The alumni-focused television, film, animation, and visual effects fest begins on Tuesday, September 24, at the SVA Theatre.
Join SVA and SVA Theatre Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, for the College’s 10th annual alumni film and animation festival.
Next week, the School of Visual Arts presents its 10th annual After School Special, a festival organized by SVA Theatre Director Adam Natale that showcases the work of some of the College’s most accomplished alumni in film, television, animation, and visual effects. A curated roster of screenings by 35 SVA graduates representing 11 academic departments, After School Special is free and open to the public and runs Thursday, September 24, through Sunday, September 29, at the SVA Theatre. Audiences are invited to take a deeper dive into the artistry of industry-leading alumni during Q&A sessions that accompany each screening. Guests can also enjoy a unique selection of videos by SVA graduates in the theater’s lobby.
Below is a full schedule and list of participants (subject to change), which can also be found at svatheatre.eventbrite.com.
Tuesday, September 24
7:30pm | Hangdog (2023)
SVA Theatre is pleased to present the New York City premiere of this comedy about an anxiety-ridden man on a desperate quest to find his stolen dog. Join director and co-writer Matt Cascella (BFA 2008 Film and Video), star Desmin Borges (You’re the Worst), and other cast and crew for a conversation following the film. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, September 25
7:30pm | Hairspray (1988) on 35mm film with special guests Murray Hill and Julie Klausner
While no SVA alumni were involved in the making of John Waters’s Hairspray, two notable SVA alumni, Somebody Somewhere’s Murray Hill (MFA 1997 Photography and Related Media) and Difficult People’s Julie Klausner (MFA 2007 Illustration as Visual Essay), selected it as one of their favorite films to watch and discuss. Following the screening, the two actor-writer-comedians take the stage for a fun, funny, and intimate chat!
Thursday, September 26
7:30pm | Igualada (2024)
Direct from the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, this engaging, timely documentary follows Black Colombian activist Francia Márquez on her dark-horse campaign for Colombia’s presidency. Join producer Daniela Alatorre (MFA 2015 Social Documentary Film) for a discussion following the screening. Click here to RSVP.
Friday, September 27
8:00pm | SVA Premieres: Best of 2024
SVA Theatre spotlights exceptional live-action, documentary, and animated shorts by some of the College’s most recent graduates. Join many of the filmmakers and artists who will be in attendance for the screening. Click here to RSVP.
Saturday, September 28
2:00pm | Forget Me Not: Inclusion in the Classroom (2021)
This insightful documentary, set within New York City’s public school system, follows 3-year-old Emilio and his family as they find themselves embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities—securing the right to an inclusive education. After the film, join director Olivier Bernier (BFA 2006 Film and Video) as he discusses his journey as both the filmmaker and one of the film’s subjects. Click here to RSVP.
7:30pm | Barbie (2023)
Last year’s blockbuster is back on the big screen for one night only, followed by a conversation with graduates from SVA’s BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects and MFA Computer Arts programs. Join these visual-effects artists as they discuss how their behind-the-scenes artistry brought Barbie to life. Click here to RSVP.
Sunday, September 29
2:00pm | Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
This Academy Award-nominated animated film follows Miles Morales as he catapults across the “multiverse.” Following the film, hear from three artists who helped take the web-slinger from the comic book to the screen — David Bleich (BFA 1992 Illustration), David Han (BFA 2008 Computer Art, Computer Animation, and Visual Effects), and Tatchapon Lertwirojkul (MFA 2007 Computer Art). Click here to RSVP.
Seating for After School Special events is on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary and do not guarantee entrance. Doors will open approximately 30 minutes before each screening. All events are free and open to the public and take place at SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street.
Please contact svatheatre@sva.edu with questions. Guests and films are subject to change. SVA Theatre would like to thank their promotional partners, including Asian American Arts Alliance, ASIFA-East, Center for Communication, Human Pictures, New York International Children’s Film Festival, New York Women in Film and Television, Rota6, Visual Effects Society, Women in Animation, and Writers Guild of America-East.