The National Film School at the Institute of Art, Design + Technology has been named as one of Variety’s Top Film Schools for 2020.
This is the first time that an Irish school has made it on to this prestigious roll call. The list includes the University of Southern California (USC), the Beijing Film Academy, the UK National Film and Television School, and Moscow’s VGIK (the oldest film school in the world).
IADT is one of only ten non-US schools mentioned.
Each year Variety selects the top global film schools and educators in their report, The Entertainment Education Impact Report: The Top Film Schools and Educators from around the Globe. In particular, this year they reference the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and note that “not only are these film schools and their faculty prepping their students for successful careers in the entertainment industry, but they are guiding them with structure and encouragement and artistic expertise through one of the most turbulent eras in modern-day society.”
Speaking about the achievement, President of IADT, David Smith said:
“We are thrilled to make Variety’s list of top film schools. And in particular, their acknowledgment that we are the only institute of its kind in Ireland offering an array of film and television disciplines, including production, animation and design”
Rónán O’Muirthile, Head of Faculty at The National Film School praised the hugely successful alumni of the school for raising its profile. “In 2019, three graduates were nominated for Academy Awards including cinematographer Robbie Ryan who is mentioned in the report,” he added. “Building on the strength of our long-standing undergraduate programmes we have added a new Masters in Creative Production & Screen Finance, Cinematography and 3D Animation.”