12th Annual SocDoc Thesis Showcase

Presented by MFA Social Documentary Film

September 29 - October 9, 2022

SVA SocDoc 12th Thesis Showcase Trailer

Edited by Aom Prapaporn Pinyopusarerk (SocDoc Class of 2016)

SVA Theatre

333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

Reception

Sat, Oct 1; 9:00 - 10:30pm

NOTICE

In accordance with SVA COVID-19 protocols. The public may attend the screening on Saturday, October 1 by registering at least 48 hours in advance. All visitors must show proof of vaccination (including booster, if eligible) and remain masked while indoors.

RSVP Here for In-Person and Online Screenings

MFA Social Documentary Film presents the 12th Annual SocDoc Thesis Showcase featuring films from the class of 2022, including work by Lydia Erickson, Zhaowei Hu, Sunny Liu, Xinghan Liu, JM Mitchell and Vi Zhao. Additional graduates not screening are Mariana Baldó, Sonja Moses and Jabu Ndlovu.

All films will screen online Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 9 and will be available worldwide.

Select screenings will also occur in-person at SVA Theatre in New York City on Saturday, October 1. RSVP at the link above to receive streaming links, to attend any in-person screenings or online Q&As and to receive program updates. RSVP is required for all events.

SVA Theatre COVID Protocols

Filmmaker Q&As

Saturday, October 1

Live screenings followed by Q&As in-person at the SVA Theatre

6:00pm – As the Curtain Drops, Vi Zhao

7:10pm – Also Beloved, directed by JM Mitchell

8:15pm – Fire Season, Lydia Erickson *Showcase Spotlight*

Screenings will be followed by an in-person reception for SocDoc Filmmakers and their guests at 9:00pm. This reception is invitation only.

Monday, October 3, 10:00am ET

Virtual Q&As via Zoom – Watch the films online in advance September 29 – October 9. RSVP above to receive access via a link.

Heavers, Zhaowei Hu

Pianoman, Sunny Liu *Showcase Spotlight*

Ain't a Daydream of Mine, Xinghan Liu *Showcase Spotlight*

Thesis Showcase Spotlight

Selected filmmakers have the opportunity to share their films with a group of documentary Industry Advisors who can potentially help further their projects and careers. The filmmakers selected for this year’s spotlight are: Lydia Erickson (Fire Season), Sunny Liu (Pianoman) and Xinghan Liu (Ain’t a Daydream of Mine).

All graduates also receive free one-year memberships to essential filmmaker support organizations including:

The Gotham Film & Media Institute – providing career-building resources, access to industry influencers and pathways to wider recognition. This membership includes a subscription to Filmmaker Magazine.
International Documentary Association (IDA) – supporting the vital work of documentary storytellers and champions a thriving and inclusive documentary culture.
Video Consortium – supporting the world’s nonfiction filmmakers.

In addition, all graduates will receive career strategy consultations from the Industry Advisors (partial list):

Caitlin Mae Burke, Co-Director, IF/Then Shorts
Jannat Gargi, Senior Vice President, Head of Documentaries, Westbrook
Keisha N. Knight, Director, IDA Funds, International Documentary Association
Sarah Lash, Senior Director, Acquisitions, Conde Nast
Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming, NewFest: LGBTQ+ Film and Media, New York
Susan Wrubel, Executive & Artistic Director, Aspen Film
Hao Wu, filmmaker, 76 Days

SVA MFA Social Documentary Film is a two-year master’s degree program where emerging talents hone their filmmaking skills and find their creative voice in a community of working-professional filmmaker faculty and a diverse cohort of other curious graduate students.