SVA’s 2021 Alumni Film & Animation Festival

Featuring some of School of Visual Arts’ most accomplished film, television, animation, and visual effects alumni, this week-long festival will include screenings, premieres, and Q&A’s with industry insiders that offer behind-the-scenes looks at the world of television and cinema. A full schedule and list of participants is below (subject to change) and can also be found at svatheatre.eventbrite.com.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  RSVPs via the Eventbrite pages linked below are appreciated, but not necessary, and do not guarantee entrance — all screenings are first-come, first-served.

Please click here for our current COVID protocols for guests.

Doors will open approximately 30 minutes prior to each screening, and guests can enjoy music videos by Samuel Bayer (BFA 1987 Media Arts) in the lobby while waiting to enter.  Bayer, the director behind iconic videos like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Green Day’s “American Idiot”, will be present at select screenings for brief Q&As preceding the feature films.

All events are free and open to the public and take place at SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011. Directions, as well as local restaurants, hotels, and attractions, can be found here.  SVA Theatre does not offer concessions, but will offer water to guests.  Food and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

If you would like to attend any of these events, but require assistive devices and/or accommodations, please email [email protected] or call 212-592-2980 at least one week prior to the event.

Sunday 9/19/21

7:00PM World Premiere: Love Is In The Legend (2021)

This new documentary about the 1980’s ball scene — specifically the 1988 House of Field ball — features interviews with ball icons, as well as fashion icons Patricia Field and Marc Jacobs.  Editor Yanni Feder (BFA 2002 Film and Video) and photographer Tina Paul (BFA 1982 Photography) join the Q&A with the film’s subjects and director.  Click here to RSVP.

Monday 9/20/21

7:30PM NYC Cinematic Premiere: Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own (2019)

This new documentary traces the story of the acclaimed sculptor, former SVA faculty member Ursula von Rydingsvard.  Join the artist herself and director Daniel Traub (MFA 1998 Photography and Related Media) for a conversation following the film.  Click here to RSVP.

Tuesday 9/21/21

7:30PM NYC Cinematic Premiere: Drunk Bus (2020)

This new feature — whose SXSW premiere was canceled by the pandemic — follows a directionless campus bus driver during his unpredictable late-night shift. Join numerous alumni who worked on the film, including co-director John Carlucci (BFA 1997 Film and Video) and artists Aditi Khosla (BFA 2014 Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects), Ben Kim (BFA 2002 Graphic Design), and Dan Krupin (BFA 2006 Illustration).  Click here to RSVP.

Wednesday 9/22/21

7:30PM Lydia Lunch: The War is Never Over (2019)

Join director Beth B (BFA 1976 Fine Arts) and MFA Social Documentary alumni filmmakers Megan Orr, Prapaporn Pinyopusarerk-Capo, and Sarah Wainio for a career-spanning documentary retrospective of 1970’s No Wave icon Lydia Lunch and her confrontational and electric artistry. In this time of endless attacks on women, the film is a rallying cry to acknowledge the only thing that is going to bring us together — art.  Click here to RSVP.

Thursday 9/23/21

7:30PM Cryptozoo (2021)

After winning awards earlier this year at Sundance and Berlinale, Dash Shaw (BFA 2005 Illustration) brings his newest adult animated work to SVA.  Featuring the voices of Lake Bell and Michael Cera, the film follows cryptozookeepers as they try to capture a dream-eating creature of legend. Click here to RSVP.

Friday 9/24/21

8:00PM SVA Premieres: Best of 2020 & 2021

School of Visual Arts spotlights exceptional live action, documentary, and animated shorts by its most recent graduates, including films nominated for Student Academy Awards. Join many of the filmmakers and artists, who will be in attendance.  Click here to RSVP.

Saturday 9/25/21

2:00PM Vivo (2021)

See this Netflix feature on the big screen!  Sony Pictures Animation’s first-ever musical adventure features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and follows a music-loving kinkajou on an epic journey to fulfill his destiny.  Join the animated film’s head of cinematography/layout, Yong Duk Jhun (MFA 2000 Computer Art), following the film.  Click here to RSVP.

7:30PM In the Heights (2021)

Get a double-dose of Lin-Manuel Miranda on Saturday, as the cinematic version of his Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about life in Washington Heights lights up the big screen.  Join several SVA BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects alumni after the film, as they discuss how their behind-the-scenes artistry brought the film to life.  Click here to RSVP.

11:59PM The Midnight Gospel (2020)

We’ll host a midnight screening of three episodes from the series with several SVA BFA Animation alumni who worked with Titmouse Animation to create this acclaimed adult animated show for Netflix, which follows Clancy, a spacecaster with a malfunctioning multiverse simulator, who leaves the comfort of his home to interview beings living in dying worlds. Click here to RSVP.

Sunday 9/26/21

2:30PM Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

One of Disney’s newest animated features follows a warrior named Raya, who is determined to find the last dragon in Kumandra.  Multiple SVA BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects alumni will be present to discuss their work on the film’s opulent animation. Click here to RSVP.

We would like to thank our promotional partners, including:  Asian American Arts Alliance, ASIFA-East, Center for Communication, DOCNYC, FilmRise, GKIDS, Icarus Films, New York Asian Film Festival, New York International Children’s Film Festival, New York Women in Film and Television, Visual Effects Society, and Women in Animation.

Please contact [email protected] with questions. Guests and films subject to change.

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