鈥� said Halleen. 鈥淟ocated just a short drive from Hollywood, we pride ourselves in the integration of creative and technical training, industry access and a collaborative spirit which sets our students apart. Whether film, television, digital media or game design, we're more than just a film school. We not only teach the skills required by the industry, but we also teach collaboration and character for our students to stand out.鈥�

The Wrap featured Biola for its commendable faculty to student ratio, industry connections and expert faculty.

鈥淎t the border of L.A. and Orange counties in La Mirada, Biola鈥檚 School of Cinema and Media Arts offers a B.A. that trains students in film production, screenwriting and media management 鈥榯o tell stories that matter,鈥� spokesperson Jenna Loumagne said. Founding Dean Tom Halleen walked from his executive VP job at AMC Networks 鈥� where he helped launch 鈥楾he Walking Dead,鈥� 鈥楳ad Men鈥� and 鈥楤reaking Bad鈥� 鈥� to join the private evangelical Christian university. In the past few years, Biola鈥檚 joint has grown from a stand-alone major to a multi-program school, with plans for a new $76 million building underway. Grads include 鈥楧octor Strange鈥� director Scott Derrickson, Scientific and Technical Achievement Oscar winner Brian Hall and social media star Zach King,鈥� said The Wrap鈥檚 statement on Biola.

Biola鈥檚 Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts is anticipating a brand-new $76 million building to become its new permanent home. The 45,000-plus square-foot facility will house a 300-seat theater, sound stage, scoring stage, motion capture stage, Foley stage, color correction, mixing, recording and editing rooms, computer labs, three classrooms and faculty and staff offices. A hallmark of Biola鈥檚 film school is the access students in the program have immediately upon entering Biola, which currently includes almost $4 million worth of state-of-the-art equipment.

Recently, an equipment annex was approved to be added to the master plan for the new building. The two-story cinema and media arts annex designed specifically for storing sets and equipment will be added to the north side of the current Production Center. It will include a mezzanine and equipment lift to maximize storage, and also include a loading dock for efficient pick up and return of equipment from location shoots.

Faculty teaching in the Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts include industry experts and active filmmakers, producers and writers such as Abel Vang, Dean Yamada and John Schmidt. Most recently, screenwriter and comedian Jim Hope joined Biola鈥檚 film school faculty to teach Biola鈥檚 screenwriting courses.

For anyone interested in film, Southern California is the place to be. Biola, located approximately 25 miles from the entertainment capital of the world, puts students in close proximity to Hollywood, home to some of the world鈥檚 leading studios, networks and major production companies, where they will benefit from top-tier internship and mentorship opportunities. Biola students intern at places like Netflix, Disney, NBC, Warner Bros., Marvel Entertainment and more.

Recent Snyder Cinema and Media Arts alumni are making an impact across the entertainment industry. Read Biola Magazine鈥檚 recent feature article 鈥�30 to Watch (Literally)鈥� and learn more about 30 recent graduates and their success in the industry.

The Wrap is not the only publication to notice Biola鈥檚 Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts. In April, Biola made a fourth consecutive appearance on 痴补谤颈别迟测鈥檚 list of the world鈥檚 top 50 film schools 鈥� one of just a few Christian universities to make the cut.

Get to know Biola鈥檚 Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts founding dean in the Biola Magazine article, 鈥�More than a film school.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Biola鈥檚 B.A. in Cinema and Media Arts has 8 concentrations in production, editing, cinematography, sound design, visual effects and 3D animation, directing, entertainment business and creative producing. Apply and learn more about the .