Among the Elite

Film industry trade publication The Hollywood Reporter has ranked the Department of Radio-Television-Film 10th in their list of the top 25 film schools in the United States.

Housed in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin, the department ranked second among public schools. The rankings were based on more than 2,300 ballots submitted by publications, schools, and industry and educational insiders.

“We are thrilled to once again be included in the top 10 film schools,” said Paul Stekler, chair of the Department of Radio-Television-Film. “In just the last year, our students have helped us earn this status by winning first place at some of the most prestigious national and international film competitions.”

Stekler touted the successes of recent Master of Fine Arts thesis films, including Annie Silverstein’s "Skunk," which took first place at both the 2014 Cannes International Film Festival’s Cinéfondation Selection program and the BATFA-LA student film competition; Elizabeth Chatelain’s "My Sister Sarah," which won the 2013 International Documentary Association student documentary award; and Brian Schwarz’s "Ol' Daddy," gold medal winner in the narrative category at the 2013 Student Academy Awards.

The publication applauds recent strides in the film school including the upcoming 10th anniversary of the UTLA program, the 2013 launch of the UT3D production program and the $50 million gift from the Moody Foundation in November 2013 to establish the Moody College of Communication.

In addition, alumnus Matthew McConaughey (B.S. ’93) had a stellar year by winning an Oscar and Golden Globe for best actor among many other accolades and fellow alumnus Robert Rodriguez (B.S. ’08) made waves launching new cable channel “El Rey,” which airs English language shows tailored to Latino audiences.