Ringling College makes top 25 list

SARASOTA - Ringling College of Art and Design has made the list of The Hollywood Reporter's 25 Best Film Schools worldwide for the second time in three years. Ringling College was ranked 24th on this year's list.

The annual survey was conducted via online ballot sent to members of the Writers Guild of America West, American Cinema Editors and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Hollywood Reporter asked industry insiders as well, inviting them to rate film school programs worldwide.

Founded in 2006, the Ringling Digital Filmmaking program recently graduated its third class and is one of the youngest programs to make the list.

“At Ringling I was impressed by the skill levels already in evidence and the sophistication of the questions asked,” Academy Award winner Wally Pfister, who taught at Ringling through a grant from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, says in a news release. “This is clearly a program in its ascent and the enthusiasm of the students and staff at Ringling and the community as a whole for the filmmaking process was refreshing.”

This year, Ringling students have received Emmy nominations, student Academy Awards for animation, the 2012 FMPTA “Crystal Reed Award” for best short made in Florida and the Gold Medal Remi Award at Houston's WorldFest for best short film.