What does your financial situation look like? USC and NYU tend to be a little stingy with aid.
I would definitely look at Syracuse. VPA and Newhouse are well-regarded in the world of film. But they can also be stingy with aid. Oh, and it’s a little cold up there (although that’s the same with Ithaca, too).
Do you have any PSAT scores?
Michigan and UCLA would be higher reaches (assuming OOS).
Vassar and Wesleyan are definitely reaches, but they’re a tad easier to get into as a male. If he gets a 1400+, he would be a solid applicant at these schools.
Chapman and LMU have outstanding film programs…however, be aware that the film programs are more competitive then the general admissions rate.
UNC School of the Arts; Emerson; CalArts, too (admissions is portfolio-heavy at these schools).
Boston University, Wisconsin-Madison, Skidmore, SCAD, RISD, UMiami, UTampa, U Central Florida, Florida State, Pratt, and some other state flagships are all worth a look, too.
No AP can hurt, but being in a specialized program might balance it out.
On another note, why film? It’s an amazing industry, but it’s quite competitive. He may be working with low salaries for the first few years out of college, so I would be careful with financial considerations.