Nashville-Based Program Ranks Alongside Industry Giants for Innovation in Film Education
Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business has again earned its place on Variety's elite Education Impact Report, cementing the Nashville program's status among North America's film education leaders for 2025. Belmont is one of just 27 institutions included in the 2025 list — and the only one in Tennessee — underscoring its growing national reputation and role in the region's creative economy. This prestigious recognition positions Belmont's still-young program alongside established industry titans from both coasts — a testament to the University's innovative approach and rapidly expanding influence within film education.
“Despite the turmoil engulfing higher education, the universities on Variety’s Education Impact Report are guided by the North Star of providing eager students with the knowledge and experience to create stories and get jobs in the entertainment business,” the report notes.
Belmont’s inclusion reflects its distinctive model — one that merges professional preparation with immersive creative experiences, grounded in both artistic rigor and industry relevance.
"We're thrilled to again be recognized by Variety alongside the most prestigious film schools in North America," said Curb College Dean Brittany Schaffer. "As Nashville flourishes as a major entertainment hub, Belmont students benefit from real-world industry connections and hands-on opportunities. This recognition affirms our program's role in connecting creative talent with an increasingly diverse industry that values both artistic vision and business acumen — a combination at the heart of our educational approach."
Now in its 13th year, Belmont's film program has grown substantially, with nearly 180 motion pictures majors, 50 media production majors and 50 film and television writing majors. The university recently launched a new cinema & television studies program, further broadening its comprehensive approach to film education.
“Students in our production programs have a camera in-hand within three weeks of their first semester," said Jay New, chair of Film, Television & Media Production. "Our focus goes beyond teaching technical skills — we're teaching students how to be professionals who understand everything from production workflows to insurance forms, development to distribution. We're equipping them for careers, not just class projects."
Belmont's Nashville location gives students valuable connections in a rapidly growing entertainment hub. According to the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Tennessee ranks fifth in the country for film and video production employment, with numerous commercials, music videos, television shows and movies filmed in the area.
The University offers students access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the first Dolby Atmos mixing theater on a university campus globally, a 2,500-square-foot sound stage, and a specialized Foley/ADR studio where students create dialog, sound effects and atmospheric elements for audio and film production. Students work with professional-grade equipment including the ARRI Alexa LF, Sony FX9s and industry-standard post-production systems.
Beyond equipment, Belmont's program stands out for its faculty of industry professionals. This past year brought campus visits from notable industry figures including cinematographer Roger Deakins (“Shawshank Redemption,” “O Brother, Where Art Thou”), actress Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), casting director LaRay Mayfield (“The Social Network,” “Gone Girl”), voice actor Sarah Cravens and screenwriter/director Randall Wallace (“Braveheart”).
As the entertainment industry evolves, Belmont is adapting by weaving AI throughout the curriculum, teaching students to utilize platforms like Sora for pre-visualization and Largo AI for production planning and budgeting. In production courses, students learn how these technologies can improve workflows and help predict audience engagement, preparing them for a film industry driven by data.
This recognition from Variety not only celebrates Belmont's current achievements but highlights the program's growing influence in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. As streaming platforms, virtual production and AI transform filmmaking, Belmont graduates enter the field distinctly positioned at the intersection of creative storytelling and technological innovation, ready not just to join the entertainment industry but to help shape its future.
Learn more about Belmont University’s nationally recognized film program.