Highlights included an excerpt from Lydia Erickson’s (MFA 2022 Social Documentary Film) stirring documentary Fire Season, which takes on the effects of climate change ravaging her hometown in northern California; Midas, a fresh and hilarious take on the infamous king and his insatiable need for gold from BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects graduates Lisa Qingyi Liu, Ben Meyer and Mav Vitale; Anna Sørrig’s (MPS 2022 Directing) bittersweet Dying to Survive, based on a true story of mental health struggles within a family; Emma Sawyer’s (BFA 2022 Animation) Parallels at Hand, a vibrant love letter to New York City’s multitudes told through the countless ways we use our hands; and many more from programs including BFA Design, BFA Film, BFA Photography and Video, MFA Computer Arts and MFA Photography, Video and Related Media.

On Friday, June 3, SVA hosted four panels of alumni and other professionals working in the film and animation industries, giving the emerging graduates access to insider expertise as they embark on their post-SVA careers. In one session, producer and director Zachary Drucker (BFA 2005 Photography and Video) and producer Peter Phok (BFA 2003 Film and Video) joined veteran and Academy Award-winning sound mixer Mark Ulano, sound designer Patrushkha Mierzwa, and producer and director Michael Davis to discuss how to create a safe and equitable environment, and how to be a force for change in the industry. In particular, Drucker (The Lady and The Dale, Transparent) spoke about demanding respect and maintaining integrity in an evolving Hollywood, with a focus on transparency and good alchemy on set. Phok (X, The Innkeepers) shared his experiences working with micro budgets and emphasized the importance of lasting relationships—he met his longtime creative partner Ti West (BFA 2003 Film and Video) when both were students at SVA.

Recent graduates screened their films, met industry experts and alumni and practiced the fine art of networking.

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