High Achievement

By Patrick Bohn, December 15, 2023

Ithaca College is named to The Wrap’s 2023 list of Top Film Schools.

Park School film students often achieve recognition on the national stage, such as when Malaika Menezes ’26 and Sami Smith ’26 were named one of the five finalists in the 2023 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program.

(Photo by Xinyi (Dona) Qin '26)

The Roy H. Park School of Communications was once again named a top film school in the country by entertainment publication The Wrap. The school was listed 25th overall in the annual rankings, which are determined through anonymous polling of industry insiders, filmmakers, deans, pundits, and educators.

In its writeup, the publication highlighted the school’s strong commitment to experiential learning, with students getting hands-on experience using state-of-the art equipment. In particular, the writeup cited The Cube, a virtual soundstage that allows digital backgrounds to be created for use in productions.

The college’s semester-long Los Angeles program was also a point of emphasis. The internship program allows students to get industry experience and make lasting connections that can open doors for post-college opportunities.

“The Park School’s standing in The Wrap’s annual ranking shows that industry leaders are impressed by the education our students receive, the skills they develop, and the careers they embark on upon graduation.”

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

Current students continue to take advantage of those opportunities. Malaika Menezes ’26 and Sami Smith ’26 were named one of the five finalists in the 2023 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program.

And the reputation of the school has been a draw for accomplished high school students. Alex Isbell ’26 won the 2023 YoungArts award for film for her film J’accucumber, and is now refining her talents on South Hill.

The Wrap cited such prominent Park School graduates as Disney CEO Bob Iger ’73, actor David Boreanaz ’91, producer/director Bill D’Elia ’69, and writer/producer Liz Tigelaar ’98.

Making names for themselves in the industry are recent alumnae like Eden Strachan ’21, who has launched her Black Girls Don’t Love programming, which includes a film training program for young women.