La Mirada, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 — The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts at Biola University — recognized as one of the nation’s top film schools — will celebrate the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art studio facility with a dedication ceremony on October 15, 2026. Ground was broken on the three-story, 45,463-square-foot building on September 6, 2024, and its official opening marks a major milestone for media education both at the university and in the region.

The facility was made possible by a generous lead donation from Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, owner and president of In-N-Out Burger®. Given in honor of her grandmother, Esther L. Snyder, for whom the school is named, this contribution funded in part the new studio facility and established the In-N-Out Scholars Fund, an annual scholarship awarded to at-risk and foster youth who are aspiring film students.

Rivaling some of the best educational facilities in the nation for media training, the new facility features a 3,000-square-foot soundstage, a 277-seat theater, millions of dollars of state-of-the-art technology, editing spaces, game design studio, writers’ rooms, screening classrooms, a Foley stage, color grading suites, and more. Biola’s program supports a “four screen” media curriculum, equipping and educating students to be effective storytellers and leaders on the film screen, television screen, computer screen and a personal device screen. The Snyder School greenlights more than 500 student productions annually and has been regularly recognized as a top-film program by Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and TheWrap.

“Our new studio facility represents Biola’s dedication to the highest level of media education and investment in the next generation of storytellers,” said Tom Halleen, founding dean of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts. “Our faculty and staff are preparing the hearts, minds, and voices of students to go into the world, well prepared in their craft and demonstrating great character. This new facility allows us to invest in that mission through exceptional facilities and equipment, giving students the technical, creative and life skills they need to navigate the entertainment industry with excellence.”

As Biola’s fastest-growing school and second-largest undergraduate program, the Snyder School serves as a leading source of talent for the entertainment industry, with over 1,000 active alumni, including social media personality Zach King, game producer Natalie Pohorski, and television producer John Mabry. Benefiting from its close proximity to Los Angeles, 100% of its students secure industry internships. Graduates have built careers at top media companies including Disney, Netflix, Hulu, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount, Pixar, Marvel, ILM, Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Lucasfilm, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Studios, AMPAS and more.

“Biola has had an enduring commitment to educating students to be transformative voices within the cultural sphere of media and entertainment,” said Dr. Barry H. Corey, president of Biola University. “This work began nearly 50 years ago, when Biola first began teaching radio, television and film. We believed in 1977, as we do today, that our students should be known not only for their technical expertise, but also for their integrity and ability to tell stories that reflect beauty, goodness and truth. This new studio facility builds on that legacy, giving students the resources and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to one of the most influential industries in the world.”

Press are invited to the Studio Facility Dedication, to be held Thursday, October 15, 2026. To RSVP or to schedule interviews, please contact media.relations@biola.edu.

View Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts building photo assets here.

Learn more about the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts here. 

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Founded in 1908, Biola University is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service — equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. With more than 5,600 students at its Southern California campus and around the world, Biola’s seven schools offer more than 250 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Recognized as the most comprehensive Christian university, Biola offers its students a premier educational and co-curricular experience. For more information, visit biola.edu or call (562) 903-6000.