Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts (FSUFilm) retains its distinction as the fourth-ranked public film school in the nation while climbing to No. 14 in The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 rankings of top U.S. film schools, up from No. 17.
Two major developments contributed to the rise: the acquisition of a 43,242-square-foot facility — formerly Governor’s Square theater complex in Tallahassee — and the continued success of the college’s MFA Feature Film Program, now entering its third year.
“I feel certain our significant jump in the rankings this year is due to the extraordinary support we’ve received from the administration at FSU,” said Reb Braddock, dean of the college. “We’ve fulfilled two long-standing dreams: we finally have a theater of our own, and we’re about to go into production on our third feature film. These are huge milestones for our program.”
The new facility will house the college’s Center for Cinematic Innovation, known as Torchlight Studios, relocating it from Midway, Florida, to the heart of Tallahassee. It will serve both academic and public cinematic experiences, offering students hands-on training and opportunities to showcase their work locally and globally.
The renovated space will support FSU’s growing graduate programs and include four theaters for screenings, a post-production facility, a dedicated soundstage for the MFA Feature Film Program, a 2,624-square-foot virtual production stage, two professional soundstages, production offices, scene shops and maker spaces for production design, storage for props and costumes, and a 5,796-square-foot event space for campus and community programming.
“When the film school was established in 1989 to prepare students for careers in the motion picture industry, it was given nearly every tool needed to become one of the greatest colleges dedicated to film education, except one — a movie theater of its own,” Braddock said. “This visionary move transforms the Governor’s Square theater into a true center for film appreciation and production, with a strong focus on community engagement.”
FSUFilm’s MFA Feature Film Program allows graduate students to pitch and direct a fully financed, college-supported feature film during an optional third year of study. Second-year students crew on the feature, gaining experience and credits before completing their capstone films.
“Getting to make a feature film while still in school is pretty unbelievable,” said Jack Gaffney, MFA Class of 2025. “The Feature Film Program at FSU Film gives you hands-on experience from start to finish. You’re not just learning how to make a film. You’re learning how to sell it too. Traveling to Cannes and seeing the industry side of things firsthand is an experience I’ll never forget. And the whole time, you’ve got faculty and staff backing you up every step of the way.”
The program’s first feature, “Noseeums,” a Southern Gothic horror story set in the Florida Panhandle, is represented by Odin’s Eye Entertainment and will premiere at FrightFest in London on Saturday, Aug. 23.
“Directing ‘Noseeums’ was a once-in-a-lifetime challenge that I wouldn’t take away,” said Raven Carter, director and former FSU Film student. “It’s those challenges that have set me apart when it comes to leading teams and directing. The FSU feature program is a great opportunity to rapidly grow your capacity and mature as a filmmaker. I’m so excited that we’re going to FrightFest, and I hope the entire team feels proud and full of joy over this amazing accomplishment.”
FSUFilm continues to offer the lowest cost of attendance among top-ranked film schools, with no hidden fees and tuition that covers all production equipment and expendables, including access to industry-standard gear.
For more information, visit film.fsu.edu.