New World-Class Film, Animation School Opens in Cebu

With Cebu City being a central hub of business and recreation in the country, the Film and Media Arts International Academy (FMA) formally opens its doors to students on last Monday, March 16, 2015.

It is the second accredited international vocational school in the region.

Located in the old Sacred Heart School for Boys along Gen. Maxilom Avenue, FMA offers programs firmly grounded in the technical crafts required to make digital films. This includes the Diploma in Film and Creative Media Arts as well as the Diploma in 3D Animation..

“We provide our students a firm grounding in all the essential crafts needed for digital filmmaking, along with the flexibility to develop different students at a pace that is optimized for their interests and emphasis,”, said Timm Doolen, FMA Academic Director, adding that the school’s industry-seasoned instructors provide very practical pedagogy alongside their wealth of industry experience to prepare students to function in the professional world of film and television after graduation.

FMA Chief Executive Officer Jeanette Tongoy can never be more precise in revealing one of the school’s objectives

“We want to enable students to gain competency in all the technical crafts of digital filmmaking, including cinematography, editing, and sound recording/mixing.” she said.

“To us, the only way to produce professionally-skilled students is to give them adequate hands-on production experience, as much as they can, , instructed by industry professionals, to handle the latest state-of-the-art film and sound equipment which we are very proud to have,” Tongoy added.

Looking at an increase in international enrolment from the ASEAN region, FMA’s location is seen as a strategic decision.

“Cebu’s rich culture and expanding arts, coupled with Filipino hospitality, ensure that our students have a ready environment for their creative pursuits. Apart from producing a wealth of talented filmmakers, another goal of FMA is to make Cebu City the Film City of the South,” the CEO said.