SMC alongside Stanford University, UCLA, USC, ArtCenter College of Design, and California Institute of the Arts, among others
Santa Monica College (SMC) has been named one of Movie Maker’s 40 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada of 2022, and one of the top 12 in the U.S. West and Northwest alongside Stanford University, UCLA, USC, ArtCenter College of Design, and California Institute of the Arts, among others. The annual list recognizes schools that prepare students for every aspect of moviemaking—spanning world-renowned universities as well as rising, surprisingly affordable institutions. SMC was recognized for “outstanding film production training.”
“Santa Monica College is a fantastic bet for someone who wants to live in the heart of the film industry without going into debt for years,” said Tim Molloy, MovieMaker editor in chief. “If you believe the film and TV industry should be open to people who aren’t the children of millionaires — and we certainly do — we need more institutions with the affordability and drive of SMC. In addition to its professionalism and openness to all, it happens to be a beautiful campus in a gorgeous part of the world.”
Since its launch in fall 2010, Santa Monica College’s award-winning film program has made 30 short films linked to the capstone class, Film 33.
“All of these films have won awards at domestic and international film festivals,” said Salvador Carrasco, the college’s film production faculty lead. “This stems not from any sort of black magic, but from the staunch belief in our SMC academic model: We make one film (sometimes two) per semester, and there is a collective sense of belonging about the films in question. In addition, all our instructors are active professionals in the film industry, and we are present on set at all times, supervising and actively teaching our students. This allows us to help them achieve what they set out to do, and they can also take creative risks because we are there to make sure they won’t fail.”
Carrasco stated that with regards to the SMC film production program’s education policy, “we cater to both above-the-line and below-the-line careers in film production,” adding, “We’re incredibly proud and grateful to be featured in MovieMaker’s 2022 ‘Best Film Schools’ list.”
Santa Monica College’s film production program has had seven student films selected for the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival, including 2021’s Best Student Film winner “Broken Layers.”
In addition, SMC student films have won numerous accolades—including production grants from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and the Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum, co-production sponsorships from Keslow Camera, Roundabout Entertainment, and the Next Generation Indie Film Awards Foundation; the Panavision Limelight Award at the Ojai Film Festival; Best Short at the Vienna Independent Film Festival, Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival, several Gold Remi Awards at WorldFest-Houston, Best Short at Port Blair International Film Festival in India, Best Short Drama at the San Diego International Film Festival; Best Short at the Prague Independent Film Festival; Prix Interculturel at the International Festival of Film Schools in Munich; and Winner at the Women’s Independent Film Festival, among many other awards. In addition, SMC short films have been selected to screen in many other prestigious domestic and international film festivals.
“The film production program is a terrific example of Santa Monica College’s mission at work: the most accessible, equitable education provided to diverse students, helping them fulfill their highest potential,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery. “This is made possible by the guidance and tutelage of world-class instructors, representing the best in their fields. We are so proud of this latest accomplishment!”
The complete list of MovieMaker’s 40 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada of 2022 follows:
· AFI Conservatory
· ArtCenter College of Design
· Boston University
· California Institute of the Arts
· California State University, Northridge
· Capilano University
· Chapman University
· Columbia University
· Columbia College Chicago
· Concordia University
· Dartmouth College
· DePaul University
· Emerson College
· Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema (Brooklyn College/CUNY)
· Florida State University, College of Motion Picture Arts
· Full Sail University
· Loyola Marymount University
· New York University
· Northwestern University
· Oklahoma City Community College
· Rhode Island School of Design
· Ringling College of Art and Design
· San Francisco State University
· Santa Monica College
· Savannah College of Art and Design
· Stanford University
· Simon Fraser University
· Syracuse University
· Toronto Film School at Yorkville University
· Toronto Metropolitan University
· University of British Columbia
· University of California, Los Angeles
· University of Colorado Denver
· University of Missouri, Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism
· University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of the Arts
· University of Southern California
· University of Texas at Austin
· Vancouver Film School
· Wesleyan University
· York University
