CSUN has been named among the top 40 film schools in the world in the latest issue of Variety.

California State University, Northridge has been named among the top 40 film schools in the world in the latest issue of Variety. The magazine also included four CSUN film students on its “students to watch” list.

CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts joined USC, UCLA, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica in Mexico and the National Film and Television School in the United Kingdom on a list of the best “showbiz” programs around the world — compiled by one of the nation’s leading entertainment magazines. The April 28 issue celebrates the publication’s 110^th anniversary.

Jon Stahl, chair of CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts, said he was honored Variety included CSUN on its list of best programs.

“Our students do great work, and they have been doing great work for a long time,” Stahl said. “Finally, the word is out. People are recognizing that we’re here and we’re not going away. We have a great program, and it’s wonderful to finally be recognized.”

Stahl said the honor was even sweeter because the magazine also turned the spotlight on four CSUN students — seniors Michael Canon, Revati Dhomse and Zachary Friedman, and graduate student Matt Young — by including them on its list of “rising stars.” Variety selected “110 students who represent the future of film, media and entertainment” in honor of its 110^th anniversary.

“The four are phenomenally talented students who are going to go far — I have no doubt,” Stahl said. “I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them. But then, I am proud of all our students. Though the list named only four of our students, it could have included 30 or even 100 other students of equal talent.

“The students in our program work hard and are always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” he continued. “At the same time, they don’t have a sense of entitlement. They understand that nothing is going to be handed to them, that they’re going to have to work for it but they deserve it. They know they deserve to be here, and they deserve the opportunities that we can give them.”

In 2014, The Hollywood Reporter also hailed CSUN as one of the top 25 film programs in the nation. CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts, housed in the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication, has an international reputation for producing dedicated and talented entertainment industry professionals who recognize the value of hard work as they learn and continue to perfect their crafts. The department’s alumni work in all aspects of entertainment media, from writing, producing and directing to manning cameras and having the final say in what project is made.