Last November, The Spectator, a secular British news magazine, published an article titled “The Rise of Christian Cinema,” recognizing a “new wave of biblical movies catering to the Netflix generation – and audiences are flocking to them.” The article highlighted the success of productions like The Chosen, a historical drama series that quenches the faith-thirst of online audiences seeking representations of their Christian beliefs on screen.
This trend is supported by a Christian Daily International report citing a survey from Lifeway Research, which found that 81% of American Protestants believe Christian movies are effective evangelism tools.
Against this backdrop, Biola University, a nationally ranked Christian institution in Southern California, has opened a state-of-the-art movie and media studio, further bolstering Christian engagement in the film industry. The 45,463-square-foot, three-story facility includes a 3,000-square-foot soundstage, a 285-seat theater, collaborative editing spaces, and specialized classrooms.
Biola says 1,000 graduates of its Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts are “embedded” in all areas of the American film industry, including Hollywood.
Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, owner of In-N-Out Burger and the largest donor in Biola’s history, attended the September launch event alongside Biola President Barry H. Corey. The Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts was renamed in May 2023 after Snyder-Ellingson’s grandmother, Esther Snyder, a surgical nurse in World War II and co-founder of the In-N-Out Burger chain. Esther Snyder, described as having a “powerful faith,” passed away in 2006.
“Our family values the distinctly Christian education Biola University offers and are honored to play a part in continuing to offer students opportunities to make really impactful film pieces that change people’s lives,” Snyder-Ellingson said in a May 2023 statement. “God is a huge part of the In-N-Out story, and I have no doubt my grandmother would be grateful to know her name is associated with a school recognized for excellence in craft and character.”
Tom Halleen, a television industry veteran and founding dean of the Snyder School, also attended the ceremony and highlighted the impact the new facility will have on Christian media.
“This groundbreaking ceremony is more than just the first step of a new building—it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts,” Halleen said. “This state-of-the-art studio center provides our growing student body with cutting-edge tools and spaces, supporting the full production workflow for film, television, digital media, and game design.”
A Biola University spokeswoman emphasized the school’s commitment to equipping students for media careers while discipling them in biblical principles. “We want to send the very best of both into Hollywood,” she said. “We want them to be great at what they do, but we also want them to be great at who they are—emphasizing excellence in both craft and character.”
The school integrates faith into every course, helping students see their faith as a strength. “It will set them apart, as Hollywood is looking for the qualities our faith calls us to exhibit,” the spokeswoman said.
Biola believes the $3 million state-of-the-art facility will “equip students to impact the world for Jesus Christ,” the spokeswoman added.
The Snyder family has also funded the In-N-Out Burger Scholars’ Fund, which provides scholarships for foster and at-risk youth to study at the Snyder School. The school’s “four-screen” program—spanning film, television, computer, and personal devices—has earned recognition as a top film school by Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Wrap.
