School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents After School Special, the College’s annual film and animation festival showcasing the work of some of its most accomplished alumni in film, television, animation and visual effects. The festival, which is free and open to the public, runs from Sunday, September 19 through Sunday, September 26 at SVA Theatre. This year’s festival will showcase 10 films from nearly 50 SVA alumni participants and will feature one world premiere and two New York City cinematic premieres. 

After School Special features a curated roster of screenings that showcase the high caliber of talent produced by SVA’s academic programs. Audiences are invited to take a deeper dive into filmmaking with behind-the-scenes insights from industry-leading alumni during Q&A sessions that will accompany select screenings. 

Highlights include:

• World premiere of Love is in the Legend, a documentary about 1980s ball culture (specifically the 1988 House of Field ball), edited by Yanni Feder (BFA 2002 Film and Video) and featuring Patricia Field and Marc Jacobs, as well as photographer Tina Paul (BFA 1982 Photography) and artist Keith Haring (BFA 1979 Fine Arts). 
• NYC cinematic premiere of Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own, a documentary about the artist and former SVA faculty member, directed by Daniel Traub (MFA 1998 Photography and Related Media). 
• NYC cinematic premiere of Drunk Bus, co-directed by John Carlucci (BFA 1997 Film and Video) and featuring the paintings of Dan Krupin (BFA 2006 Illustration), which will be on view in the SVA Theatre lobby during this screening. 
• Music videos by Samuel Bayer (BFA 1987 Media Arts), the director behind iconic videos like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Green Day’s “American Idiot,” will be featured in the lobby throughout the festival and Bayer will be present at select screenings for brief Q&As preceding the feature films.

All events will be held at SVA Theatre. Doors will open approximately 30 minutes prior to each screening. Seating for screenings is on a first-come, first-served basis, but all attendees must be masked and provide proof of vaccination (or proof of exemption and a recent negative test) upon entrance to the theatre. RSVPs via Eventbrite are appreciated, but not necessary, and do not guarantee entrance. To RSVP, check festival updates and view the full COVID-19 safety protocols, visit: svatheatre.com.

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

Sunday, September 19

7:00pm | 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. 

Monday, September 20

7:30pm | 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. 

Tuesday, September 21

7:30pm | 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).

Wednesday, September 22

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.

Thursday, September 23 

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.

Friday, September 24

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.

Saturday, September 25

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.

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. 

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. 

Sunday, September 26

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.

SVA Theatre thanks the following organizations for their contributions to After School Special 2021, including Asian American Arts Alliance, ASIFA-East, Center for Communication, FilmRise, GKIDS, Icarus Films, Netflix, NewFest, New York Asian Film Festival, New York Women in Film and Television, and Visual Effects Society.

SVA alumni have been featured in film festivals across the globe, steering their own projects and making integral contributions to blockbuster releases. They have won Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes and awards at festivals such as Sundance, SXSW and the Venice Film Festival. 

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and more than 40,000 alumni in 128 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For information about the College’s 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit sva.edu.