Variety names School of Filmmaking at UNCSA a top film program in North America for 2024

The School of Filmmaking at UNCSA has been recognized by Variety in its annual list of “Top Film Schools in North America.”

The widely read industry publication noted the School of Filmmaking’s 30th anniversary, the soon-to-be-launched Story Art Studio, and the new Dean’s Advisory Council.

Dean LaVine at Exploring the Boundaries of Content Creation event, Jan. 2024 / Photo: Allison Lee Isley

The article quotes Deborah LaVine, dean of the School of Filmmaking, saying of UNCSA: “It’s a gift to have the focus that [students] have here without the distractions of wonderful cities like Los Angeles and New York present. Here, the only person they’re competing with is themselves.”

Each year, Variety curates the list of top film school programs and this year notes that “the schools on this list collectively offer an impressive array of educators, facilities and lessons to be learned. Countless alumni from these programs have become legendary names in the industry. They have created award-winning films and television series, enacted change both on screen and behind-the-scenes, and often give back to the institutions that fostered their talent.”

“This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation,” says LaVine. "The school's ability to explore untried and unexpected forms of cinematic storytelling, while standing on long established dramatic traditions, sets the foundation for students to generate ideas that are the engine of a creative career. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing an environment where students dare to think boldly and positions them to shape the industry's future instead of following its established trends."

UNCSA will present over a dozen films and series by graduating seniors in free screenings next month both in person and virtually. The films will be available on demand from Friday, May 17, until Sunday, May 19. Register for free access at www.uncsa.edu/performances.

Cinematography student operates wireless lens control systems, UNCSA Film Masterclass Stage VI / Photo: Wayne Reich

About the School of Filmmaking

Consistently recognized as among the nation’s best training programs for filmmakers, the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts has produced some of today’s most creative storytellers, including Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, Brett Haley, Rebecca Green, Jody Hill, Jeff Nichols, Craig Zobel, Vera Herbert, Martha Stephens, Aaron Katz and Zoë White, among many others. Led by independent filmmaker and educator Deborah LaVine, the award-winning faculty in the School of Filmmaking have decades of real-world experience and a passion for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in concentrations that include animation, cinematography, directing, picture editing and sound design, producing, production design and visual effects, and screenwriting. 

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