International students interested in honing their film skills at one of the top learning institutions in the field just got a big boost, thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Furthering its relationship with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, the HFPA will endow USC/SCA with $2 million to provide financial support exclusively to international students.

The gift, jointly announced by SCA’s Dean Elizabeth M. Daley and HFPA President Lorenzo Soria, establishes The Hollywood Foreign Press Association Endowed International Student Support Fund, and is the largest and most substantial endowment earmarked specifically for deserving students who hail from outside the United States.  Students who receive funds will be known as HFPA International Scholars.

The fund will ensure that qualified students are not denied the opportunity of attending the school because of financial circumstances- and endeavor made harder for non-US applicants, without access to several financial resources.

States Dean Daley: “We are incredibly grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for this generous and impactful gift for international students.  It will allow us to attract and fund the education of diverse storytellers from around the world, which is an important step towards enacting real change within our industry. Support like this is usually talked about but never instituted, so we are indebted to the HFPA for having the vision to actually do it.  We look forward to seeing the global impact the HFPA International Scholars will make.”

 “Speaking for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association it has been our pleasure and honor for years to help hopeful storytellers and the industry leaders of tomorrow experience the best education possible, in hopes that they may pursue their dreams to share their stories and have their distinct voices heard,” said Lorenzo Soria. “We are proud to continue this tradition with such a distinguished institution as USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.”

 Ron Meyer, Vice Chairman of NBC Universal and a USC parent, adds: “The Hollywood Foreign Press has made a thoughtful investment that will go toward bringing unique and diverse voices to the School, and this gift will create new opportunities for young storytellers. As our industry works to reflect the global audience we serve, programs like this are invaluable.”

 “We are indebted to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their foresight and generosity for this endowed gift,” says Jim Gianopulos, former Twentieth Century Fox Film Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and member of the USC School of Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors. “One of the many ways the face of the industry can change is by making it possible for new and diverse voices to have access to the best training in the cinematic arts. The HFPA’s support toward this endeavor will indeed help make this change possible as there is no better place for this training, support and access than at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.”

Prospective students interested in the HFPA Fund should contact USC-SCA at the office of Student Services at 213-740-8358 or via email at admissions@cinema.usc.edu