SOU Digital Cinema on prestigious list for third consecutive year
(Ashland, Ore.) —Southern Oregon University’s Digital Cinema program has been included on MovieMaker Magazine’s annual list of the “30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada” for the third consecutive year.
SOU Digital Cinema is the only program from Oregon, Washington or Idaho to be included in MovieMaker’s review. The Digital Cinema major – part of SOU’s Communication, Media & Cinema Department – was launched in 2019 and has enjoyed steady growth and increasing regional attention ever since. The department offers majors in Communication Studies and Media Innovation in addition to Digital Cinema.
Students in the program learn visual storytelling, creative problem-solving and professional collaboration using industry-standard production technologies, while developing essential skills in leadership, communication, adaptability, critical thinking, equitable and sustainable practices, teamwork and conflict management. In addition to bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and bachelor of fine arts degrees, the program offers regular student showcases and connections with local film professionals, and hosts an annual student film festival that is popular with the community.
The centerpiece of the Digital Cinema program is its 10-week production immersion course, The Crew Experience, in which students are assigned professional crew roles and produce a short film guided by the faculty and industry mentors.
“This third annual recognition is a real testament to the creative passion and energy of our faculty and students,” said Christopher Lucas, Ph.D., an associate professor and program lead. “I’m proud of the film and production culture we’ve been able to build here in Ashland.”
SOU President Rick Bailey praised the teamwork that has made the program a success.
“All of us at Southern Oregon University are thrilled to be named on the best film schools list for the third year in a row, and are grateful to everyone at MovieMaker for this prestigious distinction,” President Bailey said. “We also want to recognize the outstanding students, faculty and staff who make our Digital Cinema program such a standout academic and career-building pathway.”
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