Climbing the Ranks

By Diana DeLuca ’23, August 19, 2022

Hollywood Reporter names IC one of the top 25 film schools in the country.

Students in the Park School get hands on experience with state of the art equipment.

(Photo by Adam Baker)

The Hollywood Reporter magazine recognized Ithaca College in the 2022 edition of its annual Top 25 Film Schools in America list. IC earned its highest ranking ever, coming in at #16.

This is the sixth time Ithaca has earned a spot on the list. The rankings are compiled based on consultations with industry professionals, film school alumni, and academic experts.

Other schools included the rankings were New York University, Columbia University and University of Southern California.

IC’s film program is housed within the Roy H. Park School of Communications. This is not the only accolade the program has received recently. Entertainment publications The Wrap and Variety each named the Park School as one of their top film schools in America.

Ithaca students, faculty, and alumni are consistently producing high-quality work. Alum Justin Li ’21 recently took home the Directors Guild of America’s (DGA) 2021 East Region Jury Award as the Best Asian American Student Filmmaker. This year also marked the 25th anniversary of the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, led by Patricia Zimmermann, professor of screen studies and media arts, sciences, and studies.

“It’s an acknowledgement that a program does not have to be physically located in NYC or LA to be considered excellent. What matters is the people in the place and what you can do in that place. Park provides great options to current students and a pathway to success — whether their destination is Hollywood or being independent and entrepreneurial to produce and start their own company in this space.”

Amy Falkner, Dean, Roy H. Park School of Communications

The article noted several prominent alumni working in the industry, including actor David Boreanaz ’91, television writer and producer Mike Royce ’86, and Liz Tigelaar ’98, showrunner for the Hulu show “Little Fires Everywhere.” All three have taken part in IC commencements in recent years. Boreanaz served as commencement speaker in 2013, Tigelaar delivered the main address in 2021, and Royce gave a virtual congratulations to students in the December 2020 ceremony.

Amy Falkner, who joined the Park School as dean over the summer, said the ranking does not surprise her.

“It’s an acknowledgement that a program does not have to be physically located in NYC or LA to be considered excellent,” Falkner said. “What matters is the people in the place and what you can do in that place.”

Falkner also noted that the Park School values critical thinking and writing, which also contributes to its high ranking.

“The film industry has many sectors and our curriculum reflects that, as do our very successful alumni,” Falkner said. “Park provides great options to current students and a pathway to success — whether their destination is Hollywood or being independent and entrepreneurial to produce and start their own company in this space.”