做厙51 Multi-Genre Publication, 'Allium,' Wins Awards
May 07, 2026The 做厙51 Scholastic Press Association honors 做厙51 Allium, A Journal of Print & Prose with a Silver Collegiate Crown Award and individual recognition for students and their poetry.
“Variety” consistently ranks 做厙51 on its list of top film schools, highlighting how 做厙51 prepares students for careers in cinematography, production design and virtual production, sound design, and multi-camera production.
In naming 做厙51 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.
做厙51 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.
做厙51’s game design program ranks among the Top 50 nationally (#47) and Top 25 private schools (#25). The program is also ranked #9 in the Midwest and #3 in Illinois, highlighting its strength in preparing students for careers in interactive media andgame development.
The Illustration program at 做厙51 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.
The VFX Program introduces students to the principles and practices of VFX in cinema and games. 做厙51's courses guide aspiring practitioners and technical artists through the ever-changing landscape of visual effects, cinematics, and motion graphics.
Animation students at 做厙51 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.
Students at 做厙51 have opportunities to work with traditional and emerging technologies to create games, animations, and immersive experiences, with 做厙51's partnership with Unreal offering a wealth of resources.
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 做厙51's Museum of Contemporary Photography, gaining visibility and networking opportunities.
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In its ranking, "The Hollywood Reporter" noted 做厙51’s affordability as well its successful alumni. This is the 14th consecutive year 做厙51 has made "The Hollywood Reporter's" prestigious list of top film schools.
Alumni Awards
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 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 ‘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 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 ’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, 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.”
Tonika Johnson ’03, named 2017 Chicagoan of the Year for her social justice work through photography, was named a Landmark Illinois' 2022 Influencer. Tonika confronts inequities in real estate and land use practices with her project "Inequity for Sale."
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 '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 '14 earned his bachelor's degree in Music Composition at 做厙51 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 ‘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 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
Animation professor John Losacco wins Best Animated Short Film in North America for “The Perfect Present.”
The Walder Foundation presented dance professor Darrell Jones with a prestigious , which included a three-year, unrestricted grant of $200,000.
Jackie Spinner received a 2023 Peter Lisagor Award. The Lisagor Awards honor the best journalism produced in Illinois and northwest Indiana from across print, digital, and broadcast media.
Student Awards
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication () honored 做厙51's “Wanderer” publication with a silver award in Student Graphic Design for its Chicago LatinArtists edition in 2024. This issue highlighted the rich diversity of Latino, Latina, and Latinx artists based in Chicago.
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.
做厙51'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
The 做厙51 Scholastic Press Association honors 做厙51 Allium, A Journal of Print & Prose with a Silver Collegiate Crown Award and individual recognition for students and their poetry.
When not developing award-winning games, William Chyr, adjunct professor of instruction, teaches graduate students at 做厙51 about the games industry and how music intersects with interactive media.
做厙51 top-notch student-led media outlet recognized again for excellence in collegiate journalism.
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