Biola University officially opened its new $75 million studio facility for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts on October 15, 2026, anchoring a major $250 million fundraising campaign just south of Los Angeles.
As biola.edu reported, the 45,463-square-foot facility serves the university’s fastest-growing academic program, which currently educates more than 450 film and media students. The dedication ceremony drew over 1,500 guests and featured a red carpet event, campus landmark displays, and In-N-Out Burger, celebrating a lead donation from In-N-Out Burger owner and president Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson.
Facility Kicks Off $250 Million Campaign
- The new three-story facility spans 45,463 square feet and represents a $75 million investment in Biola’s cinema program.
- Funding for the building was made possible by a lead donation from In-N-Out Burger owner Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, naming the school after her grandmother, Esther L. Snyder.
- The development kicks off “Streams of Influence,” a broader $250 million fundraising campaign marking the institution’s most ambitious financial push in its 118-year history.
A Half-Century Evolution in Southern California
The new building arrives just ahead of a major milestone for the institution. Next year marks 50 years since Biola first offered courses in cinema and media arts, tracing its roots back to radio, film, and television classes initiated in 1977.
Currently, more than 450 students are in the Cinema & Media Arts program, which at full capacity will serve up to 700 young people. Students produce more than 500 projects annually, positioning the institution as a notable pipeline for the modern entertainment ecosystem.
University leadership emphasized that the physical expansion directly mirrors professional production environments. Snyder School founding dean Tom Halleen noted that the program aims to align closely with industry demands.
“What we’re trying to do is build a program that leans into the needs of the industry,” Halleen said.
Inside the 45,463-Square-Foot Facility
The newly unveiled building provides students with 24-hour access to industry-standard equipment and specialized creative spaces. Designed to manage the full pipeline of production, the structure houses a 3,000-square-foot Van Daele Soundstage, which joins two existing soundstages on campus.
Additional technical spaces include the 277-seat Dyer Theater featuring 45,000-Lumen 4K Projection and Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, alongside color grading suites, audio mixing suites, a scoring and Foley stage, and a motion capture stage.
| Facility Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total Building Size | 45,463 square feet |
| Primary Soundstage | 3,000 square feet (Van Daele Soundstage) |
| Screening Room | 277-seat Dyer Theater with Dolby Atmos |
| Current Enrollment | 450+ students (Capacity up to 700) |
Throughout the building’s interior, visitors encounter film prop and memorabilia displays—including costumes and props from the Star Trek franchise—designed to anchor students visually in the professional studio landscape of Southern California.
Capital Campaign and Industry Integration
The studio dedication also doubled as the public launch of “Streams of Influence: The Campaign for Biola University,” a $250 million fundraising initiative designed to expand campus resources. The cinema facility serves as the centerpiece of this historic capital drive.
During the dedication ceremony, Biola University President Barry H. Corey framed the institutional expansion around cultural engagement.
“We are and have been a university committed to embracing the cultural moment without abandoning our biblical faith, without shrinking back in fear,” Corey stated. Barry H. Corey
The program maintains a strict focus on workforce readiness, with 100% of students completing industry internships. Faculty members and guest instructors drawn directly from working studio environments aim to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and professional standards in visual effects, game development, and narrative cinema.
