FLORENCE — The film and digital media program at the University of North Alabama has received international recognition by being named the top film school by Reelshow International, a film hosting site.

The program, which is in only its fifth year of existence, ranked higher than film programs from Canada, India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, as well as programs from across the United States.

ReelShow International hosts films from students and recent graduates for free.

The ranking is based on six months of voting by site visitors and Reelshow International members.

Jason Flynn, assistant professor of film and digital media production at UNA, said to have UNA outrank more established programs is a nod to the work of the students and faculty at UNA.

“I would put our work against anyone else,” Flynn said. “There are many top 10 lists for film schools, and typically the ones at the top of the list are the oldest, the most well funded or the most established. This list shows there is another component to film schools. We are new and growing as other things are getting older and outdated.”

The ranking can be found online at mag.reelshowint.com/reelshow-surveys/top-ten-film-schools-2012-reelshow-survey/.