2025 Biola Film Camp
For high school students
- June 8-14, 2025
- June 22-28, 2025
- Production Center 130 - Studio A
- Hosted By: Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts
Cost and Admission
Led by faculty and staff from Biola's Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, the camp is designed to engage one's faith together with one's passion for visual storytelling. Classes and workshops provide insider insight into how stories are brought to life through pre-production, production and post-production. Camp sessions include courses, workshops and hands-on access to the university’s camera, lighting, sound equipment, soundstages and edit suites inside the school's Production Center. Off-campus excursions include a tour of Warner Bros Studio and a day at Universal Studios theme park to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the busiest studios in the world.
Camp Dates:
- Camp 1: June 8–14, 2025
- Camp 2: June 22–28, 2025
This camp is for high school students only.
Questions?
Contact Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts at:
(562) 777-4052
cma@biola.edu
Led by faculty and staff from Biola's Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, the camp is designed to engage one's faith together with one's passion for visual storytelling. Classes and workshops provide insider insight on how stories are brought to life through pre-production, production and post-production. Camp sessions include courses, workshops, and hands-on access to the university’s camera, lighting, and sound equipment; soundstages; and edit suites inside the school's Production Center. Off campus excursions include a film screening in Hollywood, a tour of Warner Bros Studio and a day at Universal Studios theme park to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the busiest studios in the world.
Week Overview
Introductory courses provide the fundamentals of filmmaking including:
- The Art of Storytelling
- Visual Aesthetics
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Sound Design
- Editing
Integrated hands-on workshops. Attendees will learn and use industry-grade cameras, and will be provided ample opportunities to get hands-on production experience throughout the week.
Faith and Film screenings. Attendees screen and discuss films with a professor in the context of faith. As Christians, we not only learn how to make stories but we also need to know how to interpret them through the lens of our faith. What makes a film “Christian” or how do you define a “Christian filmmaker?”
Studio tours. It’s not all work and no play though, as Biola Film Camp attendees experience two studio tours for a behind-the-scenes look at Warner Bros and Universal Studios.
Final Project. The camp culminates in group short film projects where students are able to use the training and equipment to collaborate together. Final projects will be screened in a showcase at the end of the week where the filmmakers will participate in a Q&A about their films.
Sample Day Schedule
Day 3 Practical Film Skills
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30–8 a.m. | Breakfast in the Cafeteria |
| 8–9:45 a.m. | Camera and Lighting Workshop |
| 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Directing Workshop |
| 12:15–1:30 p.m. | Lunch in the Cafeteria |
| 1:30–5:30 p.m. | Hands-On Intensive |
| 5:30–7 p.m. | Dinner in the Cafeteria |
| 7–9:30 p.m. | Faith & Film – Movie Screening and Discussion |
Hear From Our Camp Alumni
- “I really appreciated the community-building that the camp provided. Getting to eat meals with the other camp-goers and spending time doing activities together was fantastic….I still have those friendships. Getting to do a short film by the end of the camp was also a lot of fun….it was great to have that kind of experience.” – Victoria M. (Film Camp Alum)
- “One of the CMA student counselors told me "If you enjoy this, this is literally what four years at Biola is like." – Harrison Z. (Film Camp Alum)
- “We were given access to the Production Center facilities throughout the week. It was amazing. I am still very close with the people I worked with on our film. We learned so much….I still remember to this day." – Rachel S. (Film Camp Alum)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Students are required to stay in a designated Biola dormitory on campus overnight. Upon arrival to Biola University, students will be assigned their roommate(s). Male and female attendees, along with camp counsellors, will be placed on separate floors in the dormitory.
The dorm rooms are suite-style, where two rooms share a private bathroom. A linen packet will be provided to all students which includes: flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillow case, large towel, hand towel and washcloth. Students can bring their own blankets or pillows if they desire.
If I live locally, can I just attend the camp sessions but not stay overnight?
For the Biola Film Camp, to make the most of the collaborative experience all students will be required to stay on campus in the dorms for the duration of the camp. Students will not be allowed to lodge elsewhere even if they live locally.
Will I have access to a computer? Should I bring a laptop? Is the campus wireless?
Biola University provides free WiFi to everyone on campus. You do not need to bring a computer as computers will be made available to all students in the editing bays/labs during the camp. If you bring your own personal electronics, Biola University and the School of Cinema and Media Arts assumes no responsibility for lost, broken or stolen items.
Will I be able to have a car on campus?
Students are not allowed to leave campus on their own, therefore are not allowed to bring their own cars to campus. Transportation will be provided by Biola to excursions.
While admission to the Biola Film Camp does not guarantee admission into Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, it will provide an insiders look into Snyder, our production facilities (Production Center and Equipment Room), faculty and staff, the classes we offer, and what the Biola experience is really like. In addition, it will assist attendees with portfolio samples that they can submit with their application.
Will I need to bring spending money?
Students will need spending money for lunch and dinner while at Universal Studios, as well as spending money for any souvenirs and/or miscellaneous items they would like to purchase on their own while participating in the film camp.
What experience do I need to apply?
We are looking for students who have a passion for film and storytelling, but you do not need to have prior experience in order to apply. Students must be in high school or newly graduated.
Why should I attend Biola's Film Camp?
Biola University’s Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts is recognized as one of the top film schools by Variety magazine and the #1 ranked Christian film school in the world. We are passionate about teaching the next generation of influencers how to have a career in the media. Our film camp is designed to help faith-led students experience the media from those who currently work inside it. Our close proximity to Hollywood, the world’s entertainment capitol, provides attendees unique exposure to the industry, the studios, educators and industry-grade equipment. And as a faith-based institution, we are able to discuss how faith can be effectively integrated into a media career.
What if I have to cancel my registration to the film camp?
Attendees have until 5 p.m. (PT) on May 23, 2025 to cancel their spot and receive a refund (minus a $250 non-refundable payment for service fees). No refunds are available after May 23.
In the event Biola cancels the film camp for circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to Covid-19 safety protocols, not meeting minimum attendance requirements, among other unforeseen circumstances, we will endeavor to provide as much advance notice as possible. Full refunds will be given on any submitted payments.