Studio Facility for the Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts
On October 15, 2026, Biola celebrated the opening of a world-class studio facility for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts. The three-floor, 45,463-square-foot building rivals some of the best educational facilities in the nation for media training — serving the needs of students as they prepare for careers in the film, television and game industries.
With your support, we can fully fund the remaining costs for this ambitious facility, where thousands of students’ lives will be shaped in the decades to come.
The Need
Media shapes culture. With over 4.6 billion TVs in homes worldwide and the average U.S. adult consuming nearly 12 hours of media daily across multiple screens, we’re dominated — and taught — by the media pushed out to us. And it continues to grow in power and especially in influence.
In whose hands do we want to leave this culture-shaping responsibility?
In an industry that still struggles to understand that faith is strength, not weakness, Biola University’s Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts is committed to training the next generation of storytellers, media executives and cultural influencers to engage, educate, inspire and transform lives through mainstream media. The university’s ambition is to send out highly skilled graduates to bring light to the entertainment industry, teaching by their words, through their stories and especially by example.
A Destination for Creation
The new studio facility for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts represents the beginning of an exciting new era for students majoring in Cinema Media Arts, Game Design and Interactive Media, and Writing for Film and Television.
Designed to integrate every aspect of storytelling — from concept to pre-production, production, post-production and exhibition — this facility will fully equip students for the demands of the industry. This is more than a building. It is a launchpad for a new generation of storytellers — rooted in faith, excellent in craft, and ready to transform culture through media.
Building Features
- 3,000-square-foot soundstage
- 285-seat theater
- Color grading suites
- Audio mixing suites
- Scoring and Foley recording stage
- New technology / motion capture stage
- Movie prop and memorabilia displays
- Collaborative editing spaces
- Private editing suites (8)
- Game design lab
- Classrooms
- Computer labs
- Faculty and staff offices
- Conference rooms
- Writers' rooms
- Scenic storage
- Costume and make-up rooms
- Green room
- Production office
- Projection and audio control room
Recognition for the Snyder School
The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts is recognized as the leading Christian film school by industry leaders in Hollywood.
One of the 26 “Top Film Schools” in North America
Variety
A Best Local Program in Los Angeles
The Hollywood Reporter
No. 22 on the “Top 50 Film Schools”
The Wrap
100%
Internship placement
600+
Independent productions each year by current students
1000+
Industry active alumni
Biola has provided a safe space for me to grow as a person spiritually, academically, and emotionally. I have found an incredibly loving community that challenges me to be the person God has intended me to be. Plus, the film program is amazing!