Santa Monica College has been named one of the 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada by MovieMaker magazine, marking the third time the community college has earned recognition on the publication's prestigious annual list.
The 2024 ranking places Santa Monica College alongside elite institutions including the AFI Conservatory, Columbia University, New York University, UCLA, USC, and Vancouver Film School. The recognition highlights the college's commitment to providing high-quality film education at an affordable price point.
"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," said Salvador Carrasco, SMC film production faculty lead.
MovieMaker magazine specifically praised the college as "one of the most affordable options for learning the ropes while studying near the epicenter of the entertainment industry." The publication noted that Carrasco "extols the mantra that no student should be denied an opportunity because of socioeconomic background."
This philosophy sets Santa Monica College apart in higher education, where film school tuition at private institutions can exceed $200,000 for a four-year degree. The college offers both Associate of Science degrees and Certificates of Achievement in Film Production, allowing students to enter the workforce or transfer to four-year universities without accumulating massive debt.
"Students should be able to receive the highest-quality filmmaking education without having to incur financial debt for years, if not decades to come," Carrasco said.
The program's success extends beyond affordability. Since launching in fall 2010, Santa Monica College's film program has produced 30 short films through its capstone class, Film 33. The quality of student work has earned international recognition, with MovieMaker noting that "three SMC films recently played the Oscar-qualifying L.A. Shorts International Film Festival."
Over the past decade, eight SMC student films have been selected for the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival, including 2021's Best Student Film winner "Broken Layers."
The accolades continue across numerous festivals. SMC student films have won awards at the Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum, earned the Panavision Limelight Award at the Ojai Film Festival, and claimed Best Short honors at festivals in Vienna, San Diego and Prague. International recognition includes the Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival, several Gold Remi Awards at WorldFest-Houston, and Prix Interculturel at the International Festival of Film Schools in Munich.
Industry support has also grown, with the program receiving production grants from The Golden Globe Foundation and co-production sponsorships from Keslow Camera, Roundabout Entertainment, Enhanced Media and the Next Generation Indie Film Awards Foundation.
The college's approach emphasizes hands-on learning with professional mentorship. Faculty members are actively working in the film industry, providing students with real-world guidance in all aspects of preproduction, production and postproduction.
"Our faculty are actively teaching, challenging, and helping our students achieve what they set out to do with on-set professional guidance and mentorship," Carrasco said. "Rather than send out students to film on their own, SMC's approach ensures that when students graduate from our program, they have role models to emulate in terms of working methodology, safety procedures, and high-standard results."
Santa Monica College previously appeared on MovieMaker's Top 40 list in 2022 and earned recognition on the Top 12 in the U.S. West and Northwest list the same year.
The college's broader academic reputation supports its film program's success. For 34 consecutive years, SMC has been California's leading transfer college to UCLA, UC Berkeley and other University of California campuses. It also leads to transfers to USC and Loyola Marymount University.
Students and prospective applicants can learn more about the film program at smc.edu/film or by contacting Carrasco at Carrasco_Salvador@smc.edu. The program maintains a YouTube channel showcasing student work after films complete the festival circuit.