PARTICIPATING COLLEGES
If you are serious about pursuing a career in film, you'll need to know what higher education opportunities are available. Our College Corner is here to help! Film and Media have become immensely popular areas of study and there are literally hundreds of schools offering a diverse range of programming. This page offers an organized and expansive list of schools that focus on creative arts education so that you can make informed decisions about your future as a creative. Take some time to check out each school and their unique approach to film and media education. Invite your parents and guidance counselors to review the material with you. This will help you feel confident that you're finding a fit that will recognize your talents and help you fulfill your dreams. The schools featured here support our festival because they value your passion and talent.
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Florida State University — College of Motion Picture Arts
Built on story, the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts immerses students in the art of filmmaking. Whether specializing in live-action, animation, or visual effects, students learn how to write and direct films that utilize the various tools they need to tell their stories from script to screen. The College, ranked #13 by The Hollywood Reporter, teaches the craft of filmmaking, but more importantly, the scalable skills to tell stories effectively, artfully, and authentically – regardless of background, capital, or circumstances.
The Film School puts additional emphasis on collaboration by training students to be renaissance filmmakers and unselfish collaborators. Instead of renting or competing for resources, every student is guaranteed equal access to a full range of industry-standard equipment and facilities. Additionally, the College provides funding for each student production.
Website: film.fsu.edu
Contact: Paige Roberts, Head of Admissions proberts@fsu.edu 850-644-8524
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) — School of Film and Acting
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in more than 40 majors across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow.
SCAD is one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Top 25 Best Film Schools" and is ranked among top schools in costume design, drama, and animation categories. The university's School of Film and Acting offers degrees in acting, film and television, production design, and sound design. With resources that rival Hollywood studios, award-winning professors, stunning locations, a professionally run casting office, and stellar film and television festivals, the SCAD School of Film and Acting is the ideal place to launch into the film and television industry.
Students are prepared to command roles onstage and on screen through live performances, sitcoms, dramatic series, music videos, commercials, and more. According to Business Facilities Magazine, Georgia is among the top ranked in the U.S. for film production, uniquely positioning our SCAD Bees for extraordinary opportunities in the multibillion-dollar film and entertainment industry.
Website: scad.edu/academics/programs/film-and-television
Program reel: SCAD School of Film and Acting
Contact: Savannah College of Art and Design Admission — admission@scad.edu
Chapman University — Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Dodge College offers a complete array of undergraduate and graduate degrees for students interested in all facets of film and media arts. The Sodaro-Pankey Undergraduate School of Media Arts offers bachelor degrees in Animation and Visual Effects, Broadcast Journalism and Documentary, Creative Producing, Film and Media Studies, Film and Television Production, Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing, Screen Acting, and Writing for Film and Television.
Website: chapman.edu/dodge
Program reel: Watch here
Contact: Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts dodgeadmit@chapman.edu (714) 997-6996
Temple University — School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
The Temple University Department of Film and Media Arts is a top tier production and studies program, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the art of narrative, documentary and experimental cinematic and creative media work. The Department of Film and Media Arts trains students from a fine arts perspective, fostering the development of an original vision through learning and developing professional industrial film skills and forging connections in the areas of Directing, Screenwriting, Producing, Cinematography, Post-Production, Animation, and more.
Our students have received top prizes in major student competitions in the United States and abroad, as well as high-level professional recognition, including Hollywood’s coveted Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting, several Oscar wins and nominations, accolades at Cannes and Sundance, and awards from both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Students also have received nationally competitive University Film and Video Association production grants, National Endowment for the Arts media fellowships, Eastman Kodak Scholarships, and the Princess Grace Award, among other awards.
Website: tfma.temple.edu/fma
Program Contacts: Josette Todaro, Assoc. Director of Admissions and Recruitment josettetodaro@temple.edu 215-204-3209
Professor Chet Pancake Associate Professor, Chair of Film and Media Arts chet.pancake@temple.edu
SMU — Meadows Division of Film and Media Arts
SMU Meadows Division of Film and Media Arts is devoted to training and mentoring students to become artists in film and media. Students can gain hands-on access to equipment the very first semester and have numerous opportunities to hone their craft in scriptwriting, directing, producing, lighting, audio recording and more, whether it be for class projects, film festivals or for the Division's biennial full-length feature film project, produced entirely by students with the mentorship of industry-respected faculty. Alumni enjoy careers as directors, screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, media executives and artistic directors, with work ranging from documentaries and shorts and feature-length films to television series and online digital videos. Alumni awards are many, including the 2012 Oscar for Best Animated Short (William Joyce, '81); a 2013 Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing on the film Lincoln (Ron Judkins, '75); and numerous Emmy, Telly and Peabody awards.
Website: smu.edu/meadows/areasofstudy/filmmediaarts
Program video: Watch here
Contact: film@smu.edu (214) 768-2129
Hofstra University — Herbert School of Communication
Pursue your passion for filmmaking just miles from New York City. Learn what it's like to direct your own film using Hollywood-quality equipment. Master the ins and outs of film production. See why the Hofstra film program has been recognized by Variety as both a top school for media and entertainment professionals and as a "stellar" film program worldwide.
Website: hofstra.edu/undergraduate/film
Herbert School of Communication: hofstra.edu/communication
Degree options:
BA in Film Studies and Production — Designed for the student who is interested in the creation and production of narrative or documentary feature or short films; you'll study writing, designing, directing, and editing films in traditional and digital formats. Program requirements
BS in Video/Television and Film — Prepares students for careers with a more technical, specialized approach to television, video, and film production; courses include advanced theatrical production, television technologies, multi-camera production, and a production practicum. Program requirements
BFA in Filmmaking — Allows students to take a wider range of specialized courses in various aspects of the craft—such as cinematography, sound design, editing, digital post-production, and screenwriting. Program requirements
BFA in Writing for the Screen — Provides instruction for dramatic writers across all platforms, offering deep study in professional writing practice in pre-professional settings to prepare our graduates to excel in "writing rooms" for all manner of screen media, new and old. Program requirements
Explore Hofstra: Herbert School Viewbook Meet the Faculty Explore Your Career Potential Explore Your Opportunities See What Our Alums Are Doing Now See Our Facilities
Request information: admission.hofstra.edu
Program Contacts: William Jennings, MFA, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Radio, Television, Film — william.jennings@hofstra.edu George Nicolas, MFA, Associate Professor and Film Area Coordinator — George.P.Nicholas@hofstra.edu
Drexel University — Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
In Drexel's comprehensive and rigorous Film & Television program, we want you to tell stories. In your first week, we will give you cameras and send you out searching; you'll learn to use sound to draw in viewers, and the craft of editing to connect them with characters.
Website: drexel.edu/westphal/academics/undergraduate
Request information: drexel.edu/westphal/admissions/request-information
Program reel: Drexel Film & Television Highlight Reel
Contact: John Avarese, MPSE, CAS, Program Director, Film & Television — Jva23@drexel.edu
MetFilm School
MetFilm School offers practical, industry-connected undergraduate degrees in filmmaking, screen acting, film business and production, and creative media across campuses in London, Berlin, Brighton, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester. Students learn by doing, working with professional equipment, industry-active tutors, and a community of fellow creatives to build the skills, portfolio, and network needed for a career in the screen industries.
Website: metfilmschool.ac.uk
Download prospectus: metfilmschool.ac.uk/download-prospectus
Program reel: MetFilm School
Contact: Will Abraham, Associate Head of International Recruitment, North America (New York City-based), MetFilm School | BIMM University — WillAbraham@bimm.ac.uk
Boston University — Department of Film and Television
Boston University's Department of Film and Television equips emerging storytellers with the fundamentals to innovate in an ever-evolving media landscape. We combine hands-on craft and technical practice with creative skills, enabling students to develop their voice and bring powerful stories to life. The rigorous study of film, television, and emerging platforms emphasizes visual and narrative exploration, historical context, cultural impact, critical analysis, and forward-looking technologies. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagement, and professional internships, we empower students to thrive as inventive and strategic leaders in the continuously transforming global media environment.
Website: bu.edu/com/programs/film-television
Ringling College of Art and Design — Film Department
The Film Department at Ringling College of Art and Design stands apart by offering undergraduates exclusive access to resources typically reserved for graduate-level programs. Our students enjoy direct mentorship from experienced faculty, professional-grade equipment, and unrestricted use of industry-standard facilities without competing with graduate students for time or resources. Our facilities include five soundstages, digital cinema cameras from Arri, Canon, Sony and Blackmagic, a Fisher 11 dolly, two color grading suites, a Foley stage, recording studio, Dolby Atmos dubbing stage, eighteen private editing suites, and two LED Walls: a 24' × 12' wall for students and a 50' × 16' 6" curved wall for client and student productions.
The most valuable aspect of our program is our collaborative learning environment. Students don't simply create their own films. They crew on classmates' projects throughout their four years, working in nearly every role imaginable on a film set. By graduation, each student will have contributed to 60 student films, building an extensive portfolio and comprehensive skill set. This immersive, hands-on undergraduate experience produces students with the technical expertise, creative portfolio, and professional confidence to enter the film industry immediately upon graduation, ready to make meaningful contributions from day one.
Website: ringling.edu/academics/majors/film
Program reels:
Program Contacts:
Patrick Alexander, Dept Head of Film — palexand@c.ringling.edu, 941-309-4450
Gregg Prigerson, Dean of Admissions — gprigers@ringling.edu, 941-359-7526
Columbia College Chicago
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago's Cultural Mile, Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit college offering a distinctive curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts, and business for nearly 6,700 students in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Dedicated to academic excellence and long-term career success, Columbia College Chicago creates a dynamic, challenging, and collaborative space for students who see the world through a creative lens.
Website:colum.edu
Contact:Admissions@colum.edu
Indiana University — The Media School
The Media School combines decades-long traditions of journalism and communications with a commitment to preparing students for 21st-century media careers. Our graduates are journalists and marketing professionals, advertising executives and public relations experts, filmmakers and directors, scholars, game designers, researchers and more. Together, we're creating the media landscape of the future.
Website:go.iu.edu/film
Contact:mschinfo@indiana.edu
Rutgers — Mason Gross School of the Arts
The Rutgers Filmmaking Center provides students with a rigorous technical and theoretical foundation for the BFA degree program, which Variety named "one of the top programs in the United States." With resources and training such as the Documentary Film Lab, intensive production classes, advanced technical workshops, and groundbreaking curriculum, students discover their personal aesthetics and express themselves intellectually and creatively.
Website:masongross.rutgers.edu/degrees-programs/filmmaking
Program video:Watch here
Contact: Peg Barbarite, Associate Director of Recruitment Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University 848-932-9190
Syracuse University — Newhouse School of Public Communications
The Newhouse School is the most comprehensive standalone school of communication in the country, offering programs that span the communications industry. At the Newhouse School, we're training the next generation of communications leaders—professionals who are prepared not only to enter a rapidly-changing media industry, but also to shape its future.
Website:newhouse.syr.edu
Temple University — Klein College of Media and Communication
Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication is an innovative hub for aspiring media professionals, offering hands-on experience in media production, television, and digital media. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on real-world skills, students get the opportunity to create impactful content and build a dynamic portfolio. Whether you are interested in storytelling, production, or media management, Klein College prepares you for a successful career in the ever-evolving media landscape.
Temple is building a state-of-the-art, transformative facility on the west side of North Broad Street. The Caroline Kimmel Pavilion of Arts and Communication will house Klein College, Temple Student Media, the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts, and Temple University Opera Theater. More than a building, it will be a dynamic space that fosters creativity, collaboration and connection—with one another and our North Philadelphia neighbors. Expected opening – Fall 2027. Learn more
Website: klein.temple.edu
Highlight reel: Temple Klein 2026 Highlight Reel
Contact: Frank Bowman, Director for Enrollment Management frank.bowman@temple.edu 215-204-5712
New York Film Academy (NYFA)
The New York Film Academy (NYFA) is one of the world's leading hands-on film, media, and performing arts schools. With campuses in New York City and Los Angeles, NYFA empowers the next generation of storytellers through immersive, project-based training led by industry professionals. In fact, BFA Filmmaking students work on at least 36 film productions during their first year alone, collaborating on live sets and building professional experience from day one.
Website:nyfa.edu
Highlight reel:Watch here
Contact:undergraduateadmissions@nyfa.edu
Emerson College — School of Film, Television and Media Arts
From your first year, you'll write, shoot, edit, produce, animate, analyze, and collaborate across the media arts—with access to professional spaces, industry-minded faculty, and a creative community that takes your ideas seriously.
And, you're never boxed in here. Whether you're drawn to narrative film, television, animation, installation art, virtual and augmented reality, or other emerging forms of storytelling, this is where you start turning what you imagine into something real. It's an approach that has earned Emerson recognition as the #5 film school in the country by The Hollywood Reporter.
Website: emerson.edu/schools/school-of-film-television-and-media-arts
Contact: Monica Rivera Sosa, Undergraduate Admission Counselor — monica_riverasosa@emerson.edu, (939) 633-9218
Rose Bruford College — School of Performance, Design and Production Arts
Rose Bruford College offers specialist, practice-led undergraduate programmes focused on performance, design and production arts, designed to prepare students for professional careers across theatre and the wider creative industries.
For 2027 entry, the College BA (Hons) programmes include Acting, Actor Musicianship, Acting for Screen and Devised Performance, International Acting Practices, Costume Production, Creative Lighting Control, Scenic Arts, and Stage Management. Located in Sidcup, Southeast London, the College provides students with access to the UK's vibrant theatre and creative industries while remaining within easy reach of central London.
Website: bruford.ac.uk
Highlight reel: Welcome to Rose Bruford College
Contact: Sharath Meppallil, International Recruitment and Conversion Manager — international@bruford.ac.uk
CalArts — School of Film/Video
The BFA in Film and Video at CalArts is a four-year, hands-on program focused on developing students as independent, multidisciplinary filmmakers and moving-image artists. Through intensive technical training, experimentation, mentorship, and critical study, students explore a wide range of forms—from narrative and documentary to experimental film, installation, and hybrid media—while developing their own artistic voice and vision.
Website: calarts.edu
Contact: Ani Kazandjian, Assistant Director of Admissions, School of Film/Video — akazandjian@calarts.edu
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a nationally recognized Jesuit, Catholic university in Los Angeles known for its strong academic programs, beautiful campus, and commitment to educating the whole person. With a student-centered approach and a top 5 film school, LMU combines rigorous academics with opportunities for research, internships, service, and engagement in the vibrant Los Angeles community. LMU prepares students to lead lives of purpose by encouraging intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and a commitment to creating positive change in the world.
Website: lmu.edu