Biola UniversityThe New Home of Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts
Preparing the Next Generation of Storytellers
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. The media shapes culture. In whose hands do we want to leave this 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.
Project Status
The $73.8M project is underway, and we are actively securing leadership gifts to bring this vision to life—if you’re interested in a conversation, please contact our advancement team.
The Studio Facility 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.
Set to open in 2026, our new 45,463-square-foot building will rival some of the best educational facilities in the nation for media training, attracting industry-experienced faculty and students passionate about media while accommodating the new film school’s forward-looking curriculum and constantly developing digital media. The Studio Facility will be a center for cultural impact, where our students will grow in knowledge, skill and faith. But we can’t do it alone. Our new studio facility is funded only through the generosity of incredible donors like you. Your gift will help us see the project through to completion.
Biola University is home to the #1 Christian Film School
As reflected in Hollywood publications Variety, The Wrap and The Hollywood Reporter, the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts is one of the world's best. The industry calls out Biola's unique sense of community that champions "collaboration rather than competition" — and its record of equipping students to be effective storytellers and leaders across film, television, game development and interactive media.
“For over a century, Biola University has shaped culture through innovation, from the Biola Press to the Biola Hour radio program. Now, the Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts is poised to lead in storytelling and media leadership across film, television, computers, and mobile screens. With a state-of-the-art, 45,463-square-foot facility at its core, this initiative will position CMA as the premier program for students of faith pursuing careers in mainstream media. Join us in continuing Biola’s legacy of influence and innovation through the Snyder School.”
Dr. Barry H. Corey
President, Biola University
Building Features
- 3,000-square-foot soundstage
- 285-seat theatre
- 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
Live Construction View
