SOU Digital Cinema named to national Top 30

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s Digital Cinema program has been ranked among the nation’s Top 30 film schools by MovieMaker Magazine for the second consecutive year – a recognition of SOU’s role in preparing Oregon’s next generation of creative professionals.

MovieMaker cited SOU Digital Cinema’s distinctive blend of hands-on training, industry partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The program emphasizes practical skill areas such as directing, cinematography, editing, sound and production design. Students gain real-world experience on live-streamed events, commercial shoots and independent feature films, with strong ties to the region’s production community. The program’s innovative, 12-credit “Crew Experience” course serves as an intensive, term-long production boot camp in which students create a short film from concept to completion.

The Digital Cinema program is the only film program on MovieMaker’s list in the Pacific Northwest region (Oregon, Washington, Idaho). The honor comes shortly after the Oregon Legislature approved $40 million in capital construction bonds for SOU to develop a new Creative Industries complex, focused on workforce development in media and entertainment. Planned upgrades include a sound stage, screening room and multimedia production labs. The cross-disciplinary project will help secure Oregon’s position as a national leader in the creative sector.

“We are incredibly proud of our SOU Digital Cinema program, and grateful to MovieMaker Magazine for acknowledging our outstanding team for the second year in a row,” said SOU President Rick Bailey. “This important recognition is a testament to our brilliant students, faculty and staff, and their commitment to opening doors of opportunities throughout the creative industries.”

Housed in SOU’s College of Arts and Humanities, Digital Cinema students also collaborate with Theater, Creative Writing, Emerging Media & Design, Music Industry & Production and other programs. This interdisciplinary approach positions SOU graduates to thrive in today’s interconnected creative industries. Oregon’s creative sector generates about $9.3 billion annually and supports more than 62,000 jobs.

“For many years now, Oregon’s film and media industry has relied on the training and experience that is provided by SOU’s Digital Cinema program,” said Tim Williams, executive director of Oregon Film. “Many of their graduates are now at the heart of our working crews and fueling the growth of our creative economy.”

Sustainability is another cornerstone of SOU’s vision that MovieMaker highlighted in its story. The university is a member of the Green Film School Alliance, and has already reduced energy use in its existing Digital Media Center by 75% with a new LED lighting grid and plans to integrate LEED enhancements and solar power. SOU’s goal is to produce 100% of its electricity by 2035.

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