Screening

MFA Social Documentary Film presents the 13th Annual SocDoc Thesis Showcase featuring films from the class of 2023, including work by Sulite Bao, Sohee Jeon, Jessy Price, Hannah Rafkin, Xiaoying Echo Su, Frank Vitale, Xinyu Tina Xu, Yan Mengyu and Qinkai Kell Yang. Additional graduate not screening is Yunhao Li.

Films will screen in person at the SVA Theatre in New York City on Friday, September 29, and Saturday, September 30. In addition, all films will also screen online Friday, September 29 – Sunday, October 8. RSVP at the link above to receive streaming links, to attend any in-person screenings or online Q&As and to receive program updates. RSVP is required for all events. All events are free and open to the public.

In-Person Screening Schedule:

Friday, September 29 **Friday screenings are rescheduled for Saturday due to the rain**

Saturday, September 30

11:30am — May All Be Wed, Tina Xu

12:50pm — The Designer, Frank Vitale

2:00pm — Wangmo&Pema, Yan Mengyu

3:00pm — Film Noir Cinema, Kell Yang 

4:00pm — Dark Denim, Sulite Bao

5:10pm — Fighting Back, Echo Su 

6:30pm — Keeper , Hannah Rafkin *Showcase Spotlight*

7:50pm — New Masculinities , Jessy Price *Showcase Spotlight*

9:00 – 10:30pm — Filmmakers' Reception

Monday, October 2 (Online)

5:00pm ET — Online Q&A via Zoom with Sohee Jeon, I'll Be There For You (watch the film online in advance to participate!)

Thesis Showcase Industry Advisors

Selected filmmakers have the opportunity to share their films with a group of documentary Industry Advisors who can potentially help further their projects—and careers. Filmmakers selected for Showcase Spotlight are Jessy Price (New Masculinities) and Hannah Rafkin (Keeper).

In addition, graduates also receive complimentary membership in the International Documentary Association. And, all graduates will receive career strategy consultations from the Industry Advisors.

Industry Advisors include:

Beth Hoppe, founder, Cricket Hill Media and creative lead, ABC News Studios

Christina Kiely, producer/director/writer

Nick McCarthy, director of programming, NewFest: LGBTQ+ Film and Media, New York

Paola Mottura, director, Film Fund, Sundance Institute

Nick Ravich, director of video programming and Production, Art21

Ariel Richter, director, Documentary, Fifth Season

Merrill Sterritt, co-director, IF/Then Shorts

Milton Tabbot, documentary film consultant

Nicole Tsien, producer

Ana Veselic, director, editor and partner, Cousins

Isaac Zablocki, co-founder, ReelAbilities Film Festival

SVA wants to ensure persons with disabilities have access to this event. If you are a person with a disability who requires accommodations to access or participate in this event, please reach out to our department mfasocdoc@sva.edu or to SVA Disability Resources disabilityresources@sva.edu at least seven business days prior to the start of the event.

SVA MFA Social Documentary Film is a two-year master’s degree program where emerging talents hone their filmmaking skills and find their creative voice in a community of working-professional filmmaker faculty and a diverse cohort of other curious graduate students.

See more MFA Social Documentary Film or SVA Shows 2023 events.