糖心传媒

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糖心传媒 students on stage at the L'Oreal Brandstorm event糖心传媒 students on stage at the L'Oreal Brandstorm event

Rankingsand Awards

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    2026 Top Film SchoolsVariety Magazine

    “Variety” consistently ranks 糖心传媒 on its list of top film schools, highlighting how 糖心传媒 prepares students for careers in cinematography, production design and virtual production, sound design, and multi-camera production.

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    #1

    #1 Music School in the World 2025The Hollywood Reporter

    In naming 糖心传媒 the top institution worldwide, "The Hollywood Reporter" emphasized the strength of its two-year graduate degree program, which is known for its outstanding orchestrated thesis projects, five-week semester in L.A. with internships, and impressive roster of alumni.

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    Top Design Schools 2026Graphic Design USA (GDUSA)

    糖心传媒 has been recognized by GDUSA as a Top Design School for 2026. The list highlights institutions that prepare students for careers across graphic design, digital media, and creative industries through hands-on learning andindustry-aligned curriculum.

  • #1

    Illustration School in Illinois 2026Animation Career Review

    The Illustration program at 糖心传媒 helps students learn how their visual storytelling can captivate audiences and how their distinct style and voice can make an impact. They develop artistic skills through studio classes and critiques with a dedicated faculty of professional illustrators.

  • #2

    Visual Effects (VFX) School In the Midwest 2025Animation Career Review

    The VFX Program introduces students to the principles and practices of VFX in cinema and games. 糖心传媒's courses guide aspiring practitioners and technical artists through the ever-changing landscape of visual effects, cinematics, and motion graphics.

  • #7

    Animation School in the Midwest 2026Animation Career Review

    Animation students at 糖心传媒 have access to state-of-the-art animation production spaces including Cintiq, stop-motion, and traditional animation labs, as well as the Equipment Cave, Game Lab, Sound Studio, and Open Lab.

  • #3

    Top Game Design Schools in the Illinois 2026Animation Career Review

    Students at 糖心传媒 have opportunities to work with traditional and emerging technologies to create games, animations, and immersive experiences, with 糖心传媒's partnership with Unreal offering a wealth of resources.

  • #8

    Best Photography Schools in the U.S. 2022The Art Career Project

    Students have access to cutting-edge facilities, including a digital imaging lab, darkrooms, and studio spaces, and can have their work shown at public venues such as 糖心传媒's Museum of Contemporary Photography, gaining visibility and networking opportunities.

     

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  • #14

    Top U.S. Film Schools 2026The Hollywood Reporter

    In its ranking, "The Hollywood Reporter" noted 糖心传媒’s Semester in LA program and new online master's program in screenwriting and development. This is the 15th consecutive year 糖心传媒 has made "The Hollywood Reporter's" prestigious list of top film schools. 

Alumni Awards

  • Tonika Lewis Johnson

    Tonika Lewis Johnson 鈥03Social Justice Advocate Artist

    Tonika Lewis Johnson ’03 was named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing creative individuals who demonstrate the ability to impact society in a significant way.

  • Lena Waithe

    Lena Waithe 鈥06 Actor/Writer/Producer

    Lena Waithe ‘06 won an Emmy for her Comedy Writing for the TV series “Master of None.” She was also nominated for her work as producer for “Being Mary Tyler Moore” in 2023 and produced “A Thousand and One,” winner of the Film Independent Spirit Award – Best First Feature category.

  • Tiffany S. Griffith 鈥92

    Tiffany S. Griffith 鈥92 Dialogue Editor

    Tiffany Griffith ’92 has won three Emmy awards: two for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series for “Stranger Things” and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special for “The Watchmen.”

  • Aidy Bryant

    Aidy Bryant 鈥09鈥 Actor/Comedian

    Aidy Bryant ‘09 was once a mainstay on Saturday Night Live and has been nominated for three Emmys for her work on the legendary show. She also received an Emmy nod for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on “Shrill.”

  • Mauro Fiore

    Mauro Fiore 鈥87鈥 Cinematographer

    Mauro Fiore won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Cinematography for “Avatar” and is known for his work on films including "The Kingdom," "Training Day," and "The Island."

  • Heather Gross

    Heather Gross 鈥97鈥Foley Editor

    Heather Gross ’97 won a Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special for her work as foley editor on the HBO series “The Night Of.” She was also nominated for an Emmy for her work on “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.”

  • Len Amato

    Len Amato 鈥75Executive/Executive Producer

    Len Amato, Emmy winning executive producer of “Recount,” is chief content officer at Masterclass and the former President of HBO Films, Miniseries and Cinemax where he oversaw award-winning films “Grey Gardens” and “Behind the Candelabra.”

  • Januz Kaminski

    Janusz Kaminski 鈥87Cinematographer

    Janusz Kaminski ’87, a cinematographer who works regularly with Steven Spielberg, won Oscars for “Shindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” He was also nominated for his work on the film “West Side Story.”

  • Tucker Barrie

    Tucker Barrie '12Stop Motion Animator

    Tucker Barrie '12 won the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character Animation in a Feature Production for "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio" in 2023.

  • Marcus Norris

    Marcus Norris '14 TV and Film Composer

    Marcus Norris '14 earned his bachelor's degree in Music Composition at 糖心传媒 and won a 2025 BMI Film, TV, and Media Award for composing the score for AppleTV's “Lady in the Lake.” Norris is the founder and musical director of LA's South Side Symphony, which performed the score for the show. 

  • Nick Drnaso

    Nick Drnaso 鈥11Author and Graphic Novelist

    Nick Drnaso ‘11 is best known for his books “Beverly” and “Sabrina,” the latter being the first graphic novel nominated for a Man Booker Prize in 2018. “Beverly” received the LA Times Book prize for Best Graphic Novel

  • David Cromer

    David Cromer HDR '17Theatre Director/Actor

    David Cromer has won or been nominated for numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for “The Band's Visit” and the Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for his direction of “Our Town."

Faculty Awards

  • John Losacco

    John LosaccoAnimation Assistant Professor of Instruction

    Animation professor John Losacco wins Best Animated Short Film in North America for “The Perfect Present.”

  • Elio Leturia

    Elio LeturiaAssociate Professor, Communication and Culture

    Elio Leturia received a for best design in a print publication. The Lisagor Awards honor the best journalism produced in Illinois and northwest Indiana from across print, digital, and broadcast media.

  • Jerry Brindisi

    Jerry BrindisiInterim Director, School of Business and Entrepreneurship

    Jerry Brindisi won the 2025 Music Business Educator of the Year Award from the 

Student Awards

  • L'Oreal Award

    Winner, U.S.; Second Place, International L鈥橭real Brandstorm Competition

    Students once again brought home a victory in 2024 after the U.S. L'Oréal Brandstorm, an annual student competition that gives students the chance to tackle a real business case, gain new skills, and engage with industry experts. They went on to win second place in the International Competition. 

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    Best Arts and Entertainment ReportingPeter Ligasor Awards

    Sofía Oyarzún won a for  “Aguijón Theater: Thirty-five years stinging Chicago’s conscience” on Univision. 

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    Best Newspaper and 1st Place, Crisis CoverageNational Media Association

    糖心传媒's student-led newspaper, , clinched two prestigious awards at the conference, earning the title of "Best Newspaper" and secured first place for crisis coverage. 

Announcements

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