After School Special 2026: SVA’s Alumni Film & Animation Festival

SVA’s Alumni Film & Animation Festival

Featuring some of School of Visual Arts’ most accomplished film, television, animation, and visual effects alumni, this multi-day festival will include screenings 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 events are first-come, first-served.

Doors will open approximately 30 minutes prior to each screening.  Guests can enjoy a special selection of music videos from Annapurna Interactive’s RPG Musical, People of Note, in the lobby while waiting to enter. Alumni from SVA’s BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects program — Timothy Doolen and Ben Meyer — served on the creative team of the video game.

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.

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.

Wednesday 9/23/26

7:00PM Anora (2024)

Hear from production sound mixer Boris Krichevsky (BFA 2017 Film), who was on set for the 2025 Best Picture winner, which racked up a total of five Oscars and the Cannes Palme d’Or! See (and hear) it again — or for the very first time — on the big screen. Click here to RSVP.

Thursday 9/24/26

7:30PM Disability & Visibility

An evening dedicated to bringing visibility to the disability community. Take Me Home (2023) is director Liz Sargent and producer Minos Papas’ (BFA 2004 Film and Video) short film about a cognitively disabled woman struggling to move on after the death of a parent.  Their proof-of-concept short led to the award-winning feature film of the same name that’s opening in New York this week!  Following the short, we’ll welcome director Ben Duffy (BFA 2014 Film and Video) with the world premiere of his experimental feature documentary, No Pinnacle Without The Miraculous (2026), which centers on Duffy’s struggle with bipolar disorder while filming a documentary about those with physical disabilities. Click here to RSVP.

Friday 9/25/26

8:00PM SVA Premieres: Best of 2026

School of Visual Arts spotlights exceptional live action, documentary, and animated shorts by its most recent graduates. Join many of the filmmakers and artists, who will be in attendance. Preceded by a music video from Annapurna Interactive’s RPG musical, People of Note, introduced by Ben Meyer (BFA 2022 Computer Art, Computer Animation, and Visual Effects) of the video game’s creative team. Click here to RSVP.

Saturday 9/26/26

2:00PM KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Join award-winning production designer Dave Bleich (BFA 1992 Illustration) for a screening of Netflix’s 2026 Best Animated Feature Oscar winner.  Preceded by the NYC premiere of the animated short film First Haircut by Disney·Pixar artist Ivo Kos (MFA 1991 Computer Art). Click here to RSVP.

7:30PM The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo (2025)

Netflix’s compelling documentary traces the origins of one of the most-recognized photographs of the 20th century, “Napalm Girl”.  Join director Bao Nguyen (MFA 2011 Social Documentary Film) for a remarkable discussion after the film. Click here to RSVP.

Sunday 9/27/26

2:00PM Cutting Through Rocks (2025)

Filmmakers Sara Khaki (MFA 2011 Social Documentary Film) and Mohammadreza Eyni will be on hand to screen and discuss their riveting, Academy Award-nominated documentary, about the first female councilor of an Iranian village. Click here to RSVP.

Keep an eye on our calendar and sign up for our newsletter (below), as an additional film may be announced at a later date!

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

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