Santa Monica College Among Top 30 Film Schools: New Ranking

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica College is among the 30 top film schools in the U.S. and Canada, according to a new ranking released Wednesday by MovieMaker Magazine.

SMC appears in the list alongside AFI Conservatory, Emerson College and UCLA.

"We have tried to balance the most elite schools with bargains, to ensure that everyone has the chance to make movies," the publication wrote. "All offer top-notch equipment, experienced faculty, and abundant networking opportunities."

MovieMaker highlighted SMC's strength in offering an affordable program in the epicenter of the entertainment industry, the college's record of transfers to UCLA and the school's blend of offerings in film theory and hands-on moviemaking.

"Santa Monica College offers an accessible, affordable film education at a fraction of the price of a four-year university,” said Tim Molloy, MovieMaker’s editor-in-chief. “Salvador Carrasco, the head of SMC’s film production program, makes sure students take a hands-on approach to film production so they come out of SMC with real experience, whether they go looking immediately for opportunities in TV or film, or further their educations: SMC has a strong record of transfers to UCLA and other top universities.”

SMC offers two-year film studies and film production programs. Students receive instruction in preproduction, production and postproduction from faculty who are actively working in the industry, SMC said.

“We are delighted to have once again been ranked as one of the best film schools in North America by such a prestigious, well-respected institution as MovieMaker magazine,” Carasco said.

The college's film program launched in 2010. Since then, eight SMC student films have been selected for the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival. Among them was 2021's Best Student Film winner "Broken Layers."

View the complete list of the 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada at MovieMaker magazine.