By Lookout Staff

July 17, 2024 -- MovieMaker magazine has named Santa Monica College (SMC) one of the top 30 film schools in the U.S. and Canada, praising its affordable hands-on approach to filmmaking.

SMC -- which offers two-year film studies and film production programs -- joined the ranks of UCLA, USC, Columbia University and the AFI Conservatory on the list, which includes 31 schools this year due to a tie.

Salvador Carrasco, head of SMC’s film production program, with a student on the set (Courtesy SMC)

MovieMaker also placed SMC in its Top 12 list of film schools in the U.S. West and Northwest.

"This is one of the most affordable options for learning the ropes while studying near the epicenter of the entertainment industry -- and earning credits that can count toward continued higher education," the magazine wrote in the list included in its latest issue.

SMC, MovieMaker wrote, "notes its established record of transfers to UCLA. But more important than any degree is the fact that you’ll actually be making films."

The magazine quotes Salvador Carrasco, head of SMC’s film production program, who noted on the school's website:

“We want our students to stand out based on their talent, attitude, hard work and reliability -- none of which has anything to do with socioeconomic background.”

SMC students, college officials said, "receive instruction in all facets of preproduction, production and postproduction from faculty who are actively working in the film industry."

MovieMaker’s editor-in-chief Tim Molloy said Carrasco "makes sure students take a hands-on approach to film production so they come out of SMC with real experience, whether they go looking immediately for opportunities in TV or film, or further their educations."

Molloy noted that SMC "offers an accessible, affordable film education at a fraction of the price of a four-year university.”

Carrasco said the recent "distinction" helps validate the program’s two main philosophical tenets -- to provide the highest-quality filmmaking education without having students incur long-term financial debt and to provide professional role models.

“Both of the above set us apart from many other film schools, which is why MovieMaker’s recognition is so meaningful,” Carrasco said.

“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."

In 2022, SMC was named to MovieMaker’s Top 40 in the U.S. & Canada list, as well as its Top 12 in the U.S. West and Northwest list.

Since the program was launched in 2010, SMC student films have won awards at numerous regional, national and international film festivals.

In the last ten years, eight SMC student films have been selected for the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival.

SMC offers an Associate of Science degree and Certificate of Achievement in Film Production. To learn more, visit smc.edu/film