Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts Dedicates New Studio Facility with Red Carpet and In-N-Out Celebration

Few things capture Los Angeles quite like Hollywood, In-N-Out BurgerⓇ and Biola University, each with a rich history rooted in the region. Those distinctly LA legacies converged for one evening on October 15, 2026 as a red carpet, bright lights and burgers set the scene for the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the state-of-the-art, 45,463-square-foot studio facility home of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts, honoring Biola’s storied past while looking boldly toward its future in media and film. 

The dedication ceremony served as a ribbon-cutting for the new studio facility and the public unveiling of Streams of Influence: The Campaign for Biola University, a $250 million fundraising initiative, the most ambitious in the university’s 118-year history. The studio facility for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts is the hallmark of the campaign. 

With more than 1,500 guests in attendance and viewers joining virtually via livestream, the dedication ceremony was preceded by a red carpet experience with screens highlighting stories of Biola graduates throughout history who have shared their influence in their communities, workplaces and beyond, starting at the Bell Tower, Biola’s iconic landmark at the heart of campus. Upon arriving to the new studi facility area, guests were met with a special backdrop, photographers and a live red carpet show where many alumni, students and supporters were interviewed about their time in the Snyder School and beyond. The dedication ceremony that followed invited guests to an inside look into the building, not just through building tours, but through Biola leaders revealing the heart behind the growth of the school.

“We are witnessing what I believe is a holy moment. Because at Biola, we must see every cultural arena as a place we neither run from nor demonize. And this includes all that will happen in this building and through our graduates. And I mean blockbuster feature films and independent cinema, network television and original streaming series, film festival premieres and documentaries, eye-popping special effects and game entertainment, micro-dramas and webisodes,” said Barry H. Corey, president of Biola University, during his address to the audience. “We are and have been a university committed to embracing the cultural moment without abandoning our biblical faith, without shrinking back in fear.”

Tom Halleen, founding dean of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts, shared that the building is not the end goal, but only the starting place for students to grow and create.

“This facility matters because of what will happen inside it,” said Halleen. “A student will stand behind a camera for the first time and discover their voice. A writer will wrestle with a story until they find a way to communicate truth. Students in film, television, digital media and game development will take risks, make mistakes, learn from failure and create work they once thought was beyond their reach. And in the process, they will shape not only the artists they will become, but the people they will become.” 

The $75 million building broke ground on September 6, 2024, made possible by a lead donation made by Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, owner and president of In-N-Out Burger. The school is named in honor of her grandmother, Esther L. Snyder, who was a longtime friend and supporter of Biola. During her address at the ceremony, Snyder-Ellingson reflected on how students will go through the building and shine light beyond the screen.

“I think of the influence and the many lights that will shine before men that will go through this building,” said Snyder-Ellingson. “It’s not about the building. It’s about the gifted individuals who have a passion and calling. These students will bring something to get the attention of a perverse world and show them that the light on the screen or the different modalities of media and arts can share the gospel and real stories that others can relate to.”

Snyder-Ellingson and Corey cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of the front doors of the building, joined by her husband Sean Ellingson, Biola Board of Trustees Chair and Vice Chair, Brad Cole and Philip Paul, California State Assemblywoman, Blanca Pacheco, La Mirada Mayor, Anthony Otero and other university and community leaders.

Following the ceremony, guests were welcomed into the building to catch a glimpse of the facility. A special exhibit brought the Van Daele Soundstage to life, allowing guests to walk through an experience showcasing how students are already radiating streams of influence into the world, including students in the Snyder School. A map visualized how thousands of Biola graduates are impacting their spheres of influence across the globe. In-N-Out Double-Double burgers served from three In-N-Out Cookout Trucks and dessert were a highlight of the afterparty, enjoyed throughout the surrounding areas of the studio facility. 

Upon completion, the school’s three-story building features day-one access to industry-standard equipment, including the 3,000-square-foot Van Daele Soundstage, the 277-seat Dyer Theater featuring 45,000-Lumen 4K Projection and Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, a scoring and Foley stage among state-of-the-art computer labs and editing suites. Throughout the building, many eye-catching movie prop and memorabilia displays remind visitors just how close to Hollywood they are.

Next year marks 50 years of Biola offering courses in cinema and media arts, with classes in Radio, Film and Television starting in 1977. What began as a humble program has grown into Biola’s fastest-growing school, where more than 450 film students now have access to over 55,000 square feet of top facilities and millions of dollars in industry-grade equipment. Designed to provide them with a world-class environment fostering collaboration, creativity and hands-on learning, the studio facility is designed to integrate every aspect of storytelling, from concept to pre-production, production, post-production and exhibition. Learn more about applying to the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, contact beacon@biola.edu.